RoadVitals

1995 Suzuki Esteem

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Jul 18, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Suzuki Esteem, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 6 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes833.3%
  • Engine28.3%
  • Powertrain (other)28.3%
  • Fuel system28.3%
  • Suspension28.3%
  • Tires & wheels28.3%
  • Exterior lighting14.2%
  • Body & structure14.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 13
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 18, 2012

CAR EXHIBITED A TENDENCY TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AT FIRST. AFTER TURNING A CORNER THE CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT. GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE FRONT OF THE CAR WANDERED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. AFTER I PARKED THE CAR AND RE STARTED THE ENGINE WHEN I PUT IT INTO GEAR A LOUD BANGING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND IT DID NOT MOVE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. BANGING STOPPED IN NEUTRAL AND PARK. I JACKED UP THE CAR AND THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED THRU RIGHT NEXT TO WHERE THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM ATTACHED TO IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10466498
Incident
Jun 8, 2012
Mileage
70,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 29, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WALKED NEAR THE VEHICLE, HE WOULD SMELL GASOLINE. HE STATED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE PIPE ONTO THE GROUND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. UPDATE 10/01/08 *CW UPDATED 10/03/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10240216
Incident
Aug 10, 2008
Mileage
127,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesEngine+5 more
Filed Feb 22, 2005

BRAKES LOCKING UP AT HIGH SPEEDS,EPLACED MASTER CYLINDER,REPLACED CV AXLE AND BOOT,ENT OBJECT REPORTED,RUNK LEAKS AND WATER WHERE SPARE SITS,REPLACED CATALYIC CONVERTER,END RIMS WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC CAR WAS WRECKED BEFORE PURCHASED . *AK

NHTSA ID
10111982
Incident
Oct 16, 2004
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 7, 2001

THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND EVENTUALLY REPLACED, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACED PART. NLM

NHTSA ID
559530
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jan 12, 2001

CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO PEP BOY SHOP TO REFACE ROTORS EVERY SIX THOUSAND MILES. HAD BEEN PERFORMED FIVE TIMES, AND CONSUMER WAS MAD AT REPAIR SHOP FOR NOT TELLING HIM THAT ROTORS SHOULD BE REPLACED. COSUMER HAD CONTACTED BETTER BUSSINES BUREAU. REPORT MADE UP TO CONSUMER RESQUEST.*AK

NHTSA ID
878159
Incident
Jan 12, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 8, 2000

THIS TIRE IS NOT THE ORIGINAL TIRE PROVIDED BY SUZUKI, THEREFORE SUZUKI IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE PROBLEM. THE TIRE HAS DEVELOPED SEVERAL CRACKS. THERE IS A CRACK (AVERAGING 3/4" IN LENGTH) IN EVERY OUTER TREAD GROOVE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TIRE (LOOKING FROM THE RIDER'S PERSPECTIVE). THERE ARE NO CRACKS ON THE LEFT SIDE, OR ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE TIRE. THE TIRE HAS ABOUT 6000 MILES ON IT, AND STILL HAS ABOUT HALF OF IT'S USABLE TREAD LEFT. THE REAR TIRE HAS NOT DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM, AND IS WEARING FINE.( DOT NUMBER: B56F K9801 TIRE SIZE: 110/70ZR17 )

NHTSA ID
730726
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 30, 1999

VEHICLE WOULD DIE AFTER GOING 50MPH. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER & THE FUEL FILTER, PUMP, ALTERNATOR & BATTERY HAD BEEN CHANGED OR REPLACED AT LEAST 9 DIFFERENT TIMES. IT'S AN ERRACTIC OPERATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
843849
Incident
Nov 4, 1998
Brakes
Filed Jul 26, 1999

BRAKES STARTED TO MAKE NOISES EVEN AFTER THEY WERE REPLACED AND ARE NOT RESPONDING LIKE THEY SHOULD. THEY HAVE BEEN INSPECTED 3 TIMES AND CONTINUE TO PERFORM POORLY.

NHTSA ID
709206
Incident
Aug 15, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

N-Q-G-045

EQUIPMENT; SUSPENSION

This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.

0109193

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE - IMPROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. *TT

SW07

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE REVISED CLAIMS SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR REPLACEMENT BATTERIES UNDER WARRANTY. *TT

102 05097

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING AMENDMENTS OF TIGHTENING TORQUE OF FRONT SEAT RAIL MOUNTING BOLT. *TT

0204145

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

CORRECT COOLANT USAGE. *EH

0210063

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE-INCORRECT WIRING DIAGRAM OF THE WIPER/WASHER COMBINATION SWITCH. *SC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Suzuki Esteem by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002510—
2001210036.2
2000260037.6
1999200039.9
1998240045.3
1997700—
1996500—
1995Viewing130033.0

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.