The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: airbags
38 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Hyundai Azera2008 Hyundai Tiburon2008 Toyota Yaris 56
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 35,000 and 56,000 miles (56,000–91,000 km) (the middle half of the 31 complaints, of all 38 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 13V405000 (airbags), 10V513000 (visibility) and 10V392000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Suzuki sent dealers 7 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Replacing 5th gear parts to repair manual transaxle concerns such as popping out of 5th gear”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Suzuki's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 38 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 56K miles (56K to 91K km) on the car (31 of all 38 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
I was a passenger in a Suzuki SX4 2008. Where we slid off the road a hit a log pile. No air bags opened. I broke my femur, neck, jaw, and ribs. Car was totaled and we at least hit the wood at 45 mph.
2008 Suzuki SX4 owner · NHTSA complaint 10405590
More owner reports
Rear window wiper failure, does not work. Passenger air bag none functioning, light comes on dash indicating passenger air bag is off! Remote trunk entry failure, remote latch is not functioning and there is no key entry lock.
NHTSA complaint 10425035
The front driver's side airbag warning light came on and stayed on. There has been no accident or anything out of the ordinary.
NHTSA complaint 10429322
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 7.9M views · 2007–2013 Suzuki SX4
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service484K views
2009 Suzuki SX4: DIY Oil Change How-To VideoDan Edmunds · 346K views · 5 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door289K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2010 Suzuki SX4 | AQ1112Filterheads · 270K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical68K views
Suzuki SX4 - RADIO REMOVAL / REPLACEMENT (2006 - 2013)QuiteAlright · 31K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors68K views
How to remove Front Door Panel Suzuki SX4 2008-2014repairED · 28K views · 4 videos
Show 3 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition9K views
2010 Suzuki SX4 Crank/No Start After Two(2) Engine Swap. P0335 Crank Shaft Sensor MalfunctionDJ AUTOMOTIVE · 9K views - Brakes & ABS9K views
2008 Suzuki SX4 Front Brake Pad ReplacementBob Kovacs · 9K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x42K views
2012 (12) Suzuki SX4 2.0 DDIS SZ5 4X4 5Dr in Galactic Grey. 68k Miles. 10 Services. Local Car. £4750Ted Torques · 2K views
Before you buy, watch
Suzuki SX4 2006-2010 | WHAT TO LOOK FOR | should you buy one??Car and Driving - Car Reviews · 84K views
2007-2013 Suzuki SX4 Ownership Review: Practical and Reliable?CarCareKiosk · 29K views
2011 Suzuki SX4 Off-road Review & DriveThe Fast Lane Car · 605K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Suzuki told dealers about
Suzuki sent dealers 7 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Replacing 5th gear parts to repair manual transaxle concerns such as popping out of 5th gear
- See document search button for owner letter
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Airbags · recall issued 2013
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.
- Visibility · recall issued 2010
SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 SX4 HATCHBACK AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SX4 HATCHBACK AND SEDAN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedOccupant classification system failure2013
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$2,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Suzuki SX4 year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Suzuki SX4 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/suzuki-sx4/?y=2008" title="Suzuki SX4 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/suzuki-sx4/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Suzuki SX4 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Suzuki SX4 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 130; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2008 Suzuki SX4 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (71%), seats (11%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Suzuki SX4 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Suzuki SX4 get?
23 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Suzuki SX4 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 35,000 and 56,000 miles (56,000–91,000 km) (the middle half of the 31 complaints, of all 38 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Suzuki SX4 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Suzuki SX4 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $2,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Suzuki SX4 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Suzuki SX4 year than the 2008?
Not nearby: the 2008 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Suzuki SX4 years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works