U.S. public vehicle records

Suzuki SIDEKICK problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

221 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

90,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1988 to 2000 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 7 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 221 complaints (6.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	22	10.0%
Transmission and shifting	14	6.3%
Steering behavior	12	5.4%
Fuel system concerns	10	4.5%
Electrical and battery issues	8	3.6%
Engine operation	7	3.2%

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.

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Air Bags:Frontal

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Suspension

Suspension:Front

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Power Train:Clutch Assembly

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly	15
Air Bags:Frontal	13
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	13
Suspension	13
Suspension:Front	12
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	11
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	7
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	7

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 15; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 13; Suspension: 13; Suspension:Front: 12; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 7

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

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). 214 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.

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2007

2009

2015

2019

1995: 26; 1996: 31; 1997: 21; 1998: 25; 1999: 30; 2000: 42; 2001: 18; 2002: 15; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2015: 2; 2019: 1

Pattern summary

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 14 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 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 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 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 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 ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

2000

1988: 0; 1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1991: 1; 1992: 0; 1993: 1; 1994: 1; 1995: 0; 1996: 2; 1997: 1; 1998: 0; 2000: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Suzuki SIDEKICK model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1988	1	0	Not available
1989	7	1	+1
1990	5	1	0
1991	14	1	0
1992	10	0	-1
1993	14	1	+1
1994	21	1	0
1995	26	0	-1
1996	59	2	+2
1997	36	1	-1
1998	27	0	-1
2000	1	0	Not available

