U.S. public vehicle records

2000 Suzuki ESTEEM: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

26 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

96,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2000 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 10 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 26 complaints (19.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	5	19.2%
Transmission and shifting	1	3.8%
Braking behavior	1	3.8%

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.

Structure:Frame And Members

Suspension

Unknown Or Other

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

Structure

Suspension:Front

Visibility:Windshield

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Structure:Frame And Members	5
Suspension	5
Unknown Or Other	3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	2
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch	2
Structure	2
Suspension:Front	2
Visibility:Windshield	2

Structure:Frame And Members: 5; Suspension: 5; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 2; Structure: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Visibility:Windshield: 2

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: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 16 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.

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2000: 4; 2001: 3; 2002: 3; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 1

Pattern summary

Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 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 10015114 · 2003-04-03 (April 3, 2003)

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *JB THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER CALLED ON FOUR OCCASIONS WITH NO SUCCESS. THE (EMISSIONS) RECALL WASN'T HONORED BY THE DEALER. SCC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015114 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10061965 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)

I HAVE A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM. BOTH DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN. THE FIRST BROKE ABOUT A MONTH AGO. NOW A MONTH LATER, THE OTHER HAS BROKEN. I CANNOT LOCK MY CARE AND MAY ONLY ENTER FROM THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, HERE IN BATON ROUGE. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE BECAUSE I FELT THAT THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THAT, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE DOOR HANDLES IN LOTS OF SUZUKI ESTEEMS, THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE $58.00 PER DOOR HANDLE AND $70.00 PER DOOR FOR LABOR. I AM EXT…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10061965 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10096642 · 2004-10-12 (October 12, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE CHILD CAME OUT OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT, ALTHOUGH THE CHILD WAS PROPERLY RESTRAINED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 66,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096642 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10107078 · 2005-01-10 (January 10, 2005)

THE LATCH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS BROKEN AND OWNER IS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. OWNER HAS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR BY USING THE REAR DOOR. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10107078 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10197287 · 2007-07-23 (July 23, 2007)

I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM HOME FROM UPTOWN WITH MY SISTER AND 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WHEN A NOISE WHICH WAS FAINT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS GREW QUICKLY LOUDER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT, PRACTICALLY OUT OF MY HANDS. I GRASPED THE STEERING WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD JUST TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. I WAS ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 20-25 MPH. I FOUGHT THE DIFFICULT STEERING LONG ENOUGH AT A VERY SLOW SPEED TO GET THE CAR TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE. I PARKED THE CAR THERE AND CALLED MY HUSBAND AT WORK TO EXPLAIN W…

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197287 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10226715 · 2008-05-05 (May 5, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER WHEEL WENT OUT OF THE ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT SUB- FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. UPDATED 05/20/08

Owner-reported narrative. 122,367 miles reported. Look up ODI 10226715 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10293783 · 2009-11-28 (November 28, 2009)

I WAS A LICENSED MECHANIC FOR MANY YEARS WITH A LOT OF EXPERTISE. I BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM TWO YEARS AGO. WE LIVE IN MICHIGAN AND I BOUGHT THIS PARTICULAR CAR BECAUSE IT WAS FROM VIRGINIA AND WAS IMMACULATE NOT LIKE THE CARS FROM THE RUST BELT HERE IN MICHGAN. SHE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT ALL OF A SUDDEN, VIOLENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING PULLED VERY HARD. SHE CALLED ME I TOLD HER TO STOP THE CAR AND LET ME INSPECT IT. SHE GOT IT TO A SAFE AREA AND ALSO TOLD ME THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS "BENT IN". I INSPECTED IT AND IMME…

Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293783 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10335859 · 2010-06-11 (June 11, 2010)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. WHILE MOVING OFF THE ROADWAY AND ONTO THE SHOULDER, THE GRINDING NOISE BECAME MORE SEVERE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FRONT K FRAME WAS SEVERELY ROTTED AND THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD RIPPED THROUGH THE MAIN FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10335859 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.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

