Owners have filed 32 complaints
about the 1994 Suzuki Sidekick with NHTSA between 1995 and 2002.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 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 — 39
Against the median year of the Suzuki Sidekick. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.9% 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.
How 1994 compares with every other Suzuki Sidekick
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1994 Suzuki Sidekick
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
825.0%
Engine & Cooling
618.8%
Body & Structure
412.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Tires
39.4%
Suspension
39.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Brakes
39.4%
Electrical System
26.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Doors, Latches & Locks
13.1%
Lights
13.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Steering
13.1%
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.
Mar 1995peak 6Mar 2002
Recalls on the 1994 Suzuki Sidekick
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.
United States — NHTSA
94V073002
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE RIGHT REAR AND LEFT AXLE SHAFT HOUSING TUBES WERE INCORRECTLY WELDED AND CAN FRACTURE. FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE SHAFT HOUSING CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE LINE.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE LINE RESULTS IN LOSS OF ONE-HALF OFTHE BRAKING SYSTEM, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE. IN EITHER CASE, AN ACCIDENTCAN OCCUR.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19940764,080 units in Canada
Brakes
NOTE: 2 DOOR VEHICLES ONLY. THE REAR AXLE HOUSING ASSEMBLIES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, WHICH COULD ALLOW A WELDING FRACTURE AT THE AXLE SHAFT HOUSING TUBE TO THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE. FRACTURE OF THE AXLE SHAFT HOUSING COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REAR BRAKING AND ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: REAR AXLE HOUSING ASSEMBLY WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF REQUIRED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Newman, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE STARTED TO CATCH ON FIRE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, FIRE BEGAN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #8003403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wakefield, KS2 injured1 killed
STRUCTURE
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY OVERSTEERING, THE VEHICLE HAD VEERED OFF OF THE ROADWAY AND THE DRIVER TURNED THE VEHICLE SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, WHICH CAUSED IT TO ROLL OVER APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES, 3 OUT OF FOUR OCCUPANTS HAD BEEN THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE 2 SEVERE INJURIES AND 1 DEATH BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, SEAT BELTS HAD NOT BEEN USED. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, NCFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
UPON TURNING ON HEAD LAMP SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN, NOTICED SMOKE, THEN FLAMES, FANNED OUT, RESULT HEAD LAMP AND PARK LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #984276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, NJCrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER WHEN HIT ON FRONT PASSENGER'S DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #486227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, NJCrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM SIDE AND IT ROLLOVER. TT
NHTSA complaint #965049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Plymouth, MA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CONSUMER HEARD A CREAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING, DURING INSPECTION OF VEHICLE THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALL THE WELDS CAME APART. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8006413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newman, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE STARTED TO CATCH ON FIRE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, FIRE BEGAN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #8003403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westborough, MA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
PLASTIC PORTION OR THE REAR DOOR LATCH KEEPS MELTING WITHIN DAYS OF BEING INSTALLED. NO OBVIOUS REASON FOR FAILURE. DOOR WILL NOT STAY LATCHED.
NHTSA complaint #745633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wakefield, KS2 injured1 killed
STRUCTURE
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY OVERSTEERING, THE VEHICLE HAD VEERED OFF OF THE ROADWAY AND THE DRIVER TURNED THE VEHICLE SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, WHICH CAUSED IT TO ROLL OVER APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES, 3 OUT OF FOUR OCCUPANTS HAD BEEN THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE 2 SEVERE INJURIES AND 1 DEATH BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, SEAT BELTS HAD NOT BEEN USED. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
WHILE DRIVIN GON HIGHWAY CAR LOST CONTROL. CAR WOULD NOT STEER OR BRAKE GOING ACROSS THE ROAD. THEN IT SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT BRAKE HOUSING DIFFERENTIAL CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #850710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Verona, PA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
MOUNT BOLT AT A/C COMPRESSOR ADJUSTMENT BROKE CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO LOOSE TENSION RESULTING IN POWER STEERING LOSS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #546555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuskegee, AL
POWER TRAIN
WHEN DRIVING HEARD A HUMBLE NOISE, AND NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER JUMPED. CONSUMER CAN'T DETERMINE HOW FAST THEY ARE TRAVELING. NOW THE ENTIRE NEEDLE IS OFF THE SPEEDOMETER AND IS LYING ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK
NHTSA complaint #830336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THERMOSTAT FAILED, BELTS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #537519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
EGR VALVE STUCK AND SENSOR FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #537519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
DEALER IS UNABLE TO CORRECT VEHICLE EMISSION PROBLEM; VEHICLE GIVES OFF FUEL VAPOR INTO VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #828889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ECM UNIT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #537519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
EGR VALVE STUCK AND SENSOR FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #537519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THERMOSTAT FAILED, BELTS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #537519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, LA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
SPRING IN REAR DOOR LATCH SEPERATED FROM OTHER PARTS CAUSING LATCH TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #527458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allenwood, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. TT
NHTSA complaint #973451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maywood, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
HAD BRAKING (ABS) PROBLEM 1 YR AGO, AT SERVICE CENTER MECHANIC SAID WRONG CALIPER PUT ON, NOW PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, TOOK IT TO MECHANIC IN MIDDLE OF NIGHT, INFORMED CALIPER SEAL HAD BUSTED & HAD WRONG ROTORS ON LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #806391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maywood, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
HAD BRAKING (ABS) PROBLEM 1 YR AGO, AT SERVICE CENTER MECHANIC SAID WRONG CALIPER PUT ON, NOW PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, TOOK IT TO MECHANIC IN MIDDLE OF NIGHT, INFORMED CALIPER SEAL HAD BUSTED & HAD WRONG ROTORS ON LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #806391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holbrook, NY
TIRES
TIRES PROVIDE INSUFFICIENT TRACTION , RESULTING IN VEHICLE SKIDDING IN WET CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #485610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holbrook, NY
TIRES
BRIDGESTONE TIRES FAIL TO STOP ON WET ROADS.
NHTSA complaint #483016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calvert, AL
POWER TRAIN
ODOMETER/SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #501257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calvert, AL
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR END PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #501257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, NCFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
UPON TURNING ON HEAD LAMP SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN, NOTICED SMOKE, THEN FLAMES, FANNED OUT, RESULT HEAD LAMP AND PARK LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #984276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calvert, AL
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
SPACER DRIVE BEVEL FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #501336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calvert, AL
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
SPACER DRIVE BEVEL FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #501336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calvert, AL
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
RIGHT AXLE BEARING FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #501336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.