1997 Suzuki SIDEKICK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 22 complaints (22.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 13.6% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.5% |
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 | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 2 |
| Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
Suspension: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 2; Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 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. 22 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 | 11 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
2000: 11; 2001: 5; 2002: 5; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 748208 · 2001-07-10 (July 10, 2001)
THESE PARTS WERE REPLACED WHEN I HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 748208 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 751119 · 2001-08-25 (August 25, 2001)
PURCHASED THIS SIDEKICK JULY 24, 2001. WITHIN DAYS THE " ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. DUE TO A 30 DAY 1000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY I TOOK THE SIDEKICK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP PURCHASED AT. THE SIDEKICK WAS TAKEN TO THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SOLENOID AND VALVE BODY WERE DEFECTED. A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO COST ANALYSIS. AFTER 1.5 WEEKS IN THE SHOP I PICKED UP "MY" SIDEKICK. WITHIN 3 DAYS THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. RETURNED THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8008801 · 2002-04-29 (April 29, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES FRONT OF CAR STARTED TO SHAKE CAUSING LOOSE STEERING, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHERE TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED. *YD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8008801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 858684 · 2000-03-16 (March 16, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD, AND DRIVER COULD NOT STEER. RECALL 200V008000/FRONT END STRUTS WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 858684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 731869 · 2000-09-19 (September 19, 2000)
ENGINE STALLED WHEN LET OFF GAS DURING TURN IN INTERSECTION ALMOST LOST CONTROL. THIS VEHICLE IS STANDARD SHIFT, NEED 3 FEET TO DRIVE. THIS APPEARS TO POSSABLY BE THE SAME ISSUE AS ODI ID 781364, 824717, 713749, 805550. DEALER SAYS ENGINE DEFECTIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 731869 at NHTSA ↗