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1997 Suzuki Esteem

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
7Owner complaints

Model-year median: 16.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
13
19955
19967
199724
199820
199926
2000
Compare all Esteem years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Structure
2Equipment
1Seat Belts
1
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Air
1Suspension
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Structure complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
185,500 miles · Jan 15, 2013
StructureSuspension

DRIVING ALONG BIG TIMBER STRAIGHT AT 40 MPH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND STARTED TO SHAKE, I MANAGED TO STAY STRAIGHT UNTIL I TURNED LEFT TO MEADOWS RD. I MADE IT HOME OKAY IN THE COMPLEX BUT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE CAR AGAIN. NEXT DAY LOOKED AT THE UNDER CARRIAGE AND THEN NOTICED THE RUSTED OUT SUB F…

Read full complaint

DRIVING ALONG BIG TIMBER STRAIGHT AT 40 MPH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND STARTED TO SHAKE, I MANAGED TO STAY STRAIGHT UNTIL I TURNED LEFT TO MEADOWS RD. I MADE IT HOME OKAY IN THE COMPLEX BUT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE CAR AGAIN. NEXT DAY LOOKED AT THE UNDER CARRIAGE AND THEN NOTICED THE RUSTED OUT SUB FRAME (CRADLE) BY THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) CONTROL ARM.THIS CAR IS GARAGE KEPT IF THAT MEANS ANYTHING. WELL THIS CERTAINLY IS A BUMMER, I'LL HAVE TO FIGURE ON HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT A REASONABLE EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493024

125,000 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SUZUKI ESTEEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART THAT SUPPORTS THE A-FRAME WAS RUSTED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10279480

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.