Suzuki SAMURAI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 to 1998 model years. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 34 complaints (14.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 |
| Suspension:Front | 5 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 4 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 4 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 5; Suspension:Front: 5; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 4; Tires:Tread/Belt: 4; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 2; Steering: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 34 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 | 20 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
1995: 20; 1996: 6; 2000: 4; 2001: 2; 2003: 2
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 484380 · 1995-07-24 (July 24, 1995)
ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE TRANSMISSION AREA. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 855615 · 2000-01-27 (January 27, 2000)
WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 855615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485887 · 1995-07-05 (July 5, 1995)
STEERING MECHANISM FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ROLLOVER. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485887 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 |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
1986: 0; 1987: 0; 1988: 1; 1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1991: 1; 1992: 0; 1994: 0; 1998: 0