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1988 Suzuki SamuraiProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 20 owner complaints about the 1988 Suzuki Samurai, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints2011 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem11Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 17, 2001. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Suzuki Samurai has problems

20 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts111
Structure21
Suspension22
Tires21
Steering11
Power train10
Seats11
Engine and engine cooling10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1988 Suzuki Samurai recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 95V-103 · May 24, 1995 · 127,155 vehicles

Risk. THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Suzuki.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Samurai year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Samurai median. How we score

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'94'98
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Suzuki Samurai, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ROLLOVERDP88011 · closed Sep 1, 1988
    No recall
  2. VEHICLE STABILITYDP88019 · closed Sep 1, 1988
    No recall
  3. TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA95006 · closed Aug 2, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-103
In owners' words

What Samurai owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

FRONT COMBINATION SHOULDER/LAP BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AS INTENDED; DIFFICULTY PULLING BELT OUT; SOMETIMES WILL NOT RETRACT; HOLDS TIGHTER THAN NORMAL; HANGS LOOSE
Complaint 963705 · Apr 13, 1995
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTOR WILL NOT RETRACT THE BELT, AND WILL NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER IN CASE OF A VEHICLE COLLISION. *AK
Complaint 815017 · Sep 3, 1997
RECALL #95V103 SEAT BELT BUCKLE: RECEIVED NOTICE IN OCT. OF 96 CALLED TO TAKE VEHICLE IN AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE TOO BUSY. MADE AN APPOINTMENT IN NOVEMBER 1996 AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE THREE TO FOUR DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD GET TO IT. VEHICLE STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
Complaint 810409 · Mar 26, 1997

Own a 1988 Samurai?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.