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

221 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

3.2%Usable mileage7 / 221 records

80.5%Valid incident date178 / 221 records

100.0%Valid filing date221 / 221 records

80.5%Ordered incident and filing dates178 / 221 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	2000
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	457.1% ODI 960637 DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT UNLOCK. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT Look up ODI 960637 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 986514 DURING IMPACT, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASED FROM THE BELT BUCKLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK Look up ODI 986514 at NHTSA ↗	750.0% ODI 489946 HORN BUTTON CAME OFF. Look up ODI 489946 at NHTSA ↗	220.0% ODI 823891 HAD HEARD LOCKING MECHANISM CLICK ON SEAT BELTS. STARTED DRIVING & FELT THE LATCH UNLOCKED. SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAN BE UNLOCKED WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED NOT UNDER WARRANTY & OWNER WILL HAVE TO PAY. *AK Look up ODI 823891 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.8% ODI 732506 AFTER STOPPING AT DESTINATION, TOOK CHILD CAR SEAT OUT AND WHEN UNBUCKLED SEATBELT TO DO SO, SEATBELT WENT IN AS NORMAL, BUT LOCKED AND WILL NOT COME OUT, CANNOT USE THAT SIDE AT ALL W/ USAGE OF SEATBELT. EXPECTING ANOTHER CHILD, AND AM WORRIED. *AK Look up ODI 732506 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	46.8% ODI 10182340 TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1996 SUZUKI SIDEKICK SPORT ON AN ICY AFTERNOON HE PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH AND HIT THE UTILITY POLE, AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG POPPED AND BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE CENTER OF THE BAG. A NEIGHBOR SAW WHAT HAPPENED ,CAME OVER, OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR, AND BEAT THE FLAMES UNTIL THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND FORCED THE CONTACT LEFT HAND TO GO THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WHICH SHATTER,ED,AND CAUSED CONTUSIONS TO HIS KNUCKLES. THE… Look up ODI 10182340 at NHTSA ↗	38.3% ODI 820989 CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 12 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK Look up ODI 820989 at NHTSA ↗	622.2% ODI 540378 AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. Look up ODI 540378 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	17.1% ODI 502301 VEHICLE FIRE. Look up ODI 502301 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	27.7% ODI 706934 NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK Look up ODI 706934 at NHTSA ↗	35.1% ODI 516914 BELTS IN THE ENGINE SQUEAK WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED IN THE MORNING. Look up ODI 516914 at NHTSA ↗	411.1% ODI 520728 FRONT END WOBBLES WHILE DRIVING. Look up ODI 520728 at NHTSA ↗	311.1% ODI 551478 MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE OIL LEAKAGE FROM THE REAR MAIN OIL SEAL. *MJS Look up ODI 551478 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	711.9% ODI 552156 MOUNTING BOLTS BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (00V008) DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH. NLM Look up ODI 552156 at NHTSA ↗	513.9% ODI 551994 RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED (00V-008), HOWEVER THE MECHANIC FAILED TO REPAIR CORRECTLY, CONSUMER HAD TO RETURN FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIR. *MJS Look up ODI 551994 at NHTSA ↗	13.7% ODI 724498 INSTABILITY WHEN CORNERING, SEVERE INSTABILITY IN WINDY CONDITIONS, TOP HEAVY, AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ROUGHLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. *AK Look up ODI 724498 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension:Front	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	29.5% ODI 486227 VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER WHEN HIT ON FRONT PASSENGER'S DOOR. *AW Look up ODI 486227 at NHTSA ↗	311.5% ODI 519150 VEHICLE LOST CONTOL/ROLLED OVER ON DIRT ROAD, RESULTING IN INJURIES. *AK Look up ODI 519150 at NHTSA ↗	46.8% ODI 559098 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND EXPERIENCES CONTINUED VIBRATION, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, FRAME ADJUSTED, NEW TIRES PUT ON AND BALANCED, FRONT END ALIGNED, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE TIRES OR THE FRONT END SUSPENSION. CJ Look up ODI 559098 at NHTSA ↗	25.6% ODI 520728 FRONT END WOBBLES WHILE DRIVING. Look up ODI 520728 at NHTSA ↗	13.7% ODI 881518 CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WRONG SIZE GAS TANK IS EQUIPPED ON VEHICLE. AK PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE, DRIVESHAFT FAILURE. BOLTS VIBRATED OUT OF EXHAUST NAMIFOLD. RECURRING NOISE FROM ENGINE PULLEY AREA. SLC Look up ODI 881518 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	415.4% ODI 10024689 CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH 1995 SUZUKI SIDEKICK. MR SCC *JB Look up ODI 10024689 at NHTSA ↗	23.4% ODI 824358 INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN SLAMMING THE DOOR CLOSE OR ANY TYPE OF VIBRATION CAUSES THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE. THE WHOLE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. OWNER STILL EXPEREINCING A PROBLEM WITH TRUCK IF NOT IN GEAR. *AK Look up ODI 824358 at NHTSA ↗	411.1% ODI 748208 THESE PARTS WERE REPLACED WHEN I HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK Look up ODI 748208 at NHTSA ↗	13.7% ODI 724498 INSTABILITY WHEN CORNERING, SEVERE INSTABILITY IN WINDY CONDITIONS, TOP HEAVY, AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ROUGHLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. *AK Look up ODI 724498 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	110.0% ODI 10048323 WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AK SC Look up ODI 10048323 at NHTSA ↗	17.1% ODI 966464 WHILE DRIVING ENGINE FAILED/BLEW ESTIMATED SPEED 40 MPH DUE TO ROD FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT Look up ODI 966464 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	35.1% ODI 516914 BELTS IN THE ENGINE SQUEAK WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED IN THE MORNING. Look up ODI 516914 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	27.4% ODI 735624 EXHAUST BOLTS VIBRATED LOOSE/BROKE OFF (7/15/98;1/4/99;11/19/99) IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES(1/4/99;11/17/99;11/19/99); DRIVE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES(1/15/99;11/19/99); MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE SECURED (2/26/99); CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (COMPLAINED 7/15/98;1/25/00. DIAGNOSED 6/12/00); NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION(6/12/00 TOLD NOISE NORMAL); DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD (6/12/00 TOLD BY DEALER NOISE NORMAL. 6/14/00 TOLD DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD DUE TO POOR DESIGN. 6/16/00 2ND ESTIMATE DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD). … Look up ODI 735624 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	58.5% ODI 704513 CLUTCH WELD ATTACHMENT BROKEN: PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR UPON STARTING THE ENGINE. REOCCURING SIGNS OF "STICKING" OCCURED WHILE UP-SHIFTING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY SAFETY WAS IN JEOPORDY! CAR WOULD NOT HAVE STARTED-UP AGAIN, IF THE PEDAL BROKE DURING ANY TRIP. Look up ODI 704513 at NHTSA ↗	12.8% ODI 892698 CLUTCH KEEP PREMATURELY FAILING ABOUT 6-10 MONTHS DUE TO A WHITE PIECE THAT GOES AROUND CLUTCH THAT KEEPS BREAKING. CONSUMER HAS ALREADY REPLACED CLUTCH 6 TIMES.