FaultScore

Worst years for a Suzuki Esteem

Owners have filed 191 complaints about the Suzuki Esteem with NHTSA across model years 1995 to 2002. More of them are about the body & structure than anything else.

Avoid

1998 Suzuki Esteem

36 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly body & structure.

Cleanest on record

1997 Suzuki Esteem

10 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every Suzuki Esteem year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2002 8 1 0 Body & Structure
2001 B 24 1 0 123,000 Body & Structure
2000 D 43 5 0 96,000 Body & Structure
1999 C 31 7 0 114,990 Engine & Cooling
1998 D 36 9 1 83,700 Body & Structure
1997 B 10 0 0 Brakes
1996 8 2 0 Brakes
1995 C 31 2 0 80,000 Brakes

What breaks on a Suzuki Esteem

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Body & Structure 36 18.8%

Worst in 2000

Brakes 27 14.1%

Worst in 1995

Suspension 26 13.6%

Worst in 2000

Engine & Cooling 16 8.4%

Worst in 2000

Airbags 13 6.8%

Worst in 1998

Transmission & Drivetrain 9 4.7%

Worst in 1995

Electrical System 8 4.2%

Worst in 1995

Fuel & Propulsion 8 4.2%

Worst in 1995

Steering 7 3.7%

Worst in 1998

Tires 7 3.7%

Worst in 1995

Seat Belts 7 3.7%

Worst in 1998

Lights 5 2.6%

Worst in 1999

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 4 2.1%

Worst in 2000

Wheels 4 2.1%

Worst in 2002

Exactly what failed on a Suzuki Esteem

The named sub-assemblies behind those complaints, across every model year.

Frame AND Members 21 28.0%
Front 9 12.0%
Frontal 9 12.0%
Foundation Components 8 10.7%
Engine 7 9.3%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 6 8.0%
Underbody Shields 5 6.7%
Body 4 5.3%
Brake Lights 3 4.0%
Pads 3 4.0%

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Suzuki Esteem, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Nov 1995 peak 14 Sep 2019

Compare the Suzuki Esteem

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.