26 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

38.5%Usable mileage10 / 26 records

92.3%Valid incident date24 / 26 records

100.0%Valid filing date26 / 26 records

92.3%Ordered incident and filing dates24 / 26 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	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Structure:Frame And Members	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	114.3% ODI 10279480 · 125,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10279480 at NHTSA ↗	416.7% ODI 10292502 · 138,702 mi 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… Look up ODI 10292502 at NHTSA ↗	315.0% ODI 10133020 · 55,000 mi I OWN A 1999 SUZUKI ESTEEM, 55,000 MILES, CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE. MY SUB FRAME RUSTED IN HALF AND BROKE. THE AAA PERSON THAT TOWED THE CAR, 2 MECHANICS, AND EVERY MALE I HAVE TOLD ARE APPALLED THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED. MY MECHANIC CALLED FRED MARTINS SUZUKI, WHERE IS WAS PURCHASED, AND SPOKE TO THE MECHANIC THERE. HE WAS TOLD 3 SUBFRAMES HAD BEEN FIXED DURING THE MONTH OF JULY, BUT NO RECALL WAS MADE. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE STRONGEST PARTS OF THE CAR. FRED MARTIN SUZUKI HAS INFORMED ME THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE , AFTER ALL THE C… Look up ODI 10133020 at NHTSA ↗	519.2% ODI 10197287 · 80,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM HOME FROM UPTOWN WITH MY SISTER AND 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WHEN A NOISE WHICH WAS FAINT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS GREW QUICKLY LOUDER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT, PRACTICALLY OUT OF MY HANDS. I GRASPED THE STEERING WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD JUST TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. I WAS ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 20-25 MPH. I FOUGHT THE DIFFICULT STEERING LONG ENOUGH AT A VERY SLOW SPEED TO GET THE CAR TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE. I PARKED THE CAR THERE AND CALLED MY HUSBAND AT WORK TO EXPLAIN W… Look up ODI 10197287 at NHTSA ↗	628.6% ODI 10242615 2001 SUZUKI ESTEEM WAGON FRONT CROSS MEMBER FRAME RUSTED OUT. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NJ Look up ODI 10242615 at NHTSA ↗	240.0% ODI 10251398 · 67,050 mi SOLE OWNER 2002 SUZUKI ESTEEM WAGON WITH ROTTED K-FRAME AND RUSTED WHEELS. SUZUKI WILL ONLY COVER K-FRAME PART AND DEALER WANTS $390. FOR LABOR. ARE THERE OTHER SUZUKI VEHICLES WITH REPORTED ROTTED K-FRAMES?. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 2002. THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO ROTTED FRAME. *TR Look up ODI 10251398 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	17.7% ODI 10466498 · 70,000 mi CAR EXHIBITED A TENDENCY TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AT FIRST. AFTER TURNING A CORNER THE CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT. GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE FRONT OF THE CAR WANDERED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. AFTER I PARKED THE CAR AND RE STARTED THE ENGINE WHEN I PUT IT INTO GEAR A LOUD BANGING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND IT DID NOT MOVE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. BANGING STOPPED IN NEUTRAL AND PARK. I JACKED UP THE CAR AND THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED THRU RIGHT NEXT TO WHERE THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM ATTACHED TO IT. *TR Look up ODI 10466498 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	114.3% ODI 10493024 · 185,500 mi 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 Look up ODI 10493024 at NHTSA ↗	416.7% ODI 10369432 · 100,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10369432 at NHTSA ↗	15.0% ODI 10446634 · 149,000 mi MY 99 ESTEEM STARED PULLING TO ONE SIDE WHILE DRIVING. AS I ATTEMPTED TO GET IT HOME THE WHEEL WOULD RUB ON THE INNER FENDER WELL WHEN TURNING. UPON INSPECTION WHEN I GOT HOME I FOUND THE DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH ON TOP AND OUTER SIDES WITH ONLY THE INSIDE PORTION INTACT. THIS PART HAD BENT ALLOWING MY WHEEL TO CHANGE POSITION. THE REST OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE SEEMS TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE WHILE THIS SECTION HAS RUSTED AWAY. THANKFULLY, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR THAT I DID NOT HIT A POTHOLE WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD HAVE BROK… Look up ODI 10446634 at NHTSA ↗	519.2% ODI 10457250 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM SEDAN. THE SUBFRAME AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXEL RUSTED THROUGH AND COLLAPSED WHILE TURNING CORNER. LOUD GRINDING OF TIRES. THIS CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL TO BE PUSHED BACK INTO THE WHEEL WELL. REPAIRED COST OF $1200. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT AS THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN, BUT IF THESE PARTS HAD FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT IS QUITE LIKELY A FATAL ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. I HAVE SEARCHED ON LINE AND FOUND THAT OTHER SUZUKI OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS SAME PROBLEM. I WROTE TO CORPORATE RELATIONS AT SUZUKI… Look up ODI 10457250 at NHTSA ↗	314.3% ODI 10588723 · 115,000 mi I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND TOOK THE EXIT AND THEN TURNING RIGHT FROM STOP SIGN ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR AND THEN HEARD A CLICK AND THEN TIRE WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE CAR BODY THE KFRAME GOT RUSTED AND TWISTED PUSHING THE TIRE BACK AND STEERING WHEEL OFF. *TR Look up ODI 10588723 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.	28.3% ODI 734386 REPORTED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD UNDERCARRIAGE WAS LOOSE AND RUBBING ON TIRES TO CAUSE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION, BUT IT STILL SHAKES AND VIBRATES Look up ODI 734386 at NHTSA ↗	315.0% ODI 10147496 · 99,980 mi CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 45 MPH; BRAKES WERE APPLIED HARD; SUBFRAME (PART THAT ALL BALL JOINTS AND SUSPENSION ARMS BOLTS INTO) COLLAPSED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE CAUSING WHEEL TO BECOME UNSTABLE AND SEVERELY OUT OF ALIGNMENT. (WHEN MEASURED, THE PASSENGER WHEEL WAS +/-1-1/2" CLOSER TO THE REAR OF INNER FENDER, AND WOULD GRIND ONTO THE INNER FENDER. THE PART WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW REPLACEMENT PART. THE OLD PART WAS RUSTED THROUGH AT SEVERAL POINTS. THE OLD PART IS IN MY POSSESSION AND PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. *JB Look up ODI 10147496 at NHTSA ↗	27.7% ODI 10226715 · 122,367 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER WHEEL WENT OUT OF THE ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT SUB- FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. UPDATED 05/20/08 Look up ODI 10226715 at NHTSA ↗	29.5% ODI 10259958 · 60,000 mi FRONT SUBFRAME ON A 2001 SUZUKI, ESTEEM CRACKED. CALL SUZUKI DEALER TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR THAT PROBLEM AND THE ANSWER WAS NO. WHICH I THINK THERE SHOULD BE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR IS NOT THAT OLD TO HAVE DOES KIND OF PROBLEMS. PART AND LABOR WILL BE REALLY EXPENSIVE CLOSE TO A $1,000 DOLLARS FOR REPAIR. WHEN I TALKED TO THE PERSON IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT, TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR THE SAME PART FOR REPAIR LATELY, THIS IS WHY I THINK IS A RECALL ISSUE AND SUZUKI SHOULD WARRANTY THIS KIND OF PARTS THEY… Look up ODI 10259958 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	17.7% ODI 975421 UPON IMPACT, DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 30MPH, 12:00 ON FRONT BUMPER, PASSENGERS AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. TT Look up ODI 975421 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 811053 DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY, HIT THE BRAKES BUT REARENDED VEHICLE ANYWAY; DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY; WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ESTEEM WAS TOTALED. *AK Look up ODI 811053 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	416.7% ODI 547933 ON 8-31-98 THE WHOLE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WAS WRECKED, AIRBAGS EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT DURING COLLISION. *YC Look up ODI 547933 at NHTSA ↗	15.0% ODI 843773 HAD RESISTANT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HAD SHIFTED INTO DRIVE & TAPPED ACCELERATOR PEDAL & IT BECAME STUCK. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INSIDE THE GARAGE & HIT A PILLAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. NO INJURIES. *AK Look up ODI 843773 at NHTSA ↗	13.8% ODI 885059 WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH HIT A DEER HEAD-ON , AND DUAL AIRBGAS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK, CAUSING BACK INJURIES. CONSUMER HAD TO EMBRACE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO PREVENT OTHER INJURIES. *AK Look up ODI 885059 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	17.7% ODI 843849 VEHICLE WOULD DIE AFTER GOING 50MPH. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER & THE FUEL FILTER, PUMP, ALTERNATOR & BATTERY HAD BEEN CHANGED OR REPLACED AT LEAST 9 DIFFERENT TIMES. IT'S AN ERRACTIC OPERATION. *AK Look up ODI 843849 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 831708 WHEN DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE PULLEY: CRANKSHAFT BROKE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING, AND THE BALACING AND THE TIMING BELT WAS DAMAGED AND THE BOLT CAME OFF. *AK Look up ODI 831708 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	210.0% ODI 709722 WE BOUGHT THE CAR ON JUNE 13, 1999 AND AFTER TWO WEEKS NOTICED DROPS OF OIL IN DRIVEWAY, THE PROBLEM WASN'T VERY NOTICEABLE AT FIRST THAN AROUND 5 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VECHICLE NOTICED MORE OIL BUT BIGGER DROPS AND UNDER THE HOOD OIL THAT HAD BEEN SPRAYING OVER THE ENGINE. WE TOOK THE VECHICLE IN ON JULY 28, 1999 TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS SHOWN TO BE A CRACKED GASKET COVER . THE VECHILE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 1 WHOLE WEEK . WE PICKED UP THE VECHICLE WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT THE VECHICLE WAS CHECKED OVER AND REPAIRED ON AUG 4TH 1999. … Look up ODI 709722 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	29.5% ODI 10042806 · 36,700 mi WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE MAKE A TICKING NOISE AS IF IT NEEDED OIL, BUT IT DIDN'T. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY INDICATED THAT THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY AN INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM. AK CB *JB Look up ODI 10042806 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 10007050 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON 6 TIMES AND THERE IS NO COMPUTER CODE. GAS GAUGE IS INACCURATE. JB NLM ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*768037 TS Look up ODI 10007050 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	430.8% ODI 511007 ANTILOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP 5 TIMES. Look up ODI 511007 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 811053 DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY, HIT THE BRAKES BUT REARENDED VEHICLE ANYWAY; DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY; WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ESTEEM WAS TOTALED. *AK Look up ODI 811053 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	15.0% ODI 849592 WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING AT 20MPH VEHICLE KEPT GOING, REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS VEHICLE CURRENTLY. *AK Look up ODI 849592 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	17.7% ODI 803393 BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BRAKES LOCKUP/ UNEVEN WEAR, MAKES A LOUD NOISE. *AK Look up ODI 803393 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	228.6% ODI 521849 BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT. Look up ODI 521849 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	15.0% ODI 557818 THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB FAILED. *SLC Look up ODI 557818 at NHTSA ↗	13.8% ODI 558516 CONSUMER HEARS A CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. *SLC Look up ODI 558516 at NHTSA ↗	14.8% ODI 896206 WHILE ENTERING A RAMP CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO SLOWDOWN AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. CONSUMER HAD TO RUN CAR UP ON CONCRETE TO STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT BRAKES FELT SMUSHY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK Look up ODI 896206 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Tires	215.4% ODI 10111982 · 80,000 mi BRAKES LOCKING UP AT HIGH SPEEDS,EPLACED MASTER CYLINDER,REPLACED CV AXLE AND BOOT,ENT OBJECT REPORTED,RUNK LEAKS AND WATER WHERE SPARE SITS,REPLACED CATALYIC CONVERTER,END RIMS WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC CAR WAS WRECKED BEFORE PURCHASED . *AK Look up ODI 10111982 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	14.2% ODI 10213950 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 Look up ODI 10213950 at NHTSA ↗	15.0% ODI 738467 I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT SOME ADDITIONAL DEFECTIVE FIRESTONE TIRES. *AK (DOT NUMBER: ELBOCLJ129 TIRESIZE: P185/60R14) Look up ODI 738467 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	14.8% ODI 882764 VEHICLE PURCHASED WITH YOKOHAMA A460 P195/55R15 TIRES. IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS VEHICLE SKIDS WHEN MAKING A TURN, IN RAIN IT SLIDES. YOKOHAMA REPRESENTATIVE STATED THIS TYPE TIRE WILL CAUSE THESE PROBLEMS IN 50 AND BELOW DEGREE WEATHER.AK DOT # FD8NNHB1700, YOKOHAMA ADVEN A-460 TIRES. SLC Look up ODI 882764 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 8008716 ORIGINAL TIRE ON SUZUKI, ESTEEM 2002, P18560R14 DOT ELBODEH340. WHILE TRAVELING AT 10 MPH ON SLIGHTLTY WET PAVEMENT CONSUMER WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID. VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO TIP OVER. CONSUMER FEELS THERE IS A DEFECT IN TIRES. AK JG Look up ODI 8008716 at NHTSA ↗

