1998 Suzuki Esteem Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 25%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Suzuki Esteem, 25% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“Front suspension cross member in 1998 Suzuki Esteem cracked open while driving at 25mph. Car suddenly pulled to the right, since it happen at low speed I was able to quickly stop. Upon inspection of the front suspension cross member I found out that rusting was so extensive that you could poke a hole in the cross member by simply pushing a screw driver on to the surface of the cross member.”
NHTSA complaint #10369432, filed 2010-12, 100,000 miles“Was driving on the highway , slowed down to take a right turn onto side road....there was a terrible grinding noise and immediate pull of car to right...had to fight to keep control of car...was hard to steer but drove home at about 5 miles per hour...luckily only a quarter of a mile...pretty sure if it had let go if I'd hit a bump or something driving 55 on the highway...that the car would have flipped...that's how quickly I lost control...after reading all other reports...too bad this car had not been recalled...I might not now be without a car.”
NHTSA complaint #10662579, filed 2014-12, 67,400 miles“While operating vehicle at higher speeds, approximately 55 MPH and higher, vehicle will weave, and vehicle is very difficult to control on highway. *note: consumer purchased vehicle with approximately 15,000 miles on it, and had to have struts replaced at approximately 22,000 miles. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #888479, filed 2001-05Related service bulletins
- 10216558Jul 8, 2022Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the…
- 10152052Nov 20, 2018This 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…
Suspension: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Suzuki Esteem
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Suzuki Esteem
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology