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Body and structurePart report

1999 Suzuki Esteem Body and structure Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
20%of 20 total for the year
Median mileage
106,766miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the body and structure of the 1999 Suzuki Esteem, 20% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,766 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“My 99 Esteem stared pulling to one side while driving. As I attempted to get it home the wheel would rub on the inner fender well when turning. Upon inspection when I got home I found the driver side subframe rusted through on top and outer sides with only the inside portion intact. This part had bent allowing my wheel to change position. The rest of the undercarriage seems to be in good shape while this section has rusted away. Thankfully, this did not happen at highway speed or that I did not hit a pothole while driving. …”

NHTSA complaint #10446634, filed 2012-02, 149,000 miles

“Sub frame of 1999 Suzuki Esteem had rusted thru .I was driving at 70 miles per hour when the sub frame cracked and pushed the passenger front tire back against the fender caused the front tire to lock up which caused me to wreck. I spoke with Suzuki and gave them my VIN number and was told that part was on recall and to have my car towed in and they would fix that part. Two days later I was called and told that the recall had expired 3 months earlier. I was never notified and was also wondering how a recall on a safety issue could expire. …”

NHTSA complaint #10419916, filed 2011-08, 83,532 miles

“I own a 1999 Suzuki Esteem, 55,000 miles, car is kept in a garage. My sub frame rusted in half and broke. The aaa person that towed the car, 2 mechanics, and every male I have told are appalled that this could have happened. My mechanic called fred martins Suzuki, where is was purchased, and spoke to the mechanic there. He was told 3 subframes had been fixed during the month of july, but no recall was made. This is supposed to be one of the strongest parts of the car. Fred martin Suzuki has informed me that nothing can be done , after all the car is 6 years old, not under warranty, etc. …”

NHTSA complaint #10133020, filed 2005-08, 55,000 miles

“The contact owns a 1999 Suzuki Esteem. While driving at 55 MPH in dry conditions the vehicle began to pull to the right and produced a rubbing noise. The contact stated that upon arriving at the mechanic shop the front passenger side wheel collapsed. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that a possible cause of failure was the air conditioner leaking and may have rusted through the vehicle's frame. The current and failure mileage were 130,000. The consumer has included pictures of the frame damages. Update 5/3/07”

NHTSA complaint #10187453, filed 2007-04, 130,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2002240%
20011048%
2000935%
1999420%
1998729%
1997229%
199518%

Other parts of the 1999 Suzuki Esteem

Engine cooling
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Equipment
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints
Tires
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1999 Suzuki Esteem

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology