1991 Suzuki Sidekick Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 170,000miles, 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
- 23 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl RWD · 22 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Suzuki Sidekick (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1991 Suzuki Sidekick. The part named most often is seat belts, with 10 complaints (71% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and fuel system (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 170,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. 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 and 1 NHTSA investigation 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 belts10 71%
- Electrical system1 7.1%
- Fuel system1 7.1%
- Other or unknown1 7.1%
- Body and structure1 7.1%
- Tires1 7.1%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “The front passenger and rear left seat belts on our 1991 Suzuki Sidekick have both failed this week. We have had no accidents in the car. The front right seat belt has locked in its case, making it impossible to use. The left rear seatbelt no longer lo.”
NHTSA complaint #707945, filed 1999-06Other or unknown: “I have a century carseat, model 4387lht, mfg date 010697, that has a buckle that suddenly stopped working. It would no longer buckle closed. Upon calling century products I was told that often kids stick foreign items in the hole where the buckle is causing this problem. I can absolutely guarantee this did not happen and it is a defect in the product. Century products did not want the carseat sent back to them to investigate. I still have the carseat but obviously am not using it. …”
NHTSA complaint #704346, filed 1999-03Mileage 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 170,000 and 170,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1991 Suzuki Sidekick. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidekick · coupe | not rated | 1 / 1 | — | — | — |
| Sidekick · sedan | not rated | 1 / 1 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 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 2WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 24 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sidekick Hardtop 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 24 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sidekick Hardtop 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 23 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Sidekick Hardtop 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 22 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Sidekick Hardtop 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 21 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Sidekick Soft-top 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 25 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sidekick Soft-top 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 22 | 21 | $3,200 |
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 1991 Suzuki Sidekick → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE92087Seat blt locks-stow posit.Closed · Dec 2, 1992
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 1991 Suzuki Sidekick have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1991 Suzuki Sidekick as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Suzuki Sidekick is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 10 complaints (71% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 1991 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 1991 Suzuki Sidekick get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Suzuki Sidekick (Sidekick 2WD, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 22 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Suzuki Sidekick reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 170,000 miles and the middle half falls between 170,000 and 170,000 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.