Suzuki Sidekick Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 219 consumer complaints across the 10 model years of the Suzuki Sidekick (1989–1998) that have at least 5 complaints. 1996 has the most, with 59. Across all years, the part named most often is engine cooling (34 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Sidekick years →
All Sidekick 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 27 | 247,000 | 0 | 3 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 36 | — | 1 | 2 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 59 | 76,421 | 2 | 2 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 26 | — | 0 | 2 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 21 | — | 1 | 2 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 14 | 51,000 | 1 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 10 | — | 0 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 14 | 170,000 | 1 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 5 | — | 1 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 50,000 | 1 | 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.
- Engine cooling34 18%
- Suspension33 17%
- Transmission and drivetrain32 16%
- Seat belts23 12%
- Brakes23 12%
- Electrical system18 9.3%
- Air bags17 8.8%
- Body and structure14 7.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1998: “3 years ago I bought a set of 4 goodyear warngler duratrac tires for my Suzuki vitara. After aprox 1,5 years I go to tire service shop to repair air loss around the rim. With tire unmounted we found inner layer separation. I reported this to the seller and after checking with goodyear represantive they changed the tire with new one. After another aprox 1,5 years I have to go to tire shop for another repair and found another tire with split layers. We checked all other tires minus warranty replaced one and they all are split from inside. …”
NHTSA complaint #11185005, filed 2019-03, 335,000 miles1996: “Clutch pedal separates from pivot shaft. Weld brakes, pedal detaches, vehicle disabled. Third occurrence. Oem pedal replacement reveals no-warranty, common occurrence failure mode. Pedal re-attached to shaft by professional welders on two previous occurrences. Have replaced clutch cable, clutch plate & throwout bearing without resolution. Hydraulic replacement investigation in progress.”
NHTSA complaint #10212453, filed 2007-12, 76,421 miles1991: “Two rapid deflations of tires, just weeks apart, due to sidewall failure. First happened rounding a corner at about 20 MPH, and the second while parked.”
NHTSA complaint #10789857, filed 2015-11, 170,000 milesOther Suzuki models
907 complaintsSuzuki Grand Vitara
634 complaintsSuzuki XL7
380 complaintsSuzuki SX4
311 complaintsSuzuki Verona
216 complaintsSuzuki Reno
173 complaintsSuzuki VZR1800
142 complaintsSuzuki Boulevard M109R
130 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