1988 Suzuki SAMURAI: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 15 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 4 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 4; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 1; Steering: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 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. 15 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 | 8 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
1995: 8; 1996: 5; 2000: 1; 2001: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. 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 490542 · 1995-12-15 (December 15, 1995)
FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH BROKE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501073 · 1996-01-28 (January 28, 1996)
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT RELEASE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 733390 · 2000-10-04 (October 4, 2000)
TREAD SEPERATED (TIRESIZE: P205/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/75R15 )
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 733390 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 893013 · 2001-07-17 (July 17, 2001)
BRIDGESTONE, P205/70R15, DOT UNKNOWN, REPLACEMENT TIRE, MILAGE UNKNOWN ON A 1988, SUZUKI, SAMURAI. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HEARD A NOISE. THEN, VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL, SPUN AROUND 180 DEGREES AND HIT A TREE. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN. NO INJURIES. REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION, A 2 1/2 FEET LONG PIECE OF TREAD CAME OFF, TIRE WAS NOT FLAT. *AK TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE, CONVERTIBLE TOP AND REAR TIRE, DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK/NECK PAIN. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 893013 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960767 · 1995-02-28 (February 28, 1995)
FRONT SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTION, TAKATA SEAT BELTS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960767 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963705 · 1995-04-13 (April 13, 1995)
FRONT COMBINATION SHOULDER/LAP BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AS INTENDED; DIFFICULTY PULLING BELT OUT; SOMETIMES WILL NOT RETRACT; HOLDS TIGHTER THAN NORMAL; HANGS LOOSE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963705 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964339 · 1995-04-25 (April 25, 1995)
FRAME IS TO SMALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964411 · 1995-04-26 (April 26, 1995)
TRAVELING ON RAMP HIT CURB LOST CONTROL VEHICLE ROLLED OVER IN THE AIR. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964411 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
95V103008 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
NHTSA campaign record ↗