1998 Suzuki SIDEKICK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
247,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 18.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Braking behavior | 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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Wrecker And Wheel Lift Devices | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Wrecker And Wheel Lift Devices: 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 | 2 |
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: 2
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 14 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 | 9 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 9; 2001: 4; 2002: 1; 2015: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns 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 735624 · 2000-11-02 (November 2, 2000)
EXHAUST BOLTS VIBRATED LOOSE/BROKE OFF (7/15/98;1/4/99;11/19/99) IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES(1/4/99;11/17/99;11/19/99); DRIVE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES(1/15/99;11/19/99); MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE SECURED (2/26/99); CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (COMPLAINED 7/15/98;1/25/00. DIAGNOSED 6/12/00); NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION(6/12/00 TOLD NOISE NORMAL); DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD (6/12/00 TOLD BY DEALER NOISE NORMAL. 6/14/00 TOLD DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD DUE TO POOR DESIGN. 6/16/00 2ND ESTIMATE DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD). …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735624 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 859235 · 2000-03-27 (March 27, 2000)
WHILE DRINVING AT ABOUT 65 ANOTHER VEHICLE RAMMED INTO THE BACK OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON RIGHT HAND SIDE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS TOTALLY CALLAPSED. ALSO, GAS TANK BURSTED, AND FUEL SPLASHED INTO CONSUMERS FACE. CONSUMER FELT SEATS SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN LOOSE BECAUSE THEY WERE DESIGNED TO HOLD PASSENGER IN PLACE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 859235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 724498 · 2000-06-25 (June 25, 2000)
INSTABILITY WHEN CORNERING, SEVERE INSTABILITY IN WINDY CONDITIONS, TOP HEAVY, AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ROUGHLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 724498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 889800 · 2001-06-05 (June 5, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO FOUND IGNITION COIL WAS TOO CLOSE TO ENGINE BLOCK, AND HAD SHORTED OUT. DEALER REWIRED IGNITION COIL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 889800 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 735451 · 2000-10-30 (October 30, 2000)
I SUDDENLY HEARD A WHIRRING AND SOUND AND THE BRAKES STARTED TO GRIND WHEN TRYING TO STOP. I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY BRAKING PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735451 at NHTSA ↗