1996 Suzuki Sidekick Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year write mainly about front suspension and clutch problems, with brake, cooling, and airbag complaints following behind. Many accounts involve worn or broken front-end parts on a vehicle that is by now decades old, while several suspension complaints are about difficulty getting the front strut recall repair performed because parts were unavailable.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Front strut / suspension mount problems and recall parts

   • 13 complaints (22%)
   • typically at 4.5 yrs old
   • filed 2000–2002

   Complaints describe the front end dropping, a wheel collapsing while pulling into a driveway, and vehicles pulling or vibrating at speed even after alignment and new tires. Several owners say they received the front strut mounting recall notice but the dealer had no parts, could not schedule the work, or put them on back order; others describe repeat visits. Repairs reported include replacing front struts and adjusting the frame. Reported across a wide mileage range in this sample, most often after many years of use and frequently tied to the 2000 strut-mount recall campaign.

   Recall 00V0080001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the front strut mounting recall (00V008000) was completed and keep the receipt; inspect upper strut mounts, lower ball joints, and control arms for cracks or looseness.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer received recall (00v008) letter for the front strut mounting. Dealer has been contacted. The consumer was told by the dealer that they had no parts available to repair the recalled component, it took one month for the dealer to receive the part to make the necessary repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #859659, filed 2000-04

   “Recall 00 v 008000 /front struts: c after contacting the dealer: (knoxville, ford lincoln, Suzuki; knoxville, tn; phone# 865/688-4600, he stated that they would inspect the struts, and only make repairs if it needed. Feel free to provide any further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #8005500, filed 2002-03
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Clutch pedal, linkage and hard shifting

   • 10 complaints (17%)
   • median 76,421 mi at 12.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2007

   Owners describe clutch pedals that drop to the floor or separate from the pivot shaft, broken clutch linkage and clutch arm parts, and gears that are hard to engage or downshift, sometimes needing two hands. Complaints say dealers replaced pedal rods, linkage pieces, cables and clutch components, and in some cases the problem returned; one owner reported repeated pedal weld failures. Reported from roughly 50,000 miles upward in this sample, with several owners describing two or three repeat failures over time.

   What to check: Press the clutch pedal and check the pedal bracket and weld at the pivot shaft for cracks; ask whether the clutch cable, pedal assembly or linkage has been replaced, and test shifting through all gears.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “It seems these troubles are unusual for any car owner and very costly!! The speedometer was relaced by my husband with a part bought online for $50 in one day, where the dealer would have had it for a week and charged us $350. However, the clutch is a much bigger problem. The dealer quoted the part at $51, with labor at $700. I cannot afford to fix this problem that should have never happened in the first place. …”

   NHTSA complaint #746328, filed 2001-06

   “This is the second time in two years that I'll need to have my clutch repaired/replaced. It will not go into 1st or reverse without using excessive force. Passenger side power window barely goes up and down-it's been repaired before. Rear passenger side panel falling off car.”

   NHTSA complaint #705522, filed 1999-04
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying or deploying unexpectedly

   Mentioned in 4 of 40 sampled complaints

   Owners describe airbags that did not deploy in a head-on or sliding impact, and in one case airbags that deployed at very low speed in a driveway, with the passenger bag catching fire and the driver bag breaking the window. Another owner reported the smell of propellant and a hissing noise inside the cabin with the engine running. Reported across the sample's full age range, including collisions at low and moderate speeds.

   What to check: Check for an airbag warning light with the ignition on and ask whether the airbag system has ever been serviced or inspected; note that this is an older design with limited diagnostic history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Passive restraints, air bags: driving approximately 25mph when vehicle came to an intersection , other vehicle did not stop and was hit head-on. Neither air bag deployed. Took vehicle into dealer for repairs, and he said that sometimes it's best if airbags don't deploy . Dealer would not perform repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #810953, filed 1997-05

   “Consumer was sitting in parking lot with engine on, heard loud hissing noise, smelled foul odor, and noticed that propelant or chemicals of airbag was being released inside vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #828187, filed 1998-09

Buying note. Have a mechanic inspect the front suspension and clutch pedal assembly closely, and confirm in writing whether the front strut mounting recall was completed. Given the age of this model year, service records for brakes, cooling and clutch work are more useful than mileage alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 40 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.