US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained

Suzuki Sidekick recall history

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Suzuki Sidekick, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 8
Total Complaints 298
Years Covered 1988–2000

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Suzuki Sidekick, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Steering and suspension

2 campaigns · Years: 1993–1994, 1996–1997

These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.

Official notices (evidence):

Fuel and emissions

1 campaign · Years: 1996

These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.

Official notices (evidence):

Seats and restraints

1 campaign · Years: 1989–1991

These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Suzuki Sidekick in NHTSA complaint data are Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Suspension.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
2000 0 1 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices.
1998 0 41 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1997 1 52 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Power train:automatic transmission.
1996 2 81 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension, Power train:clutch assembly, Air bags:frontal.
1995 0 29 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Suspension:front, Seats.
1994 1 32 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Power train:axle assembly, Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft.
1993 1 14 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1992 0 11 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads, Tires.
1991 1 16 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Fuel system, gasoline, Seat belts:front:retractor.
1990 1 5 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:anchorage, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder.
1989 1 15 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator, Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery.
1988 0 1 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control:cables.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Suspension , Seat belts and Fuel system

Show recall evidence by year

1997

  • Suspension: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V008000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

1996

  • Suspension: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V008000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: Tank assembly: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V121002) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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."

1994

  • Suspension: Rear: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (94V073002) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The right rear and left axle shaft housing tubes were incorrectly welded and can fracture. Fracture of the rear axle shaft housing can result in separation of the affected wheel assembly and separation of the brake line.

1993

  • Suspension: Rear: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (94V073002) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The right rear and left axle shaft housing tubes were incorrectly welded and can fracture. Fracture of the rear axle shaft housing can result in separation of the affected wheel assembly and separation of the brake line.

1991

  • Seat belts: Buckle assembly: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V103008) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

1990

  • Seat belts: Buckle assembly: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V103008) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

1989

  • Seat belts: Buckle assembly: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V103008) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

Other Suzuki Models

Explore recall and complaint data for other Suzuki models.

⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

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