Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
1425–50K
1150–75K
1075–100K
14100–150K
4150K+
62 reports with mileage · 12 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
My car was running when I checked it into the vechicle repair shop at Firestone address of 2311 Military rd Niagara Falls, New York 14304. When it got tolled back to my address it did not turn over. They said it was the battery but when I had a knew battery adjusted in my vechicle it still did not work. Therefore the issues is o…
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My car was running when I checked it into the vechicle repair shop at Firestone address of 2311 Military rd Niagara Falls, New York 14304. When it got tolled back to my address it did not turn over. They said it was the battery but when I had a knew battery adjusted in my vechicle it still did not work. Therefore the issues is on the Firestone repair to cover any charges at another shop to get repaired at the cost they charge.
NHTSA ODI #11449826
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System
I have went through 2 engines 2 timing chains and 4 loans to keep this suv running 3999.98 for the first engine and the same for the second 1200 times 2 for the timing chain if you know a vehicle has this many problems why haven't you removed it. It's not safe or reliable now my locks don't want to lock unlock I have 14 differen…
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I have went through 2 engines 2 timing chains and 4 loans to keep this suv running 3999.98 for the first engine and the same for the second 1200 times 2 for the timing chain if you know a vehicle has this many problems why haven't you removed it. It's not safe or reliable now my locks don't want to lock unlock I have 14 different error codes on my check engine light after I put the second engine in! In less than a year!!!
NHTSA ODI #11427124
187,000 miles · Nov 27, 2020
Engine
THE VEHICLE TIMING IS OFF, DUE TO FAULTY TIMING EQUIPMENT. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL?
NHTSA ODI #11376528
115,000 miles · Jun 5, 2017
Engine
RECEIVED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CODES WERE AS BEFORE POINTED TO A STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME FOR THIS VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAID THIS TIME IT WAS FROM LOW OIL PRESSURE. WHY WAS THERE NOT A LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT IF IT WILL RUIN ENGINE COMPONENTS? SUZUKI HAS A TSB FOR TIMING CHAINS AND INDIVIDUAL PART NUMBERS F…
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RECEIVED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CODES WERE AS BEFORE POINTED TO A STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME FOR THIS VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAID THIS TIME IT WAS FROM LOW OIL PRESSURE. WHY WAS THERE NOT A LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT IF IT WILL RUIN ENGINE COMPONENTS? SUZUKI HAS A TSB FOR TIMING CHAINS AND INDIVIDUAL PART NUMBERS FOR THESE KITS WHICH TELLS ME THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10993327
120,000 miles · May 5, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI XL7. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT AND TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE TIMING CHAIN BELT FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI XL7. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT AND TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE TIMING CHAIN BELT FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10983686
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineStructure
MY 2008 XL7 HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THE SUNROOF HAS KEPT LEAKING INTO THE CABIN LIGHTS AND INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE CEILING REQUIRING 2 VISIT TO A BODY SHOP TO FIX THE SEAL. MY TRANSMISSION CONTROL REQUIRED REPLACING DUE TO MY CAR JERKING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW KEEPS COMING OFF…
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MY 2008 XL7 HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THE SUNROOF HAS KEPT LEAKING INTO THE CABIN LIGHTS AND INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE CEILING REQUIRING 2 VISIT TO A BODY SHOP TO FIX THE SEAL. MY TRANSMISSION CONTROL REQUIRED REPLACING DUE TO MY CAR JERKING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW KEEPS COMING OFF THE TRACK. MY BACK DOORS NO LONGER UNLOCK EXCEPT FROM THE INSIDE. MY RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW NO LONGER ROLLS DOWN AT ALL. NOW MY PAINT IS PEELING ABOVE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS. THE PAINT LOOKED BUMPY AND PEELED OFF AFTER A RECENT STORM. UNDERNEATH IS A WHITE POWDER COATING AND IT'S RUSTED UNDERNEATH AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #10954017
110,000 miles · Sep 19, 2016
EnginePower Train
WE WERE DRIVING WITH NO ISSUES AND CHK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DROVE IN TECHNICIAN STATED OVER TWO QTS LOW ON OIL. HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON VEHICLE AND WARRANTY REQUIRED INSPECTION. THIS IS THE REPORT: INSPECTION FINDINGS TECHNICIAN HAS DOCUMENTED HAD CODE P0018 CAM SHAFT/CRANKSHAFT CORRELATION CODE AND CODE P0008 CAM POSIT…
