Suzuki EsteemModel year report

2001 Suzuki Esteem Problems

Complaints: 21filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 123,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 0campaigns on record
Trend: StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 26 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Suzuki Esteem (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2001 Suzuki Esteem. The part named most often is body and structure, with 10 complaints (48% of the total), followed by suspension (5) and engine cooling (3). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 23% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 123,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

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.

Example complaints

Body and structure: “2001 Suzuki Esteem. Steering was suddenly off center so I had an alignment completed which fixed the problem. About 1 week later, while driving, the steering wheel became very off center again. A few blocks further (I was driving in town at the time, at slow speeds) the front passenger sub-frame broke. This caused the front passenger wheel to slope and the suspension to pull out from the transmission, immediately making the car inoperable. Had this occurred at highway speeds, I am sure an accident would have ensued. Fortunately it occurs as I was pulling up to a stop sign. …”

NHTSA complaint #10344528, filed 2010-07, 110,000 miles

Suspension: “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 miles

Engine cooling: “Noticed ticking noise coming from engine compartment. Took it to get oil changed and state inspected no problem found. 3 weeks later timing chain slipped and possible engine damage may have occurred. Vehicle has only 46000 miles. Prior to hearing ticking noise car was driving perfect. Timing chain repair $1000. If they find engine damage $3400.”

NHTSA complaint #10141354, filed 2005-10, 46,500 miles

Electrical system: “Purchased a new Suzuki Esteem in 2001. About 30000 miles the key beagn to stick in the ignition and you could not take it out. Once you turned the car on, you could not move into park. Have had it fixed 3 times now. There is a little white button on the inside of steering wheel that once pushed will release the key from the locked position but in order to get to it you must take off the cover.”

NHTSA complaint #10117984, filed 2005-04, 30,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

23% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 150,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 123,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2001 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	33	29	$2,300
Esteem FWD	1.6L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	24	31	26	$2,600
Esteem FWD	1.8L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	24	32	27	$2,500
Esteem FWD	1.8L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	23	30	26	$2,600
Esteem Wagon FWD	1.8L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	23	30	26	$2,600
Esteem Wagon FWD	1.8L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	24	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 2001 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. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.

10216558Jul 8, 2022Suspension, Body and structure. Reminder 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 roadway.
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

All Suzuki Esteem model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Suzuki Esteem have?

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2001 Suzuki Esteem as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Suzuki Esteem is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 10 complaints (48% of the total), followed by suspension with 5.

Has the 2001 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 2001 Suzuki Esteem get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Suzuki Esteem (Esteem, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 24 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Suzuki Esteem reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 123,000 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 150,000 miles; 23% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. 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.