RoadVitals

1991 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.
14
Latest Nov 11, 2015
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Suzuki Sidekick, most frequently naming the seat belts, body & structure and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 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

  • Seat belts1173.3%
  • Body & structure16.7%
  • Electrical16.7%
  • Fuel system16.7%
  • Tires & wheels16.7%

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
PE92087ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SEAT BLT LOCKS-STOW POSIT.

Opened Dec 2, 1992
Closed Apr 27, 1993

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 14
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 11, 2015

TWO RAPID DEFLATIONS OF TIRES, JUST WEEKS APART, DUE TO SIDEWALL FAILURE. FIRST HAPPENED ROUNDING A CORNER AT ABOUT 20 MPH, AND THE SECOND WHILE PARKED.

NHTSA ID
10789857
Incident
Oct 29, 2015
Mileage
170,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 27, 1999

THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR LEFT SEAT BELTS ON OUR 1991 SUZUKI SIDEKICK HAVE BOTH FAILED THIS WEEK. WE HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS IN THE CAR. THE FRONT RIGHT SEAT BELT HAS LOCKED IN ITS CASE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE. THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT NO LONGER LO. *AK

NHTSA ID
707945
Incident
May 31, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Mar 12, 1999

I HAVE A CENTURY CARSEAT, MODEL 4387LHT, MFG DATE 010697, THAT HAS A BUCKLE THAT SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. IT WOULD NO LONGER BUCKLE CLOSED. UPON CALLING CENTURY PRODUCTS I WAS TOLD THAT OFTEN KIDS STICK FOREIGN ITEMS IN THE HOLE WHERE THE BUCKLE IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. I CAN ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEE THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AND IT IS A DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT. CENTURY PRODUCTS DID NOT WANT THE CARSEAT SENT BACK TO THEM TO INVESTIGATE. I STILL HAVE THE CARSEAT BUT OBVIOUSLY AM NOT USING IT. I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS WARRENTS SOME TYPE OF FURTHER INVESTIGATION SINCE CENTURY HAS RECALLED OTHER MODEL CARSEATS FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
704346
Seat belts
Filed Feb 9, 1999

SEAT BELT RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED HOWEVER NEW BUCKLES FELL APART.

NHTSA ID
543776
Seat belts
Filed Apr 16, 1997

TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. CURRENTLY, THE LATCH HAS JAMMED INTO THE BUCKLE AND THIS SEA TBELT DOESN'T LOCK . PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
811021
Incident
Mar 25, 1997
Body & structure
Filed Jan 27, 1997

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED, TRAPPING THE DRIVER IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
514143
Incident
Feb 1, 1996
Seat belts
Filed Oct 2, 1996

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FELL APART. *AK

NHTSA ID
803122
Incident
Jul 7, 1996
Seat belts
Filed Jun 20, 1996

DLR TRYING TO LOCATE PARTS, HOWEVER OWNER CONTACTED ZONE OFFICE AND WAS INFORMED TO WAIT UNTIL DLR LOCATES PARTS. SEA TBELT BUCKLES RECALL 95V103008. *AK

NHTSA ID
985921
Incident
Jun 19, 1996

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

TS41304063R

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

MODIFICATION OF INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THERMOSTAT. *TW

TS30505113R

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

MODIFICATION OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERNAL PARTS. *TW

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
1991Viewing141249.2
1990511—
1989712—
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.