NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 101 owner complaints for the 2008 Suzuki SX4. Most complaints involve air bags (74) and electrical system (12). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.
SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 SX4 HATCHBACK AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SX4 HATCHBACK AND SEDAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THREE SCREWS THAT SECURE EACH OF THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS TO THE MIRROR BASE CAN COME LOOSE DUE TO VIBRATION.
SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 SX4, 2010 GRAND VITARA, AND 2009 THROUGH 2010 EQUATOR VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750, 760, AND 765 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSISTENTLY ON AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT IT'S THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT IS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO BE ACTIVATED. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY $2000.00 TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT? SUZUKI SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IF SOMEONE IS HURT OR POSSIBLY KILLED IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG ISN'T ACTIVATED, BECAUSE OF A SEAT MAT THAT THEY PLACED IN THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT SEEMS THAT OTHER DRIVER'S OF SUZUKI SX4 CARS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.”
“RADIO CHANGED OUT 2X AFTER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, LIGHT FOR AIR BAG HAS BEEN ON FOR 3 YRS. BRAKES HAVE HAD TO GET WORKED ON 2X BEFORE IT HIT 50,000, CLIP ON DRIVERSIDE MAT BROKE AFTER 2 MONTHS OF HAVING CAR, DOOR PANELS ON BOTH FRONT AND BACK PASSANGER SIDE KEPT FALLING OFF AND KEPT TAKING CAR BACK TO FIX TILL THEY HAD NO REPLACEMENT PARTS THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD THERE ARE MANY SAFETY ISSUES BLIND SPOTS BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN, AND ALL THE LITTLE ISSUES FROM 2 BATTERIES REPLACED TO 2 SETS OF BRAKE JOBS TO ELECTRICALS TO 3 SETS OF TIRES, AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 80,OOO MILES OR LESS. I'VE HAD IT 9 YRS MOSTLY AS A SECOND CAR AND ALWAYS PROBLEMS INCLUDING PAINT. BUT THE SAFETY ISSUES AND THE CRAP CAR WE WERE SOLD KEPT IT CAUSE NOBODY IN THERE RIGHT MIND WANTS IT I AM 1ST YR OWNER THIS CAR SUCKS FFFFFFF IS WHAT IT SHOULD RATE THE CAR DEALERS WONT FIX IT THEY MAKE YOU COME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT THE PARTS HAVE TO BE FOUND BECAUSE THE PLANT GOT WASHED AWAY AND THE PARTS WITH IT. AND THAT COMPANY WONT LET THEM HOLD PARTS IN THERE SHOPS SO HURRY UP AND WAIT IT IS THE TRAINSHAF IS CRACKED BUT HEY ITS A SECOND CAR THAT COST TOO MUCH AND GIVES TOO LITTLE JUST FOUND…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX4 Sedan Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,400 | 342 |
| SX4 Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| SX4 Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| SX4 Sedan Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| SX4 AWD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| SX4 AWD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 101 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (74), electrical system (12), seat belts (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2008 Suzuki SX4 at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).