RoadVitals

1996 Suzuki Sidekick Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
10
Latest Nov 15, 2002
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
17%
of 59 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
Engine
Filed Aug 3, 1999

MOUNTING BRACKET HOLDING RADIATOR FAN CRACKED AROUND MOUNTING BOLTS. NLM

NHTSA ID
547721
BrakesEngine
Filed Aug 11, 1998

PULLEY ASSEMBLY PLATE DESIGN WAS NOT THICK ENOUGH FOR AMOUNT OF PRESSURE RECEIVED, RESULTING IN PULLY TO BE BROKEN AWAY FROM ENGINE BLOCK DAMAGING COMPONENTS WITHIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ID
538966
Engine
Filed Apr 28, 1998

ENGINE FAN HITS THE RADIATOR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SMOKE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
822868
Engine
Filed Aug 21, 1997
Fire reported

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. WHILE DRIVING SMOKING STARTED COMING THROUGH VENTS INSIDE VEHICLE, HEARD POPPING NOISE. VEHICLE WITH DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
815588
Incident
Aug 4, 1997
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed May 2, 1997

CIGARETTE LIGHTER INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA ID
516914
Incident
Jul 18, 1996
Engine
Filed Jan 3, 1997

THE VEHICLE IS GENERATING A LOT OF ELECTRICAL STATIC. WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE A SPARLK FLEW UP AND ALMOST IGNITED THE GASOLINE. *AK

NHTSA ID
807060
Incident
Dec 11, 1996
Engine
Filed Dec 30, 1996

FAN BRACKET BROKE OFF ENGINE, MAKING COOLANT FAN INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA ID
513342
Incident
May 31, 1996
Engine
Filed Sep 30, 1996

VEHICLE LEAKS EXHAUST INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ID
509244
Incident
Jun 24, 1996

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .