1997 Suzuki SWIFT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission:Floor Shift Assembly | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission:Shift Pattern Indicator | 1 |
Air Bags: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission:Floor Shift Assembly: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission:Shift Pattern Indicator: 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. 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
1998: 1; 2000: 2; 2001: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering 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 830901 · 1998-11-17 (November 17, 1998)
RECALL 98V225002. THE SHIFT LEVER WILL MOVE FREELY WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES OR THE BUTTON. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, OTHER INCIDENTS OCCUR THAN WHAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 830901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856580 · 2000-02-09 (February 9, 2000)
RECALL # 98V225002. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 9001772 · 2000-07-18 (July 18, 2000)
FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL CAR DOWN A HILL, ACROSS A YARD, ACROSS A STREET AND HIT A POLE. NO KEYS WERE IN THE VEHICLE, AUTOMATIC CAR, TOTALLED LOST
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 9001772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 9003027 · 2001-06-19 (June 19, 2001)
AFTER THE CRASH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED VERY SLIGHTLY, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 9003027 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.
98V225002 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Reported: 1998-10-06 (October 6, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE SHIFT LEVER APPEARS TO BE IN "PARK," BUT CAN EASILY BE MOVED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITHOUT THE USE OF THE KEY, TRANSAXLE LEVER DETENT BUTTON, OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE.
Consequence: IF THE SHIFT LEVER WERE TO COME OUT OF "PARK" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A NON-LEVEL SURFACE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, OWNERS ARE ADVISED WHEN SHIFTING TO "PARK," ALWAYS APPLY THE PARK BRAKE BEFORE RELEASING THE SERVICE BRAKE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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.
| Component | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1997 | 1998 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 506826SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER DURING COLLISION, CAUSING DRIVER'S HEAD TO GO THROUGH WINDSHIELD, RESULTING IN LACERATIONS TO THE FACE. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 9003027AFTER THE CRASH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED VERY SLIGHTLY, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. | 150.0%ODI 898895COMPUTER FOR AIR BAG SYSTEM HAS TOTALLY FAILED AT 12,000 MILE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER A WARRANTY / RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK | 150.0%ODI 106720942000 SUZUKI SWIFT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AS HE WAS TRYING TO AVOID ANOTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A LOSS. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 120.0%ODI 862987WHILE DRIVING HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW UP & CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER'S VIEW TO BE OBSTRUCTED. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP & MANUFACTURER ABOUT HOOD LATCH. VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP & TOWED TO MECHANIC.CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS IN ACCIDENT, AND DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE HOOD LATCH. PROBLEM WITH HOOD HAD HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE.*AK | 133.3%ODI 963345CALLED TO DEALER WAS GIVEN RUN AROUND CALLED BACK FOR APPT.WENT AND WAS TOLD PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. TT | 228.6%ODI 522381DESIGN FLAW, NO WARNING LIGHT ON DASH TO WARN IS HOOD IS UNLATCHED. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 120.0%ODI 977007WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCED DRIVER'S BACK REST FAILURE, WHEN ABRUPTLY SHEARED OFF SEAT, NO COLLISION. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 976500PASSENGER SIDE SEAT TRACK FAILED TO HOLD SEAT IN PLACE UPON IMPACT;FORCED OCCUPANT INTO GLOVE COMPARTMENT; SEAT WENT FORWARD/BACKWARDS, SEAT BACK REST COLLAPSED | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 846032VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED N A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT THE SEATBACK BROKE, THROWING THE DRIVER OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK DRIVER WAS THROWM AGAINST PARTS OF THE CAR. THE DRIVER ENDED UP HANGING OUT OF THE VEHICLES BACK HATCH WHICH WAS FLUNG OPEN. JN | 120.0%ODI 489500DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S SEAT BACKS FAILED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING SEATS TO COLLAPSE. | 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. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 120.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 228.6% | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 976500PASSENGER SIDE SEAT TRACK FAILED TO HOLD SEAT IN PLACE UPON IMPACT;FORCED OCCUPANT INTO GLOVE COMPARTMENT; SEAT WENT FORWARD/BACKWARDS, SEAT BACK REST COLLAPSED | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 804693CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT, ALSO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CRACKED AROUND THE FRAME. *AK *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 8012058WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION AND AT A LIGHT, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. AS A RESULT, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATS FELL BACK, RESULTING IN MAJOR INJURIES TO PASSENGERS. ALSO, VEHICLE TOTALED. *AK *TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3% | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 803665THE DOOR HANDLE LATCHES HAVE BEEN BROKEN AND REPLACED (3) TIMES. THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, 8//9/94 & 8/20/96 AND THE LEFT FRONT DOOR 9/21/96. *AK | 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. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 808437THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 489500DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S SEAT BACKS FAILED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING SEATS TO COLLAPSE. | 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. |
| Structure:Body:Hood | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10678676 · 25,075 miI WAS DRIVING FROM FLORIDA, PUERTO RICO TO MANATI, PUERTO RICO THROUGH MONTE BELLO TOWARD CORTEZ, WHEN THE HOOD OPEN AND DAMAGE THE WINDOW, HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP AND BECAUSE NOT SEE AND LOCK THE HOOD. ON JAN 23, 2015, I CALLED SUZUKI AT [phone removed], I SPOKE TO THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF RECALLS AND THEY COULD NOT LOCATE MY VEHICLE IN THE SYSTEM, I WAS DIRECTED TO CONTACT CANADA AT 1 -[phone removed] AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN REACHING THAT NUMBER. THE RELIEF I REQUEST IS THAT SUZUKI FIX THE DEFECT MY HOOD LATCH AND PAY FOR THE FRONT WI… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 968577THE HOOD OF THE TRUCK DOESN'T CLOSE RIGHT AND IT SHAKES LIKE IT WANTS TO OPEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK | 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. |
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 | 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.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | 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.
2001: 3 complaints · 2002: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
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 | Air Bags | Power Train | Power Train:Manual Transmission:Floor Shift Assembly | Power Train:Manual Transmission:Shift Pattern Indicator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission:Floor Shift Assembly | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission:Shift Pattern Indicator | 0 | 0 | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.