RoadVitals

1989 Suzuki Sidekick

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 Apr 21, 2009
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.
1
Latest May 24, 1995
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.
2
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

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick, most frequently naming the seat belts, electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 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

  • Seat belts440.0%
  • Electrical220.0%
  • Engine220.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%
  • Visibility110.0%

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

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V103008

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
127,155 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95006ClosedEngineering Analysis

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Mar 10, 1995
Closed Aug 2, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103008
PE90008ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

WELD FAILURE IN STRUCTURE

Opened Oct 19, 1989
Closed Apr 30, 1990

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 21, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 SUZUKI SIDEKICK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON TWO OCCASIONS, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND PAID $100 TO HAVE THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. THERE IS A SWITCH IN THE CIRCUIT THAT HE CANNOT LOCATE, BUT NEEDS TO REMOVE IT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FROM ILLUMINATING AGAIN. THE SUZUKI DEALER WILL NOT REMOVE THE SWITCH BECAUSE IT IS A FEDERALLY MANDATED MALFUNCTION, ACCORDING TO THE PAPERWORK THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED. IF THE SWITCH IS NOT REMOVED, THE WARNING INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE AND PREVENT THE CONTACT FROM RECEIVING AN EMISSIONS STICKER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 5/5/09 *CN THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE OXYGEN SENSOR. UPDATED 05/06/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10266231
Incident
Dec 18, 2008
Mileage
50,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jul 10, 1996

FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER/LAP BELT EXPLODED INTO BUNCH OF LITTLE PIECES, NOW INOPERATIVE, HAPPENED AS RELEASE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. *AK

NHTSA ID
986721
Incident
Jun 25, 1996
Engine
Filed Jun 11, 1996

EXHAUST LEAK, CONSUMER REPORTED BURNED REAR PASSENGER SEAT AREA WHILE DRIVING, CAUSED BY LEAK FROM THE TAIL PIPE PE91-1260. *AK

NHTSA ID
985487
Incident
Jun 2, 1996
ElectricalFuel systemVisibility
Filed Jul 13, 1995

THE ALTERNATOR OVER POWERED THE SYSTEM, FRIED THE BATTERY *AK

NHTSA ID
968403
Incident
Jul 2, 1993
Seat belts
Filed May 22, 1995

FT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE, REPLACED, REPLACEMENT BROKE ALSO. TT

NHTSA ID
965666
Incident
May 3, 1995
Seat belts
Filed Mar 8, 1995

SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH WILL POP OUT WHILE DRIVING. TT

NHTSA ID
961502
Incident
Jan 1, 1994
Seat belts
Filed Feb 27, 1995

DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT UNLOCK. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT

NHTSA ID
960637
Incident
Feb 27, 1995

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.

9573L3001

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC) CHUGGLE/HUNTING CONDITION.*SD

0204145

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

CORRECT COOLANT USAGE. *EH

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 Sidekick by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000100—
1999000—
1998270047.9
1997361045.2
1996592047.1
1995260036.5
1994211047.1
1993141146.8
1992100026.1
1991141249.2
1990511—
1989Viewing712—
1988101—

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.