*AK Look up ODI 892698 at NHTSA ↗	13.7% ODI 735624 EXHAUST BOLTS VIBRATED LOOSE/BROKE OFF (7/15/98;1/4/99;11/19/99) IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES(1/4/99;11/17/99;11/19/99); DRIVE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES(1/15/99;11/19/99); MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE SECURED (2/26/99); CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (COMPLAINED 7/15/98;1/25/00. DIAGNOSED 6/12/00); NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION(6/12/00 TOLD NOISE NORMAL); DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD (6/12/00 TOLD BY DEALER NOISE NORMAL. 6/14/00 TOLD DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD DUE TO POOR DESIGN. 6/16/00 2ND ESTIMATE DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD). … Look up ODI 735624 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1998: 21 complaints · 2000: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1998	7	14	21
2000	1	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1998	21	6	0
2000	1	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly	Air Bags:Frontal	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Suspension	Suspension:Front	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Power Train:Clutch Assembly
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Air Bags:Frontal	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 834272 WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION/VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE LEFT, AND THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM THE HEATER. *AK Look up ODI 834272 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 834272 WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION/VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE LEFT, AND THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM THE HEATER. *AK Look up ODI 834272 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 520728 FRONT END WOBBLES WHILE DRIVING. Look up ODI 520728 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 516914 BELTS IN THE ENGINE SQUEAK WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED IN THE MORNING. Look up ODI 516914 at NHTSA ↗	0
Suspension	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 559098 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND EXPERIENCES CONTINUED VIBRATION, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, FRAME ADJUSTED, NEW TIRES PUT ON AND BALANCED, FRONT END ALIGNED, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE TIRES OR THE FRONT END SUSPENSION. CJ Look up ODI 559098 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 724498 INSTABILITY WHEN CORNERING, SEVERE INSTABILITY IN WINDY CONDITIONS, TOP HEAVY, AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ROUGHLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. *AK Look up ODI 724498 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Suspension:Front	0	1 ODI 834272 WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION/VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE LEFT, AND THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM THE HEATER. *AK Look up ODI 834272 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 520728 FRONT END WOBBLES WHILE DRIVING. Look up ODI 520728 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 559098 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND EXPERIENCES CONTINUED VIBRATION, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, FRAME ADJUSTED, NEW TIRES PUT ON AND BALANCED, FRONT END ALIGNED, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE TIRES OR THE FRONT END SUSPENSION. CJ Look up ODI 559098 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 834272 WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION/VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE LEFT, AND THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM THE HEATER. *AK Look up ODI 834272 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 881518 CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WRONG SIZE GAS TANK IS EQUIPPED ON VEHICLE. AK PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE, DRIVESHAFT FAILURE. BOLTS VIBRATED OUT OF EXHAUST NAMIFOLD. RECURRING NOISE FROM ENGINE PULLEY AREA. SLC Look up ODI 881518 at NHTSA ↗	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	1 ODI 834272 WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION/VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE LEFT, AND THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM THE HEATER. *AK Look up ODI 834272 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 724498 INSTABILITY WHEN CORNERING, SEVERE INSTABILITY IN WINDY CONDITIONS, TOP HEAVY, AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ROUGHLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. *AK Look up ODI 724498 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 834272 WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION/VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE LEFT, AND THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM THE HEATER. *AK Look up ODI 834272 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	1 ODI 516914 BELTS IN THE ENGINE SQUEAK WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED IN THE MORNING. Look up ODI 516914 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 881518 CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WRONG SIZE GAS TANK IS EQUIPPED ON VEHICLE. AK PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE, DRIVESHAFT FAILURE. BOLTS VIBRATED OUT OF EXHAUST NAMIFOLD. RECURRING NOISE FROM ENGINE PULLEY AREA. SLC Look up ODI 881518 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	1 ODI 735624 EXHAUST BOLTS VIBRATED LOOSE/BROKE OFF (7/15/98;1/4/99;11/19/99) IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES(1/4/99;11/17/99;11/19/99); DRIVE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES(1/15/99;11/19/99); MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE SECURED (2/26/99); CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (COMPLAINED 7/15/98;1/25/00. DIAGNOSED 6/12/00); NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION(6/12/00 TOLD NOISE NORMAL); DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD (6/12/00 TOLD BY DEALER NOISE NORMAL. 6/14/00 TOLD DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD DUE TO POOR DESIGN. 6/16/00 2ND ESTIMATE DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD). … Look up ODI 735624 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 735624 EXHAUST BOLTS VIBRATED LOOSE/BROKE OFF (7/15/98;1/4/99;11/19/99) IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES(1/4/99;11/17/99;11/19/99); DRIVE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES(1/15/99;11/19/99); MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE SECURED (2/26/99); CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (COMPLAINED 7/15/98;1/25/00. DIAGNOSED 6/12/00); NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION(6/12/00 TOLD NOISE NORMAL); DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD (6/12/00 TOLD BY DEALER NOISE NORMAL. 6/14/00 TOLD DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD DUE TO POOR DESIGN. 6/16/00 2ND ESTIMATE DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD). … Look up ODI 735624 at NHTSA ↗	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

