Suzuki Esteem Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 121 consumer complaints across the 8 model years of the Suzuki Esteem (1995–2002) that have at least 5 complaints. 2000 has the most, with 26. Across all years, the part named most often is body and structure (35 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Esteem model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 | 67,050 | 1 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 21 | 123,000 | 0 | 4 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 26 | 96,000 | 0 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 20 | 86,917 | 0 | 4 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 24 | 100,000 | 0 | 4 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 7 | 155,250 | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 5 | 73,000 | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 13 | 80,000 | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Body and structure35 27%
- Suspension26 20%
- Brakes20 15%
- Engine cooling15 11%
- Air bags12 9.2%
- Transmission and drivetrain9 6.9%
- Tires7 5.3%
- Steering7 5.3%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1998: “I was driving on flat paved road at approximately 30 miles per hour when the subframe snapped on the right front passenger side of the vehicle causing the vehicle to immediately jerk right with substantial force. I was able to maintain control of the vehicle with the steering wheel due to driving at a low speed but the car was pulling very hard to the right and the steering wheel was almost impossible to steer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10448231, filed 2012-02, 200,000 miles2001: “I was driving onto an exit at 45 miles per hour and I heard a very loud popping noise and lost control of the steering wheel pulled over. There was no more steering.”
NHTSA complaint #10760295, filed 2015-08, 150,000 miles1995: “Car exhibited a tendency to pull to the right at first. After turning a corner the car pulled to the left. Going down the highway the front of the car wandered from side to side. After I parked the car and re started the engine when I put it into gear a loud banging noise came from the front of the car and it did not move in reverse or drive. Banging stopped in neutral and park. I jacked up the car and the front sub-frame was rusted thru right next to where the lower suspension arm attached to it.”
NHTSA complaint #10466498, filed 2012-07, 70,000 milesOther Suzuki models
907 complaintsSuzuki Grand Vitara
634 complaintsSuzuki XL7
380 complaintsSuzuki SX4
311 complaintsSuzuki Sidekick
219 complaintsSuzuki Verona
216 complaintsSuzuki Reno
173 complaintsSuzuki VZR1800
142 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology