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1989 Suzuki SidekickProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 7 owner complaints about the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick, 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 complaints70 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 21, 2009. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick has problems

7 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 belts40
Electrical system20
Engine and engine cooling20
Fuel system, gasoline10
Visibility10

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

1 recall

1989 Suzuki Sidekick 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 Sidekick 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 Sidekick median. How we score

'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA95006 · closed Aug 2, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-103
  2. WELD FAILURE IN STRUCTUREPE90008 · closed Apr 30, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sidekick owners report

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

FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER/LAP BELT EXPLODED INTO BUNCH OF LITTLE PIECES, NOW INOPERATIVE, HAPPENED AS RELEASE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. *AK
Complaint 986721 · Jul 10, 1996

Own a 1989 Sidekick?

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