2008 Suzuki GRAND VITARA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 42 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 18 |
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Exterior Lighting: 18; Air Bags: 12; Electrical System: 10; Engine: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 2; Suspension: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 4; 2013: 8; 2014: 7; 2015: 4; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10450849 · 2012-03-09 (March 9, 2012)
ESP LIGHT CAME ON, BROUGHT TRUCK TO DEALER, THEY SAY IT HAS A BAD HYDRAULIC BRAKE UNIT AT THE COST OF $1200, SUZUKI WON'T FIX IT EVEN THOUGH THEIR IS ONLY 15101MI ON VEHICLE. MOUSE INFESTATION DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF CABIN BODY VENTS LOCATED BEHIND REAR BUMPER COVER. THERE ARE NO GRILLS IN PLACE OVER THESE VENTS TO KEEP RODENTS OUT, THEY INFESTED THE TRUCK AND HEADLINER AREA URINATING ALL OVER THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND COMPROMISED THEM, I CALLED SUZUKI AND BASICALLY WAS TOLD I'M THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD THIS HAPPENED TO AND BASICALLY DID NOTHING,…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,101 miles reported. Look up ODI 10450849 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10715271 · 2015-05-08 (May 8, 2015)
I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS OF UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION AND REVVING OF THE ENGINE IN MY SUZUKI. EACH TIME I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. BRAKING DOES NOT CAUSE THE CAR TO DOWNSHIFT. I THINK A THROTTLE OR ACCELERATION IS STICKING SIMILAR TO THE RECALLED TOYOTA CARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH PASSENGERS IN THE CAR WHO CAN SUPPORT WHAT HAPPENED. FOLLOWING TWO INCIDENTS, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT COS…
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10715271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10551757 · 2013-11-11 (November 11, 2013)
I HAVE BEEN REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT BULBS IN MY VEHICLE NEARLY EVERY 6 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. LAST YEAR I REPLACED THE RT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY UNIT AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE HOUSING UNIT WAS BURNED AND WOULD NOT SEAT PROPERLY INTO THE ADAPTER. REPLACING THE ADAPTER WAS NOT AN OPTION, SO I INCURRED LABOR AND PARTS EXPENSES. NOW IN THE SHORTER DAYLIGHT FALL SEASON, THE LEFT BULB HAS BLOWN AND THE ADAPTER WAS BEGINNING TO BURN, SO I REPLACED IT. I INSPECTED IT TO CONFIRM THE STATE OF THE UNIT AND IT WAS I…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10551757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10995608 · 2017-06-16 (June 16, 2017)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10995608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10512655 · 2013-05-18 (May 18, 2013)
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A STORE PARKING LOT AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR PUT IT IN REVERSE AND THEN IN DRIVE TO EXIT THE PARKING LOT. WHEN ON THE STREET THE CAR WENT ACROSS THE STREET I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND IT STALLED. WHEN I MY PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS TO GO FORWARD IT DIDN'T RESPOND. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD THREE TIMES ON ITS OWN AND THEN STOPPED REPEATING THIS AGAIN, BUT NOT A THIRD TIME BECAUSE I SHUT THE CAR OFF. THEN I RESTARTED THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO COAST WITH HAZARDS ON TO MY HOUSE UNDER 10 MPH. O SH…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512655 at NHTSA ↗