Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems

Owners filed 42 complaints about the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara with NHTSA between Feb 2009 and Mar 2026. The most-cited component is exterior lighting (20).

Complaints
42
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Exterior lighting20
  2. Air bags12
  3. Electrical system10
  4. Engine3
  5. Suspension2
  6. Seats1
  7. Power train1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1
  10. Wheels1
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  12. Seat belts1
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20093
20102
20112
20124
20138
20147
20154
20163
20172
20183
20191
20200
20210
20220
20230
20241
20251
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Exterior lighting

20 reports
“MY SUZUKI GRAND VITARA IS A 2007. BOUGHT NEW. I DIDN'T HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE LIGHTING UNTIL AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT.THEN I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BULBS BURNING OUT, BUT ONLY ONE AT A TIME SEVERAL MONTHS APART. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS. NOW I CARRY SPARE BULBS FOR HIGH AND LOW BEAMS, THAT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE WHEN IT HAS 2 BE DINE 2 OR THREE TIMES A YEAR. THEN ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH LEVER AND KNOB THAT CHANGES THE LIGHT FUNCTION SETTING SETTINGS EVEN TO THE POINT OF BEING STOP BY HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICERS STOPPING ME BECAUSE I HAD NO TAIL LIGHTS BUT MANAGED TO PLAY WITH THE SETTINGS KNOB TO GET THEM WORKING. I'VE HAD NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND IT HAS OVER 142,00 MILES ON IT. THE LAST BULB I CHANGED WAS ON A CROSS COUNTRY TRIP TO OHIO FROM CALIFORNIA IN MAY OF 2018.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2018Exterior lightingODI 11123045

Air bags

12 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The Air Bag Light remain on . The vehicle was checked in a scanner and the codes B1312 and B1319 where found..I want to know if are recalls for this car. If yes What dealer in Puerto Rico can repair it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2025Air bags, SeatsODI 11677174

Electrical system

10 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED AND TURNED OFF, ONE SHORTLY AFTER THE OTHER. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUZUKI OF GREEN BROOK (101 US-22, GREEN BROOK TOWNSHIP, NJ 08812) WHO STATED THAT BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO NOTICED THAT THE ADAPTER, SOCKETS, AND FUSES WERE ALL BURNED DUE TO A HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT FLOWING INTO THE ASSEMBLIES. THE ADAPTERS, SOCKETS, AND HEAD LAMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THE UNDERLYING ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST OR ESCALATE THE CASE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2017Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 10995608

Engine

3 reports
“While stopped at traffic light at idle, I can hear a knocking noise in the engine compartment. Took it to my mechanic, and believe it is coming from the lower engine. He removed the oil pan and found that the rod and crankshaft bearing has movement. The car is 2008 and only has 36,000 miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2026EngineODI 11721909

Suspension

2 reports
“THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. IT IS WEARING THE BACK TIRES DOWN TO NOTHING REALLY FAST AND MAKING LOUD ROARING NOISES. WHEN DRIVING IT THROWS YOU ALL OVER THE ROAD MAKING IT VERY POSSIBLE TO HIT ON COMING TRAFFIC. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE PARKED IT AND WILL NOT BE DRIVING UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2012Suspension, WheelsODI 10468159

Seats

1 report1 related recall
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.