1989 Suzuki Sidekick Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles, 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
- 25 mpgcombined, 1.3L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 24 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick. The part named most often is seat belts, with 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine cooling (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly 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.
- Seat belts4 57%
- Electrical system2 29%
- Engine cooling2 29%
- Fuel system1 14%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The contact owns a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick. The contact noticed that the check engine light was constantly illuminated on the instrument panel. On two occasions, he took the vehicle to the dealer and paid $100 to have the light turned off. There is a switch in the circuit that he cannot locate, but needs to remove it in order to prevent the check engine light from illuminating again. The Suzuki dealer will not remove the switch because it is a federally mandated malfunction, according to the paperwork the contact was provided. …”
NHTSA complaint #10266231, filed 2009-04, 50,000 milesMileage 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 50,000 and 50,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Suzuki Sidekick 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidekick Convertible 4WD | 1.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 24 | 26 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sidekick Convertible 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 24 | 26 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sidekick Convertible 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 22 | 24 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sidekick Hardtop 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 24 | 26 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sidekick Hardtop 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 22 | 24 | 23 | $2,900 |
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
- 95V103008May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Suzuki Sidekick 1989–1991, Samurai 1988–1991, Swift 1989–1991
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
Recall details for the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE90008Weld failure in structureClosed · Oct 19, 1989
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. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 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…
- 10014818May 10, 2005Engine cooling. Correct coolant usage.
Other model years of the Suzuki Sidekick
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 27 | 247,000 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 36 | — | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 59 | 76,421 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 26 | — | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 21 | — | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 14 | 51,000 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 10 | — | 0 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 14 | 170,000 | 1 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 50,000 | 1 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Suzuki Sidekick model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick 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 1989 Suzuki Sidekick get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick (Sidekick Convertible 4WD, 1.3L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 24 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 50,000 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 29, 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.