1997 Suzuki Sidekick Problems
- Complaints
- 36filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl RWD · 21 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 9 complaints (25% of the total), followed by suspension (9) and transmission and drivetrain (7). Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Engine cooling9 25%
- Suspension9 25%
- Air bags4 11%
- Other or unknown4 11%
- Brakes3 8.3%
- Electrical system3 8.3%
- Equipment3 8.3%
- Steering3 8.3%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “While driving the bracket that the cooling fan and air conditioning compressor mount to cracked and separated. The cooling fan was thrown into the radiator and caused the radiator to fail suddenly. The cooling fan and bracket piece also damaged the front of the air conditioning compressor causing failure.”
NHTSA complaint #723888, filed 2000-06Suspension: “Nhtsa id# 00v-008-000 manufacture id #w2 the dealership is refusing to service the recall because the computer reading shows that the front struts where already serviced on april 13, 2000. The consumer debates the print from the manufacturer. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #8007787, filed 2002-04Transmission and drivetrain: “Purchased this Sidekick july 24, 2001. Within days the engine soon light came on and stayed on. Due to a 30 day 1000 mile extended warranty I took the Sidekick to the ford dealership purchased at. The Sidekick was taken to the Suzuki dealership for evaluation. It was determined that the solenoid and valve body were defected. A remanufactured transmission was placed in the vehicle due to cost analysis. After 1.5 weeks in the shop I picked up my Sidekick. Within 3 days the check engine soon light came on and stayed on. Returned the Sidekick to the ford dealership where purchased. …”
NHTSA complaint #751119, filed 2001-08Air bags: “Consumer was traveling at approximately 35 to 40 MPH under cold/ dry conditions when vehicle hit a dip in road, causing loss of control, and vehicle went over a snow bank, and impacted a tree on front center area of vehicle. Drivers and passengers air bags failed to deploy. Dealership has not given consumer any reason for cause of defect. *Suzuki was in possession of air bags, and vehicle was considered to be a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #886214, filed 2001-04Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 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 | 2 / 3 | — | — | — |
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 1997 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 2Door 2WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Sidekick 2Door 2WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 22 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Sidekick 2Door 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Sidekick 2Door 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 22 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Sidekick 4Door 2WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Sidekick 4Door 2WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Sidekick 4Door 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Sidekick 4Door 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 23 | 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
- 00V008000Jan 20, 2000SuspensionCovers: Suzuki Sidekick 1996–1997
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Insufficient strength of the mounting base on the upper end of the front struts can lead to breakage of the mounting bolts that attach the upper end of the front struts to the vehicle body.
Recall details for the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
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 1997 Suzuki Sidekick have?
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 9 complaints (25% of the total), followed by suspension with 9.
Has the 1997 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 1997 Suzuki Sidekick get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick (Sidekick 2Door 2WD, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 21 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.