1998 Suzuki ESTEEM: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 15 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 13.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 4; Suspension: 3; Seat Belts: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 8 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 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2004: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10097388 · 2004-10-26 (October 26, 2004)
RE: 1-131916218, 1998 SUZUKI ESTEEM CLUTCH FAILED. *BF SEAT BELT LOOSENING WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER'S SEAT COVER AND DOOR PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HESTIATION ON ACCELERATION. CLUTCH FAILED PREMATURELY. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 7,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10097388 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10213950 · 2008-01-03 (January 3, 2008)
1998 SUZUKI ESTEEM LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL. *KB THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED. OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT # 10-90-0789. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10213950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10292502 · 2009-11-17 (November 17, 2009)
98 SUZUKI ESTEEM CROSS MEMBER(ENGINE CRADLE) ON THE SUZUKI ESTEEM THE ENGINE CRADLE OR CROSS MEMBER ROT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE CAUSING INTO AN ACCIDENT ,CROSSMEMBER OR ENGINE CRADLE SUPPORTS LOWER CONTROL ARMS WHICH IF THE CROSSMEMBER LET GO WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO POSSIBLE CRASH IN MY EXPERIENCE AS A AUTO MECHANIC EVERY SINGLE SUZUKI ESTEEM THAT HAVE COME TO MY SHOP FOR STATE INSPECTION HAS FAIL DUE TO THE CROSS MEMBER THIS INCLUDES 98 TO 01 SUZUKI ESTEEM ,EVERY SINGLE CAR AT JUNKYARDS ARE RUSTED OUT WHICH MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR A C…
Owner-reported narrative. 138,702 miles reported. Look up ODI 10292502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10348235 · 2010-08-09 (August 9, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FRAME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER TO CALL NHTSA. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS UNABLE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10348235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10369432 · 2010-12-07 (December 7, 2010)
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER IN 1998 SUZUKI ESTEEM CRACKED OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH. CAR SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT, SINCE IT HAPPEN AT LOW SPEED I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY STOP. UPON INSPECTION OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER I FOUND OUT THAT RUSTING WAS SO EXTENSIVE THAT YOU COULD POKE A HOLE IN THE CROSS MEMBER BY SIMPLY PUSHING A SCREW DRIVER ON TO THE SURFACE OF THE CROSS MEMBER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10369432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10384308 · 2011-02-24 (February 24, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHIFTING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,524. ..UPDATED 09-26-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 10/01/2012 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 114,524 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448231 · 2012-02-16 (February 16, 2012)
I WAS DRIVING ON FLAT PAVED ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE SUBFRAME SNAPPED ON THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY JERK RIGHT WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED BUT THE CAR WAS PULLING VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF MILE TO A SPOT WHERE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY, I NOTICED THE SUBFRAME WHICH CONNECTS THE FRONT RIG…
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10662579 · 2014-12-06 (December 6, 2014)
WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY , SLOWED DOWN TO TAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO SIDE ROAD....THERE WAS A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND IMMEDIATE PULL OF CAR TO RIGHT...HAD TO FIGHT TO KEEP CONTROL OF CAR...WAS HARD TO STEER BUT DROVE HOME AT ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR...LUCKILY ONLY A QUARTER OF A MILE...PRETTY SURE IF IT HAD LET GO IF I'D HIT A BUMP OR SOMETHING DRIVING 55 ON THE HIGHWAY...THAT THE CAR WOULD HAVE FLIPPED...THAT'S HOW QUICKLY I LOST CONTROL...AFTER READING ALL OTHER REPORTS...TOO BAD THIS CAR HAD NOT BEEN RECALLED...I MIGHT NOT NOW BE WITHOUT A C…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10662579 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.