RoadVitals

1986 Suzuki Samurai Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
5
Latest Jul 11, 2000
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
5
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.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1986 Suzuki Samurai, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Body & structure120.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Seat belts120.0%
  • Steering120.0%
  • Suspension120.0%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

PART OF FRAME AROUND WINDSHIELD FELL OFF, LEAVING A HOLE AROUND WINDSHIELD, WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER INTERIOR OF VEHICLE, DAMAGING WIRES TO RADIO AND ALSO FLOODED INTERIOR.

NHTSA ID 514678 · filed Feb 11, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WANTED INFORMATION ON HOW EASILY THE SAMURAI TIPS OVER...

NHTSA ID 704423 · filed Mar 14, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR SEAT BELTS FAIL TO HOLD PASSENGERS SECURELY, CAUSING CHILD SEATS/PASSENGERS TO BE THROWN FORWARD INTO BACK OF FRONT SEATS. *SKD

NHTSA ID 482667 · filed Mar 27, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON FREEWAY 101 THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN FRONT THAT WAS IN THE WAY. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE MADE A SLIGHT TURN TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, AND ALL OF SUDDEN VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, HITTING AN EMBANKMENT, THEN HIT A WALL, THEN VEHICLE STOOD UP. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID 865188 · filed Jul 11, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

UPON IMPACT, BROADSIDE REAR DRIVER'S, 30MPH SPUN AROUND THEN ROLLED OVER. TT

NHTSA ID 965995 · filed May 25, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .