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1997 Suzuki Sidekick

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
36Owner complaints

Model-year median: 14

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
21
199426
199559
199636
199727
19981
2000
Compare all Sidekick years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
9Suspension
9Power Train
7Air Bags
4Unknown Or Other
4
All reported categories
Visibility
4Electrical System
3Equipment
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Steering
3Structure
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
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: 0 of 36 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

Steering complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2002
SteeringCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON ROAD AT NIGHT, THEN WOKE UP IN HOSPITAL. WITNESS SAID THAT DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND HIT MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, THEN ROLLED OVER. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8004607

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2001
SteeringCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH CONSUMER SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT STRUT ROD HAD BROKEN, CAUSING THE CRASH. *AK THE LEFT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY HAS SEPARATED BETWEEN THE INNER LINK AND THE ADJUSTING SLEEVE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #894411

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentSteering

THE A/C COMPRESSOR BRACKET BROKE OFF FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER THE BRACKET BROKE, THE TRUCK OVERHEATED. WHILE LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD THERE WERE SEVERAL PARTS INCLUDING THE FAN, POWER STEERING AND A/C BELTS LOOSE.

NHTSA ODI #540734

Official recalls

1

00V008000 · Suspension

Jan 20, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING BASE ON THE UPPER END OF THE FRONT STRUTS CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE UPPER END OF THE FRONT STRUTS TO THE VEHICLE BODY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE STRUT BROKE LOOSE, A DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT, FOR BOTH FRONT STRUTS, BETWEEN THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING BASE AND THE VEHICLE BODY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING BASES, MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUTS, AND STRUT BAR STAYS WILL BE REPLACED.

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.