6 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

7 mentions · 3.2% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 855183

Look up ODI 855183 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 801665

WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK

Look up ODI 801665 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 731869

ENGINE STALLED WHEN LET OFF GAS DURING TURN IN INTERSECTION ALMOST LOST CONTROL. THIS VEHICLE IS STANDARD SHIFT, NEED 3 FEET TO DRIVE. THIS APPEARS TO POSSABLY BE THE SAME ISSUE AS ODI ID 781364, 824717, 713749, 805550. DEALER SAYS ENGINE DEFECTIVE.

Look up ODI 731869 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

5 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 50,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10266231 · 50,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 SUZUKI SIDEKICK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON TWO OCCASIONS, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND PAID $100 TO HAVE THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. THERE IS A SWITCH IN THE CIRCUIT THAT HE CANNOT LOCATE, BUT NEEDS TO REMOVE IT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FROM ILLUMINATING AGAIN. THE SUZUKI DEALER WILL NOT REMOVE THE SWITCH BECAUSE IT IS A FEDERALLY MANDATED MALFUNCTION, ACCORDING TO THE PAPERWORK THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED. IF THE SWITC…

Look up ODI 10266231 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10048323

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *AK *SC

Look up ODI 10048323 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 751394

SUZUKI HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SOFTWARE IN THE VECHICLE TURNS ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT 50,000 REGARDLESS WHETHER THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED A LITTLE BEFORE 50,000 MILES. BECAUSE OF THIS LIGHT MY WIFE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VECHICLE UNTIL IT WENT IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN. SERVICE CENTER REPORTED NO PROBLEM WITH VECHICLE AFTER A $90 DIAGNOSTIC. THEY SPENT 1.5 HOURS LOOKING FOR A NON EXISTANT PROBLEM. ASKED SUZUKI TO REIMBURSE, THEIR CS REP LOURAINE AT [phone removed] HUNG UP AFTER ADMITTING TO THE 50K LIGHT BUT SAYING I…

Look up ODI 751394 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Steering assistance concerns

3 mentions · 1.4% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 546555

MOUNT BOLT AT A/C COMPRESSOR ADJUSTMENT BROKE CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO LOOSE TENSION RESULTING IN POWER STEERING LOSS. NLM

Look up ODI 546555 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 8011429

Look up ODI 8011429 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 540734

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.

Look up ODI 540734 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 0.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 743551

Look up ODI 743551 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 836420

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60MPH FRONT RIGHT TIRE STARTED SMOKING. PULLED TO SIDE & CHECKED. NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. HAD VEHICLE TOWED. MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING. HAD PADS, ROTORS & SHOES CHANGED. AFTER TRYING TO STOP, HAD NO BRAKES. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. *AK

Look up ODI 836420 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 0.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 821479

WHILE OUT DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STIFF; FEELS AT 55MPH BUT NOT LOW SPEED. WHEEL DOES NOT PASS STIFF AREA WHEN TURNING & SUDDENLY WOULD JERK. PRESSURE REGULATOR REPLACED BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

Look up ODI 821479 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 972355

TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD MAKING LOUD NOISES HAD IT INTO THE DEALERS 3 TIMES PROBLEM STILL NOT RESOLVED. TT

Look up ODI 972355 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 964433

WHILE DRIVING, SMELLED GAS; GAS WAS DRIPPING FROM MUFFLER ONTO GROUND; TOLD BY DEALER, FUEL INJECTION WAS PLUGGED UP; ONE REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. TT

Look up ODI 964433 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b