FaultScore

Suzuki Sidekick vs Volvo 850

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Suzuki Sidekick Volvo 850
Complaints on file 298 732
Model years covered 1988–2000 1993–2000
Worst model year 1996 1996
Best model year 1993 1997
Crashes reported 26 45
Fires reported 11 51
Injuries reported 24 38
Deaths reported 1 3
Most complained-about part Engine & Cooling Brakes
Share of complaints involving harm 20.8% 18.7%

Suzuki Sidekick by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 43 14.4%
Suspension 34 11.4%
Brakes 29 9.7%
Electrical System 24 8.1%
Seat Belts 24 8.1%
Airbags 17 5.7%
Body & Structure 14 4.7%

Volvo 850 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Brakes 117 16.0%
Tires 45 6.1%
Airbags 42 5.7%
Seats 37 5.1%