Suzuki ESTEEM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
95 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
99,980 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 45 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 95 complaints (22.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 14 | 14.7% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 8.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.1% |
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 | 21 |
| Suspension | 14 |
| Suspension:Front | 9 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Wheels | 4 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 21; Suspension: 14; Suspension:Front: 9; Tires: 6; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Wheels: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 7
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 50 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2000: 10; 2001: 13; 2002: 12; 2003: 4; 2004: 5; 2005: 5; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 6; 2009: 5; 2010: 7; 2011: 7; 2012: 7; 2013: 2; 2014: 5; 2015: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 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 559530 · 2001-02-07 (February 7, 2001)
THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND EVENTUALLY REPLACED, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACED PART. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 559530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448231 · 2012-02-16 (February 16, 2012)
I WAS DRIVING ON FLAT PAVED ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE SUBFRAME SNAPPED ON THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY JERK RIGHT WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED BUT THE CAR WAS PULLING VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF MILE TO A SPOT WHERE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY, I NOTICED THE SUBFRAME WHICH CONNECTS THE FRONT RIG…
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111982 · 2005-02-22 (February 22, 2005)
BRAKES LOCKING UP AT HIGH SPEEDS,EPLACED MASTER CYLINDER,REPLACED CV AXLE AND BOOT,ENT OBJECT REPORTED,RUNK LEAKS AND WATER WHERE SPARE SITS,REPLACED CATALYIC CONVERTER,END RIMS WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC CAR WAS WRECKED BEFORE PURCHASED . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10384308 · 2011-02-24 (February 24, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHIFTING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,524. ..UPDATED 09-26-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 10/01/2012 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 114,524 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384308 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 863815 · 2000-06-20 (June 20, 2000)
VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK FOR OVER TWO HOURS. THEN, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL LIGHTS, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863815 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 893993 · 2001-08-09 (August 9, 2001)
WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DIED. VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. THIS WAS SECOND TIME THAT PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED WHEN DRIVER LIFTED HOOD AND JIGGLED MASTER CONTROL FUSE (80 AMP) COME LOOSE. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 893993 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 ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 1