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WE WERE DRIVING WITH NO ISSUES AND CHK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DROVE IN TECHNICIAN STATED OVER TWO QTS LOW ON OIL. HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON VEHICLE AND WARRANTY REQUIRED INSPECTION. THIS IS THE REPORT: INSPECTION FINDINGS TECHNICIAN HAS DOCUMENTED HAD CODE P0018 CAM SHAFT/CRANKSHAFT CORRELATION CODE AND CODE P0008 CAM POSITION PERFORMANCE CODE WAS IN SYSTEM, TECHNICIAN STATED ENGINE WAS 2 QUARTS LOW ON OIL WHEN VEHICLE ARRIVED, OIL STICKER IN WINDSHIELD STATES NEXT OIL CHANGE AT 113574 MILES AND VEHICLE NOW HAS 114588 MILES, TECHNICIAN HAS REMOVED BOTH VALVE COVERS AND REAR CYLINDER HEAD APPEARS DRY AND CAM LOBES ON REAR CAM/EXHAUST SHAFT ARE SCORED AND BEARING CAPS ARE DARKER IN COLOR THAN THE FRONT CYLINDER HEAD CAMSHAFT BEARINGS, REAR CYLINDER HEAD LOOKS DARKER IN COLOR DUE TO LACK OF OIL PRESSURE TO REAR CYLINDER, TECHNICIAN HAS REMOVED CAM BEARING ON FRONT AND REAR CYLINDER HEADS AND BEARINGS ARE JUST SLIGHTLY SCORED, NO TEARDOWN HAS BEEN PERFORM TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF FAILURE, NO TEARDOWN HAS BEEN FORMED COULD NOT DETERMINE IF TIMING CHAIN IS STRETCHED OR IF ANY TIMING COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED, FURTHER TEARDOWN WOULD BE NEEDED TO DETERMINE IF FAILURE IS FROM LACK OF OIL OR MANUFACTURE DEFECT. NO SIGN OF ANY EXTERNAL FLUID LEAKS, AND REPAIR FACILITY STATED VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN BEFORE FOR LOW OIL, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN BEFORE FOR OIL CHANGES NO NOTES RELATING TO LOW OIL. THIS IS THE SAME STORY AS MANY RELATED ISSUES WITH THE SUZUKI ENGINE. THE OFFICIAL REPORT IS UPLOADED AS WELL. IF THERE ARE NO ISSUES WITH ENGINE, THEN WHY DID SUZUKI PUT OUT TIMING CHAIN SERVICE KITS SPECIFIC TO THIS ERROR?
NHTSA ODI #10907712
98,000 miles · Jul 11, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI XL7. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA ODI #10884090
98,000 miles · Mar 30, 2016
Engine
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WAS TOLD BY OUR LOCAL GARAGE THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEEDED SPECIAL TOOLS TO DO THE JOB, SO WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO A FORMER SUZUKI DEALER THAT STILL HAD SPECIALTY TOOLS AND HAD IT FIXED FOR $2200. FORMER DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. ALSO CONTACTED SUZU…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WAS TOLD BY OUR LOCAL GARAGE THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEEDED SPECIAL TOOLS TO DO THE JOB, SO WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO A FORMER SUZUKI DEALER THAT STILL HAD SPECIALTY TOOLS AND HAD IT FIXED FOR $2200. FORMER DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. ALSO CONTACTED SUZUKI USA AND FILED A COMPLAINT.
NHTSA ODI #10852573
118,374 miles · Mar 21, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITHOUT BEING INFORMED THAT APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES PRIOR THE VEHICLE HAD MAJOR ENGINE ISSUES, AS THE TIMING CHAINS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITH A WARRANTY THAT THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND DEALERSHIP FAIL TO COMPLY WITH. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT VARIOUS ISSUES THE …
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I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITHOUT BEING INFORMED THAT APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES PRIOR THE VEHICLE HAD MAJOR ENGINE ISSUES, AS THE TIMING CHAINS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITH A WARRANTY THAT THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND DEALERSHIP FAIL TO COMPLY WITH. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT VARIOUS ISSUES THE VEHICLE HAS HAD SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF TAKING IT OFF THE LOT, YET THE DEALER REFUSES TO CORRECT ANY ISSUES. WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON ROUTE 65 IN MID JANUARY, THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO VIOLENTLY JERK AND BUCK, WHILE LOOSING SPEED. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED IT OFF, WHILE STILL ON THE HIGHWAY. I LET THE VEHICLE SIT, HAVING TO THE VEHICLE TOWED TO BE DIAGNOSED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, I FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. AFTER GETTING A SECOND OPINION, I FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAINS WERE PROBABLY THE ISSUE. I BEGAN TO CONDUCT RESEARCH ON THE VEHICLE ITSELF AND FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAINS WERE CHANGED AT 97K. NOW I AM STUCK WITH PAYING ON A DEFECTIVE UNSAFE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10850687
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2008 Suzuki XL7 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year