RoadVitals

1996 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.
59
Latest Dec 20, 2007
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.
2
Latest Jan 20, 2000
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.
6
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 59 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick, most frequently naming the suspension, brakes and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 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

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

2 campaigns 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
00V008000

SUSPENSION

Jan 20, 2000
13,461 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING BASE ON THE UPPER END OF THE FRONT STRUTS CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE UPPER END OF THE FRONT STRUTS TO THE VEHICLE BODY.
The risk: IF THE STRUT BROKE LOOSE, A DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT, FOR BOTH FRONT STRUTS, BETWEEN THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING BASE AND THE VEHICLE BODY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING BASES, MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUTS, AND STRUT BAR STAYS WILL BE REPLACED.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number W2View on NHTSA.gov
96V121002

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Jul 2, 1996
4,325 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FUEL TANK ON THESE VEHICLES CAN BECOME PUNCTURED BY A FUEL TANK FLANGE ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT DURING REAR-END COLLISIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL TANK INTEGRITY."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTING FROM THIS PUNCTURE COULD RESULT IN A POST-CRASH FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW SHIELD GUSSETS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND ATTACHMENT BRACKETS TO PREVENT THE REINFORCEMENT FROM PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK WALL.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 59
Other / unspecifiedTransmission
Filed Dec 20, 2007

CLUTCH PEDAL SEPARATES FROM PIVOT SHAFT. WELD BRAKES, PEDAL DETACHES, VEHICLE DISABLED. THIRD OCCURRENCE. OEM PEDAL REPLACEMENT REVEALS NO-WARRANTY, COMMON OCCURRENCE FAILURE MODE. PEDAL RE-ATTACHED TO SHAFT BY PROFESSIONAL WELDERS ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES. HAVE REPLACED CLUTCH CABLE, CLUTCH PLATE & THROWOUT BEARING WITHOUT RESOLUTION. HYDRAULIC REPLACEMENT INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10212453
Incident
Dec 20, 2007
Mileage
76,421 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 12, 2007
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1996 SUZUKI SIDEKICK SPORT ON AN ICY AFTERNOON HE PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH AND HIT THE UTILITY POLE, AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG POPPED AND BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE CENTER OF THE BAG. A NEIGHBOR SAW WHAT HAPPENED ,CAME OVER, OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR, AND BEAT THE FLAMES UNTIL THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND FORCED THE CONTACT LEFT HAND TO GO THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WHICH SHATTER,ED,AND CAUSED CONTUSIONS TO HIS KNUCKLES. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE POLICE AND THERE WAS REPORT. THE OFFICER COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE AIRBAGS COULD HAVE DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE UTILITY POLE HAD NO DAMAGE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID RECEIVE A DING. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE UTILITY POLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76000.*AK UPDATED 03/19/07.*JB

NHTSA ID
10182340
Incident
Feb 8, 2007
Electrical
Filed Sep 16, 2004
Fire reported

CONSUMER STATES THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. SHE STATES THAT SHE GOT INTO HER VEHICLE AND INSERTED THE KEY. SHE SAID THAT WHEN SHE TURNED THE KEY, IT SOUNDED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. SHE STATES SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, WAITED AND THEN TURNED THE IGNITION ON AGAIN, THEN SHE SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE, THEN THERE WAS FIRE. SHE SAID HER HUSBAND AND THE NEIGHBOR PUT THE FIRE OUT. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE SHE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FIRE . SHE SAID SHE HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW/USED MOTOR. SHE SAID SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10092513
Incident
Sep 16, 2004
Fuel system
Filed May 7, 2003

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS NHTSA RECALL 96-V-121-002 RELATED TO THE FUEL TANK. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10019369
Incident
May 7, 2003
Engine
Filed Nov 15, 2002

CONSUMER STATES, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALWAYS INDICATED HOT, DUE TO THE RADIATOR CAP WHICH IS DEFECTED, HAS BEEN CHANGE THREE TIMES. AND REOCURRING THE PROBLEM.. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
8022832
Incident
Oct 10, 2002
EngineTransmission
Filed Aug 31, 2002

THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ALMOST FROM THE DAY I PURSCHASED IT FROM LARGO HONDA IN KEY LARGO FLORIDA; DEC. OF 1999. ALTHOUGH I PURSCHASED AN EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT FOR $8,000, I WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET SATIFACTION FROM THE DEALER, THE SELLER, OR MY WARRENTY CO. ALWAYS AT MY EXPENCE , TOWING, {RENTAL CARS =$1,700 04/05/00 - 50,373 MILES AUTO DOC OF KEY LARGO, 305] 453-0977, REPLACED FAN, CLUTCH, ADJUSTER, RADIATOR, WATER PUMP.... NOW THIS WHERE MY MOST RECEIENT BEGAINS. *SOUTH MOTORS OF MIAMI. I WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT A SECOND W2 RECALL NHTSA ID # 00V008000, 96V121002- I CALLED SUZKI, I CALLED SOUTH MOTORS - TOOK AUTO TO SOUTH MOTORS 6AM, FOR THE DAY, RECIEVED ESTIMATED $29 OIL CHANGE THAT ENDED UP BEING $139, BUT THEY DID NOT DO THE POWER LOCK PROBLEM I HAD ASKED FOR , AND TOLD ME THAT ALL RECALL WORK HAD BEEN COMPLEATED - BLEW ME OFF. STILL NO POWER LOCKS, FULE FILTER SEEMED MORE STUFFED UP THAN BEFORE, = POINTS, PLUGS, COILS, "SERVICE ENGIN LIGHTS" ETC. ON JULY 30, 2002 A BOLT APPARENTLY BROKE OFF THAT HAD BEEN HOLDING THE AIRCONDIONER TO REST OF THE CAR, THE FAN BELT WAS REPLACED ANDBOLT WELDED

NHTSA ID
766501
Incident
Aug 23, 2002
Suspension
Filed Aug 14, 2002

RIGHT FRONT DROPPED WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8016353
Incident
Mar 12, 2002
Suspension
Filed Mar 28, 2002

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION LAST YEAR IN 2001,TO DATETHE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SUPPLY THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENT FOR THE VEHICLE. NLV CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED SECOND NOTICE FOR SAFETY RECALL. *MR

NHTSA ID
8006570

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

97010104187A

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

MODIFICATION OF POWER STEERING PUMP SERVICE PROCEDURES. *YC

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
1996Viewing592047.1
1995260036.5
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.