1996 Suzuki Esteem Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 34 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and electrical system (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 73,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes3 60%
- Air bags1 20%
- Electrical system1 20%
- Engine cooling1 20%
- Tires1 20%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Took it to the service dept. Repeatedly and they never found problems so convienantly we had numerous problems and ended up turning the car in and lossing everything we put in to it and messing up our credit due to we were tired of fighting with the dealership and the manufacturer. So other people need to be aware of these dangerous problems with this car. It stranded me and my 2 children seveeral times not including my mother in law once when we let her borrow it . No one would listen to us so maybe you will ! …”
NHTSA complaint #708110, filed 1999-07Air bags: “Driving 40 MPH vehicle in front stopped suddenly, hit the brakes but rearended vehicle anyway; driver's side air bag did not deploy; was rearended by another vehicle and Esteem was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #811053, filed 1997-05Engine cooling: “When driving at 45 MPH, the pulley: crankshaft broke, causing the consumer to lose control of steering, and the balacing and the timing belt was damaged and the bolt came off.”
NHTSA complaint #831708, filed 1998-12Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 73,000 and 73,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 Suzuki Esteem version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esteem FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Esteem FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10152052Nov 20, 2018Suspension, Equipment. 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…
- 10016419Sep 12, 2005Electrical system. Service manual update-incorrect wiring diagram of the wiper/washer combination switch.
- 10014822May 10, 2005Engine cooling. Correct coolant usage.
Other model years of the Suzuki Esteem
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 | 67,050 | 1 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 21 | 123,000 | 0 | — | 26 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 26 | 96,000 | 0 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 20 | 86,917 | 0 | — | 26 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 24 | 100,000 | 0 | — | 28 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 7 | 155,250 | 0 | — | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 5 | 73,000 | 0 | — | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 13 | 80,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Suzuki Esteem have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Suzuki Esteem is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.
Has the 1996 Suzuki Esteem been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Suzuki Esteem get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Suzuki Esteem (Esteem, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Suzuki Esteem reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 73,000 miles and the middle half falls between 73,000 and 73,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.