Menu

Suzuki SidekickYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 220 NHTSA owner complaints across 11 model years, no Suzuki Sidekick year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. The Sidekick has 4 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years'95 '96 '97 '98Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints220Top: Engine and engine coolingSafety recalls41989–2000 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Suzuki Sidekick years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sidekick median. Tap a year for its full report.

'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2000Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1998Solid49/10027 complaints · 0 recalls1997Solid52/10036 complaints · 1 recall1996Solid43/10059 complaints · 2 recalls1995Solid59/10026 complaints · 0 recalls1994Not rated–/10021 complaints · 1 recall1993Not rated–/10014 complaints · 1 recall1992Not rated–/10010 complaints · 0 recalls1991Not rated–/10014 complaints · 1 recall1990Not rated–/1005 complaints · 1 recall1989Not rated–/1007 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Suzuki Sidekick problems

All model years combined: 220 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
Engine and engine cooling342
Suspension334
Power train322
Seat belts231
Service brakes, hydraulic221
Electrical system182
Air bags1712
Structure143
Visibility120
10 other systems5210
4 recalls

Suzuki Sidekick recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Suspension00V-008 · 1996–1997 · Jan 20, 2000 · 13,461 vehicles–Storage: tank assembly96V-121 · 1996 · Jul 2, 1996 · 4,325 vehicles–Front: buckle assembly95V-103 · 1989–1991 · May 24, 1995 · 127,155 vehicles–Suspension: rear94V-073 · 1993–1994 · Apr 16, 1994 · 5,247 vehicles
4 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Sidekick

  1. TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA95006 · 1988–1991 · closed Aug 2, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-103
  2. REAR AXLE HOUSING FAILUREPE94011 · 1993 · closed Apr 20, 1994
    Led to recall 94V-073
  3. SEAT BLT LOCKS-STOW POSIT.PE92087 · 1991 · closed Apr 27, 1993
    No recall
  4. WELD FAILURE IN STRUCTUREPE90008 · 1989 · closed Apr 30, 1990
    No recall