RoadVitals

1997 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.
7
Latest Jan 15, 2013
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.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Suzuki Esteem, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and electrical categories. 5 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

  • Brakes333.3%
  • Body & structure222.2%
  • Electrical222.2%
  • Seat belts111.1%
  • Suspension111.1%

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

Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jan 15, 2013

DRIVING ALONG BIG TIMBER STRAIGHT AT 40 MPH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND STARTED TO SHAKE, I MANAGED TO STAY STRAIGHT UNTIL I TURNED LEFT TO MEADOWS RD. I MADE IT HOME OKAY IN THE COMPLEX BUT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE CAR AGAIN. NEXT DAY LOOKED AT THE UNDER CARRIAGE AND THEN NOTICED THE RUSTED OUT SUB FRAME (CRADLE) BY THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) CONTROL ARM.THIS CAR IS GARAGE KEPT IF THAT MEANS ANYTHING. WELL THIS CERTAINLY IS A BUMMER, I'LL HAVE TO FIGURE ON HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT A REASONABLE EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10493024
Incident
Jan 11, 2013
Mileage
185,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 5, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SUZUKI ESTEEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART THAT SUPPORTS THE A-FRAME WAS RUSTED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10279480
Incident
Jul 4, 2009
Mileage
125,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 4, 2001

OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES , BEING PLASTIC, KEEP BREAKING AND YOU CAN'T GET IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
752943
Incident
Sep 1, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jun 15, 2001

HORN STOPPED WORKING, CONSUMER NOT ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION . NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK STEREO AND TAPE PLAYER FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
890469
Incident
Mar 1, 2001
BrakesElectrical
Filed Feb 8, 1999

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXEPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAD A TOTAL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE MADE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
834572
Incident
Feb 2, 1999
Seat belts
Filed May 6, 1998
1 injury reported

DURING A COLLISION, PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. PASSENGER SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ID
535234
Incident
Nov 24, 1997
Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 1997

BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
521849

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

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
1997Viewing700—
1996500—
1995130033.0

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.