Suzuki SIDEKICK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
134 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 to 2000 model years. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 134 complaints (9.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 7.5% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 6.0% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 6.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.0% |
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 | 13 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 10 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
| Suspension:Front | 8 |
| Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 5 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 5 |
| Tires | 5 |
Suspension: 13; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 10; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Suspension:Front: 8; Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 5; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 5; Tires: 5
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 127 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 | 26 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 2000 | 42 |
| 2001 | 18 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1995: 26; 1996: 20; 2000: 42; 2001: 18; 2002: 15; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2015: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 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 10024689 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH 1995 SUZUKI SIDEKICK. *MR *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8011429 · 2002-06-10 (June 10, 2002)
WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO GEAR IT MAKES A HARD BANGING NOISE. IT MOMENTARILY LOCKS UP THE POWER STEERING, AND CAUSES HESITATION AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHEER INFROMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8011429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 743551 · 2001-04-05 (April 5, 2001)
THE MASTER CYLINDER IS DEFECTIVE. THE BRAKES DRAG INTERMITENTLY, AND THE MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT THE "CHECK VALVE" INSIDE THE MASTER CYLINDER IS FAILING TO RELEASE WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN THE CHECK VALVE FAILS TO RELEASE, THE BRAKES DRAG, AND IF I NEED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY HARD TO PUSH. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO TWO REBUILT MASTER CYLINDERS, AND ALSO TO A NEW REPLACEMENT MASTER CYLINDER FROM SUZUKI.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 743551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504787 · 1996-05-21 (May 21, 1996)
BRAKE SHOES GRAB/MAKE NOISE WHEN MOIST. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504787 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019830 · 2004-01-26 (January 26, 2004)
AT APPROX. 90,000 MI., TURN SIGNAL STEM BEGAN MAKING LOUD BUZZING NOISE INTERMITTENTLY WHEN MOVED UPWARD (RIGHT BLINK). PROBLEM INCREASED SO THAT BY 138,000 MI. BUZZING HAPPENED WHENEVER STEM WAS MOVED UPWARD OR DOWNWARD (RIGHT OR LEFT BLINK). BY 140,000 MI. BUZZING WAS CONSTANT, WHETHER TURN SIGNAL STEM WAS ENGAGED OR NOT. THIS PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO ATTENTION OF DEALER FROM 1997 - 1999. DEALER WAS NON-RESPONSIVE, SAYING THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. WIRING WAS REPAIRED BY INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP, COSTING OVER $200. PROBLEM IS BEGINNIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019830 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962055 · 1995-03-16 (March 16, 1995)
STEERING KNUCKLE BETWEEN STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING BOX WORE PREMATURELY AT 50,000 MILES. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962055 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 855183 · 2000-01-20 (January 20, 2000)
PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING OUT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPLACED FUEL PUMP FUSE, ALTHOUGH DEALER WASN'T SURE WHAT CAUSED THE INCIDENT. VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING NORMAL AT THIS TIME. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 855183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976803 · 1995-12-19 (December 19, 1995)
FUEL TANK FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968403 · 1995-07-13 (July 13, 1995)
THE ALTERNATOR OVER POWERED THE SYSTEM, FRIED THE BATTERY *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968403 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 ↗
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 |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1991: 1; 1992: 0; 1993: 1; 1994: 1; 1995: 0; 1996: 2; 1997: 1; 1998: 0; 2000: 0