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
Structure:Frame And Members	90,000–96,000 mi	96,000 mi	5	ODI 10197287 · 80,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM HOME FROM UPTOWN WITH MY SISTER AND 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WHEN A NOISE WHICH WAS FAINT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS GREW QUICKLY LOUDER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT, PRACTICALLY OUT OF MY HANDS. I GRASPED THE STEERING WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD JUST TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. I WAS ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 20-25 MPH. I FOUGHT THE DIFFICULT STEERING LONG ENOUGH AT A VERY SLOW SPEED TO GET THE CAR TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE. I PARKED THE CAR THERE AND CALLED MY HUSBAND AT WORK TO EXPLAIN W… Look up ODI 10197287 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10226715 · 122,367 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER WHEEL WENT OUT OF THE ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT SUB- FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. UPDATED 05/20/08 Look up ODI 10226715 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10293783 · 96,000 mi I WAS A LICENSED MECHANIC FOR MANY YEARS WITH A LOT OF EXPERTISE. I BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM TWO YEARS AGO. WE LIVE IN MICHIGAN AND I BOUGHT THIS PARTICULAR CAR BECAUSE IT WAS FROM VIRGINIA AND WAS IMMACULATE NOT LIKE THE CARS FROM THE RUST BELT HERE IN MICHGAN. SHE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT ALL OF A SUDDEN, VIOLENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING PULLED VERY HARD. SHE CALLED ME I TOLD HER TO STOP THE CAR AND LET ME INSPECT IT. SHE GOT IT TO A SAFE AREA AND ALSO TOLD ME THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS "BENT IN". I INSPECTED IT AND IMME… Look up ODI 10293783 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	Too few reports for a range	116,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10475269 · 153,000 mi VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND RUMBLED UPON TURNING... APPARENTLY SUZUKI KNOWS OF THE RECALL BUT IS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR OUTSIDE MARCH 2012. TR Look up ODI 10475269 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10638725 · 80,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER BAR FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. Look up ODI 10638725 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front	Too few reports for a range	122,367 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10226715 · 122,367 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER WHEEL WENT OUT OF THE ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT SUB- FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. UPDATED 05/20/08 Look up ODI 10226715 at NHTSA ↗

