RoadVitals

1997 Suzuki Swift

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.
4
Latest Jun 19, 2001
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 Oct 6, 1998
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.
2
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Suzuki Swift, most frequently naming the transmission, airbags and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 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

  • Transmission250.0%
  • Airbags125.0%
  • Powertrain (other)125.0%

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
98V225002

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

Oct 6, 1998
1,198 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE SHIFT LEVER APPEARS TO BE IN "PARK," BUT CAN EASILY BE MOVED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITHOUT THE USE OF THE KEY, TRANSAXLE LEVER DETENT BUTTON, OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE.
The risk: IF THE SHIFT LEVER WERE TO COME OUT OF "PARK" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A NON-LEVEL SURFACE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, OWNERS ARE ADVISED WHEN SHIFTING TO "PARK," ALWAYS APPLY THE PARK BRAKE BEFORE RELEASING THE SERVICE BRAKE.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Airbags
Filed Jun 19, 2001
Crash reported3 injuries reported

AFTER THE CRASH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED VERY SLIGHTLY, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ID
9003027
Incident
Jan 17, 2001
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 18, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported

FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL CAR DOWN A HILL, ACROSS A YARD, ACROSS A STREET AND HIT A POLE. NO KEYS WERE IN THE VEHICLE, AUTOMATIC CAR, TOTALLED LOST

NHTSA ID
9001772
Incident
Jun 27, 2000
Transmission
Filed Feb 9, 2000

RECALL # 98V225002. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
856580
Transmission
Filed Nov 17, 1998

RECALL 98V225002. THE SHIFT LEVER WILL MOVE FREELY WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES OR THE BUTTON. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, OTHER INCIDENTS OCCUR THAN WHAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
830901
Incident
Nov 3, 1998

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

TS31810078

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

REMOVAL PROCEDURES FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER. *YC

TS31810078

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

SPEICAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR VEHICLES EXHIBITING A CONDITION WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER THAT APEPARS TO BE IN PARK POSITION, BUT CAN EASILY BE REMOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT THE USE OF THE KEY, THE TRANSMISSION LEVER DETENT BUTTON, OR DEPRESSING THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. *TT

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 Swift by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002200—
2001300—
2000210—
1999000—
1998200—
1997Viewing410—
1996000—
1995100—
1994500—
1993710—
1992010—
1991721—
1990321—
1989522—
1988001—

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.