2008 Suzuki SX4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
101 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 75 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 68 of 101 complaints (67.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 6.9% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 4.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 68 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Seat Belts | 10 |
| Seats | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
Air Bags: 68; Electrical System: 12; Seat Belts: 10; Seats: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Engine: 5; Power Train: 3; Structure: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 27 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 23 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 27; 50,000 to 74,999: 23; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (27). 26 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 25 |
| 2012 | 26 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2010: 9; 2011: 25; 2012: 26; 2013: 8; 2014: 12; 2015: 8; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 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 10290020 · 2009-10-27 (October 27, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SX4 CROSSOVER. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RESURFACED. ALSO THE FRONT TIRES AND THE DRIVER-SIDE BRAKES HAVE PREMATURELY FAILED . THE DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10290020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10371035 · 2010-12-17 (December 17, 2010)
WHEN TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE COMES FORWARD CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL. I LOST CONTROL ON A STRAIGHT ROAD BECAUSE I APPLIED THE BRAKES ON A POWDERED SNOW COVERED ROAD. I DIDN'T SLAM THE BRAKES, I LIGHTLY APPLIED THEM. AFTER GOING OFF THE ROAD, THE CAR ROLLED IN A VIOLENT SPIN. THE NOSE HIT THE GROUND ON THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER AND BLEW THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE THEN SLAMMED INTO A ROCK WALL WHICH BUCKLED THE ROOF TEN INCHES AND PUSHED THE DRIVER'S SIDE PILLAR POST IN ABOUT EIGHT INCHES, AND PUS…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10371035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10495099 · 2013-01-29 (January 29, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND FLIPPED OVER ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 3/13/13 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10495099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10446215 · 2012-02-02 (February 2, 2012)
THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT OFF" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET EVEN THOUGHT A 170LB PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, WEARING A SEAT BELT. WE WERE NEAR THE AUTHORIZED SUZUKI DEALER IN MILFORD, CT WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR A FEW WEEKS EARLIER, SO I STOPPED IN AND INFORMED THE SALES MANAGER. HE SAID TO SHOW THE SERVICE DEPT. THERE WAS NO ONE IN SERVICE THAT HAD TIME TO SEE THE LIGHT ON SO I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE APPT. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO CODE WHEN THEY SCANNED THE CAR. WE DON'T KNOW IF THIS PRO…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10446215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10489822 · 2012-12-20 (December 20, 2012)
2008 SUZUKI SX4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE DEALER DECEIVED MANY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS BY NOT DISCLOSING PROBLEMS AND NOT SELLING EXTENDED WARRANTIES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10489822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10691860 · 2015-03-03 (March 3, 2015)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO INTERNAL DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON A SECOND OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10224372 · 2008-04-13 (April 13, 2008)
MULTIPLE TIMES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN HARD TO START. IT CRANKS FOR A WHILE BUT DOES NOT START ON THE FIRST TRY. ON THE SECOND IT CRANKS FOR A WHILE AND JUST BARELY STARTS. ONE TIME IT STARTED ON THE THIRD TRY. IT SEEMS LIKE THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT PRIMING THE LINES IN TIME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 490 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224372 at NHTSA ↗