FaultScore report
Owners have filed 41 complaints about the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick with NHTSA between 1998 and 2019. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 6 worst.
FaultScore 68/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Suzuki Sidekick.
How this is worked out41
Complaints
10
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
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.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
6 crashes, 0 fires · median 159,000 mi
0 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 335,000 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
AIR BAGS
WAS IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT. FRONT END OF CAR PRETTY MUCH TOTALED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CODES OR LIGHT BEFORE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10724309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS A RESULT OF A VEHICLE CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8005650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED (CASE # 01-250-843-501, REPORT # 1023282). NLM
NHTSA complaint #560516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #744003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
CONSUME RWAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WAS GOING UP A HILL. WHEN REACHING THE TOP OF THE HILL, REAR END CAME FORWARD, AND VEHICLE WAS SIDEWAYS ON THE RAMP. VEHICLE VEERED OVER INTO AN ENBANKMENT, AND THEN AT THE AND THEN CAME OUT OF ENBANKMENT. VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING . REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #868480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON APRIL 12TH 2000, WHILE DRIVING MY SUSUKI SIDEKICK MY AIR BAGES DEPLOYED WITH OUT BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AT NO TIME DID I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE OR WAS I HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH MYSELF AND THE PASSNEGER INTHE FRONT SEAT WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS BUT WE DID SUSATIN MINOR INJURIES. INCLUDING AIR BAG BURNS AND LACERATIONS ON HTE FACE. I HAVE CALLED SUSUKI DERECTLY AS WELL AS THE DEALER. NO ONE HAS ACKNOWLEDGE THER IS A PROBLEM AND THE COMPANY IS EXPECTING ME TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES AND TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR THE TIME SINCE THE ACCIDENT BUT I HAVE NOW AGAIN STARTED TO USE THE CAR BECAUSE I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE. I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE AND I WOULD LIKE TO RETURN IT TO THE COMPANY AND BE LET OUT OF MY LEASE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED DOR MY TIME I DID NOT USE THE VEHICLE. I CONTINUE TO PAY THE LEASE ONTHE CAR BECAUSE I AM OBLIGATED TO PAY PER THE AGREEMENT. I FEEL SUSUKI IS OBLIGATED TO GIVE ME A VEHCILE THAT IS OPERATING PER THEIR AGREEMENT. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY WEHER WITH THEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE AND HELP YOU COULD OFFER ME IN THIS SITUATION. SINCERLY MICHELLE BUTEAU.
NHTSA complaint #724306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
TIRES
3 YEARS AGO I BOUGHT A SET OF 4 GOODYEAR WARNGLER DURATRAC TIRES FOR MY SUZUKI VITARA. AFTER APROX 1,5 YEARS I GO TO TIRE SERVICE SHOP TO REPAIR AIR LOSS AROUND THE RIM. WITH TIRE UNMOUNTED WE FOUND INNER LAYER SEPARATION. I REPORTED THIS TO THE SELLER AND AFTER CHECKING WITH GOODYEAR REPRESANTIVE THEY CHANGED THE TIRE WITH NEW ONE. AFTER ANOTHER APROX 1,5 YEARS I HAVE TO GO TO TIRE SHOP FOR ANOTHER REPAIR AND FOUND ANOTHER TIRE WITH SPLIT LAYERS. WE CHECKED ALL OTHER TIRES MINUS WARRANTY REPLACED ONE AND THEY ALL ARE SPLIT FROM INSIDE. I REPORTED THIS TO THE SELLER AND GOODYEAR REPRESENTIVE BUT THEY DIDN'T OFFER ANY SOLUTION YET.
NHTSA complaint #11185005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
WAS IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT. FRONT END OF CAR PRETTY MUCH TOTALED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CODES OR LIGHT BEFORE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10724309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS A RESULT OF A VEHICLE CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8005650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO FOUND IGNITION COIL WAS TOO CLOSE TO ENGINE BLOCK, AND HAD SHORTED OUT. DEALER REWIRED IGNITION COIL.
