1996 Suzuki SIDEKICK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
76,421 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 28 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 7 |
| Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut | 4 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 3 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Suspension: 7; Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut: 4; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 3; Suspension:Front: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 2; Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle): 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 27 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
1996: 3; 2000: 12; 2001: 4; 2002: 5; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2007: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10212453 · 2007-12-20 (December 20, 2007)
CLUTCH PEDAL SEPARATES FROM PIVOT SHAFT. WELD BRAKES, PEDAL DETACHES, VEHICLE DISABLED. THIRD OCCURRENCE. OEM PEDAL REPLACEMENT REVEALS NO-WARRANTY, COMMON OCCURRENCE FAILURE MODE. PEDAL RE-ATTACHED TO SHAFT BY PROFESSIONAL WELDERS ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES. HAVE REPLACED CLUTCH CABLE, CLUTCH PLATE & THROWOUT BEARING WITHOUT RESOLUTION. HYDRAULIC REPLACEMENT INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 76,421 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 987243 · 1996-07-23 (July 23, 1996)
ON FIVE OCCASIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TRUCK DIDN'T STOP . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 987243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019369 · 2003-05-07 (May 7, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS NHTSA RECALL 96-V-121-002 RELATED TO THE FUEL TANK. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550434 · 2000-01-18 (January 18, 2000)
FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STRAPS OF WIRES ABOVE THE GAS TANK TO MELT,SHUTING OFF THE VEHICLE. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801665 · 1996-08-30 (August 30, 1996)
WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092513 · 2004-09-16 (September 16, 2004)
CONSUMER STATES THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. SHE STATES THAT SHE GOT INTO HER VEHICLE AND INSERTED THE KEY. SHE SAID THAT WHEN SHE TURNED THE KEY, IT SOUNDED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. SHE STATES SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, WAITED AND THEN TURNED THE IGNITION ON AGAIN, THEN SHE SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE, THEN THERE WAS FIRE. SHE SAID HER HUSBAND AND THE NEIGHBOR PUT THE FIRE OUT. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE SHE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FIRE . SHE SAID SHE HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW/USED MOTOR. SHE SAID SHE CA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10092513 at NHTSA ↗