Suzuki Samurai Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Suzuki Samurai (1986–1988) that have at least 5 complaints. 1988 has the most, with 20. Across all years, the part named most often is seat belts (12 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Samurai model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 20 | — | 1 | 2 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 6 | — | 0 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 5 | — | 0 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Seat belts12 38%
- Tires4 13%
- Suspension4 13%
- Body and structure4 13%
- Steering3 9.4%
- Engine cooling3 9.4%
- Transmission and drivetrain1 3.1%
- Seats1 3.1%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1987: “The left rear tire delaminated and wrapped around the axel, causing the car to go out of control... Causing us to go out into the desert and roll over... I was injured, my husband only suffered a bruise, I received sever trauma to my head, causing me to need eye surgery within a year to regain vision. ( DOT number: ejyt tire size: p205/70r15 )”
NHTSA complaint #732552, filed 2000-091986: “While driving south on freeway 101 there was a vehicle in front that was in the way. Consumer's vehicle made a slight turn to the right to avoid an accident, and all of sudden vehicle rolled over, hitting an embankment, then hit a wall, then vehicle stood up.”
NHTSA complaint #865188, filed 2000-071988: “Bridgestone, p205/70r15, DOT unknown, replacement tire, milage unknown on a 1988, Suzuki, Samurai. While driving 55 MPH heard a noise. Then, vehicle started to fishtail, spun around 180 degrees and hit a tree. Damage to vehicle unknown. No injuries. Rear driver's side tire had tread separation, a 2 1/2 feet long piece of tread came off, tire was not flat. Tread separation caused damage to the entire drivers side, convertible top and rear tire, driver sustained back/neck pain. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #893013, filed 2001-07Other Suzuki models
907 complaintsSuzuki Grand Vitara
634 complaintsSuzuki XL7
380 complaintsSuzuki SX4
311 complaintsSuzuki Sidekick
219 complaintsSuzuki Verona
216 complaintsSuzuki Reno
173 complaintsSuzuki VZR1800
142 complaints
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. Methodology