1999 Suzuki ESTEEM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
86,917 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 16 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 18.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 3; Suspension:Front: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Equipment: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10147496 · 2006-01-11 (January 11, 2006)
CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 45 MPH; BRAKES WERE APPLIED HARD; SUBFRAME (PART THAT ALL BALL JOINTS AND SUSPENSION ARMS BOLTS INTO) COLLAPSED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE CAUSING WHEEL TO BECOME UNSTABLE AND SEVERELY OUT OF ALIGNMENT. (WHEN MEASURED, THE PASSENGER WHEEL WAS +/-1-1/2" CLOSER TO THE REAR OF INNER FENDER, AND WOULD GRIND ONTO THE INNER FENDER. THE PART WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW REPLACEMENT PART. THE OLD PART WAS RUSTED THROUGH AT SEVERAL POINTS. THE OLD PART IS IN MY POSSESSION AND PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 99,980 miles reported. Look up ODI 10147496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 557818 · 2000-11-20 (November 20, 2000)
THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB FAILED. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042919 · 2003-10-14 (October 14, 2003)
1999, SUZUKI, ESTEEM WAGON TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 33,000 MILES 05-09-2002, SUZUKI REPAIRED IT FREE OF CHARGE, EVEN THOUGH WARRANTY EXPIRED 2 MONTHS EARLIER. CURRENTLY, AT 48,000 MILES IT HAS STARTED MAKING THE SAME NOISES AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS PARKED TO AVOID FURTHER DAMAGE. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO CONSUMER THAT THE FIRST TIME IT DID THIS WAS BECAUSE INTERNAL TRANSMISSION BROKE OFF INSIDE HOLDING PLATE, CAUSING GEARS AND BEARINGS TO MALFUNCTION DUE TO DEBRIS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 868729 · 2000-08-25 (August 25, 2000)
WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MPH. CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER NOTED THAT MANUAL TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 868729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8013894 · 2002-07-15 (July 15, 2002)
VEHICLE STALLED AT 20 MPH. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8013894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 765259 · 2002-08-06 (August 6, 2002)
THE 1999 SUZUKI ESTEEM I PURCHASED STARTED HAVIN G TROU BLE KEEPING UP SPEED ON 5-29-02,THEY REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT IT, UNTIL A MONTH LATER WHEN I WENT BACK UP THERE AGAIN. THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS HTAT THERE IS SEALANT ON THE #1 PLUG, AND ALL THEY SAY IS WRONG WITH IT IS THE #1 FUEL INJECTOR,WHICH THEY WANT $500.00 TO PUT IT IN.IVE HAD AT LEAST 3 OTHER MECHANICS TELL ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN, OR THE HEAD IS CRACKED ON THE CAR, AND THE DEAL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 765259 at NHTSA ↗