1989 Suzuki SamuraiProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 1989 Suzuki Samurai, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 16, 2001. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Suzuki Samurai has problems

2 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 belts10
Tires10

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

1 recall

1989 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

1989 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Suzuki Samurai, and the recalls they led to.

  1. 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.

RECEIVED ARECALL NOTICE FOR SEAT BELT BUCKLES. AFTER RECALL WORK WAS DONE, SEAT BELTS NOW ARE WORST. CHILD ALMOST FLEW OUT OF SEAT BECAUSE OF REPLACEMENT BUCKLES. *AK
Complaint 813139 · Jun 16, 1997

Own a 1989 Samurai?

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