Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 1997 Suzuki Esteem with NHTSA between 1998 and 2013.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 17
Against the median year of the Suzuki Esteem. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 52
10% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1997 Suzuki Esteem
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
330.0%
Body & Structure
220.0%
Median failure at 155,250 miles
Electrical System
220.0%
Equipment & Accessories
110.0%
Seat Belts
110.0%
Suspension
110.0%
Median failure at 185,500 miles
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 1998peak 2Jan 2013
Recalls on the 1997 Suzuki Esteem
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19982529,731 units in Canada
Electrical
Note: Vehicles equipped with a Suzuki accessory engine block heater. Certain vehicles may experience a high temperature condition in the silicone connector plug and/or electrical extension cord. Prolonged high temperatures in the plug and cord can result in material degradation and an electrical short circuit. Arcing from a short circuit in the presence of combustible materials could result in an engine compartment fire. Correction: Block heaters will be replaced/refurbished with new units or components incorporating an improved design.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Wales, ME1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DURING A COLLISION, PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. PASSENGER SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #535234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 185,500 milesGilberts, IL
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10493024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,500 milesGilberts, IL
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10493024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesMoorseville, IN
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10279480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, AR
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES , BEING PLASTIC, KEEP BREAKING AND YOU CAN'T GET IN THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #752943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fallon, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN STOPPED WORKING, CONSUMER NOT ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION . NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK STEREO AND TAPE PLAYER FAILED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #890469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fallon, NV
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
HORN STOPPED WORKING, CONSUMER NOT ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION . NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK STEREO AND TAPE PLAYER FAILED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #890469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Napchez, MS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXEPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAD A TOTAL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE MADE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #834572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Napchez, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXEPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAD A TOTAL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE MADE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #834572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #521849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wales, ME1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DURING A COLLISION, PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. PASSENGER SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #535234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.