RoadVitals

1995 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.
26
Latest Jun 17, 2003
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.
4
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Suzuki Sidekick, most frequently naming the transmission, body & structure and interior & seats categories. 4 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

  • Transmission518.5%
  • Body & structure414.8%
  • Interior & seats311.1%
  • Suspension311.1%
  • Electrical27.4%
  • Steering27.4%
  • Visibility27.4%
  • Engine27.4%

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 26
Transmission
Filed Jun 17, 2003

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH 1995 SUZUKI SIDEKICK. *MR *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10024689
Transmission
Filed Jun 10, 2002

WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO GEAR IT MAKES A HARD BANGING NOISE. IT MOMENTARILY LOCKS UP THE POWER STEERING, AND CAUSES HESITATION AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHEER INFROMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8011429
Incident
May 1, 2002
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 1, 2001

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND SHIFTING TO SECOND GEAR, SEAT BACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID
898643
Incident
Oct 31, 2001
Filed Aug 30, 2001

SUZUKI HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SOFTWARE IN THE VECHICLE TURNS ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT 50,000 REGARDLESS WHETHER THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED A LITTLE BEFORE 50,000 MILES. BECAUSE OF THIS LIGHT MY WIFE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VECHICLE UNTIL IT WENT IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN. SERVICE CENTER REPORTED NO PROBLEM WITH VECHICLE AFTER A $90 DIAGNOSTIC. THEY SPENT 1.5 HOURS LOOKING FOR A NON EXISTANT PROBLEM. ASKED SUZUKI TO REIMBURSE, THEIR CS REP LOURAINE AT 800-934-0934 HUNG UP AFTER ADMITTING TO THE 50K LIGHT BUT SAYING I SHOULD TAKE UP WITH DEALER. IF THE NHTSA WANTS OWNERS TO TAKE WARNING LIGHTS SERIOUS IT MUST STOP THIS PRACTICE OF USING TRICKS TO PIMP SERVICE WORK. NOTHING IN THE OWNERS MANUAL INDICATES THE 50,000 MILE SERVICE LIGHT. THE SERCET TO SAFETY IS MAINTEAIN THE VECHICLE AND RELY ON DIAGNOSTICS. MAKE SUZUKI CHANGE THE SOFTWARE ON ALL VECHICLES AND OUTLAW THYE PROCESS OF TURNING ON THE WARNING LIGHTS WHEN THERE'S NO PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
751394
Incident
Aug 11, 2001
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Dec 1, 2000
Crash reportedFire reported2 injuries reported

WHEN MAKING A TURN TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL, RPMS RACED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT A CURB, RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
875849
Incident
Nov 11, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Sep 25, 2000

AFTER STOPPING AT DESTINATION, TOOK CHILD CAR SEAT OUT AND WHEN UNBUCKLED SEATBELT TO DO SO, SEATBELT WENT IN AS NORMAL, BUT LOCKED AND WILL NOT COME OUT, CANNOT USE THAT SIDE AT ALL W/ USAGE OF SEATBELT. EXPECTING ANOTHER CHILD, AND AM WORRIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
732506
Incident
Sep 21, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jul 27, 2000

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER EXPLODED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
866157
Incident
Jul 12, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Jun 23, 2000

CONSUMER'S DOOR FELL OFF BECAUSE HINGES HAD RUSTED. THE ONLY WAY FOR DOOR TO STAY ON WAS BY LOCKING IT. MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO LOOK AT VEHICLE BECAUSE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
864189
Incident
Jun 1, 2000

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.

SW07

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

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

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
1995Viewing260036.5
1994211047.1
1993141146.8
1992100026.1
1991141249.2
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.