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
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
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 (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

2001: 5 complaints · 2002: 3 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2001	2	3	5
2002	3	3	3

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2001	19	1	1
2002	4	1	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	Structure:Frame And Members	Suspension	Unknown Or Other	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch	Structure	Suspension:Front	Visibility:Windshield
Structure:Frame And Members	—	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10226715 · 122,367 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER WHEEL WENT OUT OF THE ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT SUB- FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. UPDATED 05/20/08 Look up ODI 10226715 at NHTSA ↗	0
Suspension	0	—	0	0	0	1 ODI 10500361 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT END PROBLEMS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR UNAUTHORIZED REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR FRONT END PROBLEMS. WHILE THERE, HE WAS INFORMED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR A FRAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY CONFIRMED, THAT IN FACT, THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER, STATING A MISTAKE HAD BEEN MADE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS NO… Look up ODI 10500361 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Unknown Or Other	0	0	—	1 ODI 763589 IT STARTED IN NOVEMBER 2000 MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT IN TO LITHIA IN OREGON THEY RESET IT . IN MARCH OF 2001 MYENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN SO I TOOK IN LITHIA IN SPARKS NV THEY RESET AGAIN . 13 MARCH 2002 THERE WAS A RECALL ON A FUEL VAPOR CONTROL VALVE AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN THEY REPLACE THE FUEL VAPOR CONTROL VALVE AND SAID THAT WAS MY PROBLEM 12 DAYS LATER IT HAPPEN AGAIN SO THEY REPLACE MY CANISTER AIR VALVE.06/20/2002 IT CAME ON AGAIN BUT I HAVE'NT TOOK IT IN YET. Look up ODI 763589 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	0	0	1 ODI 763589 IT STARTED IN NOVEMBER 2000 MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT IN TO LITHIA IN OREGON THEY RESET IT . IN MARCH OF 2001 MYENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN SO I TOOK IN LITHIA IN SPARKS NV THEY RESET AGAIN . 13 MARCH 2002 THERE WAS A RECALL ON A FUEL VAPOR CONTROL VALVE AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN THEY REPLACE THE FUEL VAPOR CONTROL VALVE AND SAID THAT WAS MY PROBLEM 12 DAYS LATER IT HAPPEN AGAIN SO THEY REPLACE MY CANISTER AIR VALVE.06/20/2002 IT CAME ON AGAIN BUT I HAVE'NT TOOK IT IN YET. Look up ODI 763589 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Structure	0	1 ODI 10500361 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT END PROBLEMS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR UNAUTHORIZED REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR FRONT END PROBLEMS. WHILE THERE, HE WAS INFORMED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR A FRAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY CONFIRMED, THAT IN FACT, THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER, STATING A MISTAKE HAD BEEN MADE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS NO… Look up ODI 10500361 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 558516 CONSUMER HEARS A CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. *SLC Look up ODI 558516 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front	1 ODI 10226715 · 122,367 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER WHEEL WENT OUT OF THE ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT SUB- FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. UPDATED 05/20/08 Look up ODI 10226715 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Visibility:Windshield	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 558516 CONSUMER HEARS A CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. *SLC Look up ODI 558516 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

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

2 patterns with matching reports.

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 3.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 80,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10197287 · 80,000 mi

Look up ODI 10197287 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 3.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 763589

IT STARTED IN NOVEMBER 2000 MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT IN TO LITHIA IN OREGON THEY RESET IT . IN MARCH OF 2001 MYENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN SO I TOOK IN LITHIA IN SPARKS NV THEY RESET AGAIN . 13 MARCH 2002 THERE WAS A RECALL ON A FUEL VAPOR CONTROL VALVE AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN THEY REPLACE THE FUEL VAPOR CONTROL VALVE AND SAID THAT WAS MY PROBLEM 12 DAYS LATER IT HAPPEN AGAIN SO THEY REPLACE MY CANISTER AIR VALVE.06/20/2002 IT CAME ON AGAIN BUT I HAVE'NT TOOK IT IN YET.

Look up ODI 763589 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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