2002 Suzuki Esteem Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 67,050miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 26 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 31 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Suzuki Esteem (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2002 Suzuki Esteem. The part named most often is body and structure, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by wheels (2) and engine cooling (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 67,050 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.
- Body and structure2 40%
- Wheels2 40%
- Engine cooling1 20%
- Fuel system1 20%
- Steering1 20%
- Tires1 20%
Example complaints
Body and structure: “Sole owner 2002 Suzuki Esteem wagon with rotted k-frame and rusted wheels. Suzuki will only cover k-frame part and dealer wants $390. For labor. Are there other Suzuki vehicles with reported rotted k-frames?. I've owned this vehicle since april 2002. This vehicle will not pass state inspection due to rotted frame.”
NHTSA complaint #10251398, filed 2008-12, 67,050 milesWheels: “The contact owns a 2002 Suzuki Esteem. The contact occasionally heard a loud noise from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the shielding needed to be replaced around the muffler. The vehicle was repaired however,the failure recurred. The right axle shaft was broken on the subframe which was corroded with extensive rust in addition to the engine cradle cross member. The vehicle was inspected, diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10592781, filed 2014-05Engine cooling: “Check engine light has come on 6 times and there is no computer code. Gas gauge is inaccurate. *****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****768037”
NHTSA complaint #10007050, filed 2002-10Mileage 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 67,050 and 67,050 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2002 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 | 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 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| 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
- 03V223000Jun 16, 2003Visibility › WindshieldCovers: Suzuki Esteem 2002, Grand Vitara XL-7 2002–2003, Grand Vitara 2002–2003 +1 more
Certain passenger (111 my 2002 esteem, 777 my 2002 aerio, 2,368 my 2003 aerio) and sport utility (324 my 2002 grand vitara, 274 my 2003 grand vitara, 684 my 2002 grand vitara xl-7, and 781 my 2003 grand vitara xl-7) vehicles fail to comply with the…
Recall details for the 2002 Suzuki Esteem → · Check a 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.
- 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…
- 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 2002 Suzuki Esteem have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2002 Suzuki Esteem as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Suzuki Esteem is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by wheels with 2.
Has the 2002 Suzuki Esteem been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Suzuki Esteem get?
The EPA rates the 2002 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 2002 Suzuki Esteem reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 67,050 miles and the middle half falls between 67,050 and 67,050 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.