NHTSA complaint #889800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED (CASE # 01-250-843-501, REPORT # 1023282). NLM
NHTSA complaint #560516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #744003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WRONG SIZE GAS TANK IS EQUIPPED ON VEHICLE. *AK PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE, DRIVESHAFT FAILURE. BOLTS VIBRATED OUT OF EXHAUST NAMIFOLD. RECURRING NOISE FROM ENGINE PULLEY AREA. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WRONG SIZE GAS TANK IS EQUIPPED ON VEHICLE. *AK PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE, DRIVESHAFT FAILURE. BOLTS VIBRATED OUT OF EXHAUST NAMIFOLD. RECURRING NOISE FROM ENGINE PULLEY AREA. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WRONG SIZE GAS TANK IS EQUIPPED ON VEHICLE. *AK PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE, DRIVESHAFT FAILURE. BOLTS VIBRATED OUT OF EXHAUST NAMIFOLD. RECURRING NOISE FROM ENGINE PULLEY AREA. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WRONG SIZE GAS TANK IS EQUIPPED ON VEHICLE. *AK PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE, DRIVESHAFT FAILURE. BOLTS VIBRATED OUT OF EXHAUST NAMIFOLD. RECURRING NOISE FROM ENGINE PULLEY AREA. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WRONG SIZE GAS TANK IS EQUIPPED ON VEHICLE. *AK PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE, DRIVESHAFT FAILURE. BOLTS VIBRATED OUT OF EXHAUST NAMIFOLD. RECURRING NOISE FROM ENGINE PULLEY AREA. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXHAUST BOLTS VIBRATED LOOSE/BROKE OFF (7/15/98;1/4/99;11/19/99) IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES(1/4/99;11/17/99;11/19/99); DRIVE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES(1/15/99;11/19/99); MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE SECURED (2/26/99); CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (COMPLAINED 7/15/98;1/25/00. DIAGNOSED 6/12/00); NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION(6/12/00 TOLD NOISE NORMAL); DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD (6/12/00 TOLD BY DEALER NOISE NORMAL. 6/14/00 TOLD DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD DUE TO POOR DESIGN. 6/16/00 2ND ESTIMATE DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD). THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT CONTINUES TO STONEWALL REGARDING ISSUES WITH MY CAR. *AK ALSO WRONG , SMALLER SIZE GAS TANK WAS INSTALLED VEHICLE. MANFACTURER IS NOT SENDING NHTSA INFORMATION REGARDING TSB OR RECALLS.
NHTSA complaint #735624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST BOLTS VIBRATED LOOSE/BROKE OFF (7/15/98;1/4/99;11/19/99) IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES(1/4/99;11/17/99;11/19/99); DRIVE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES(1/15/99;11/19/99); MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE SECURED (2/26/99); CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (COMPLAINED 7/15/98;1/25/00. DIAGNOSED 6/12/00); NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION(6/12/00 TOLD NOISE NORMAL); DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD (6/12/00 TOLD BY DEALER NOISE NORMAL. 6/14/00 TOLD DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD DUE TO POOR DESIGN. 6/16/00 2ND ESTIMATE DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD). THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT CONTINUES TO STONEWALL REGARDING ISSUES WITH MY CAR. *AK ALSO WRONG , SMALLER SIZE GAS TANK WAS INSTALLED VEHICLE. MANFACTURER IS NOT SENDING NHTSA INFORMATION REGARDING TSB OR RECALLS.
NHTSA complaint #735624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
EXHAUST BOLTS VIBRATED LOOSE/BROKE OFF (7/15/98;1/4/99;11/19/99) IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES(1/4/99;11/17/99;11/19/99); DRIVE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES(1/15/99;11/19/99); MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE SECURED (2/26/99); CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (COMPLAINED 7/15/98;1/25/00. DIAGNOSED 6/12/00); NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION(6/12/00 TOLD NOISE NORMAL); DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD (6/12/00 TOLD BY DEALER NOISE NORMAL. 6/14/00 TOLD DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD DUE TO POOR DESIGN. 6/16/00 2ND ESTIMATE DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD). THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT CONTINUES TO STONEWALL REGARDING ISSUES WITH MY CAR. *AK ALSO WRONG , SMALLER SIZE GAS TANK WAS INSTALLED VEHICLE. MANFACTURER IS NOT SENDING NHTSA INFORMATION REGARDING TSB OR RECALLS.
NHTSA complaint #735624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
EXHAUST BOLTS VIBRATED LOOSE/BROKE OFF (7/15/98;1/4/99;11/19/99) IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES(1/4/99;11/17/99;11/19/99); DRIVE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES(1/15/99;11/19/99); MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE SECURED (2/26/99); CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (COMPLAINED 7/15/98;1/25/00. DIAGNOSED 6/12/00); NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION(6/12/00 TOLD NOISE NORMAL); DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD (6/12/00 TOLD BY DEALER NOISE NORMAL. 6/14/00 TOLD DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD DUE TO POOR DESIGN. 6/16/00 2ND ESTIMATE DRIVESHAFT CV JOINT BAD). THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT CONTINUES TO STONEWALL REGARDING ISSUES WITH MY CAR. *AK ALSO WRONG , SMALLER SIZE GAS TANK WAS INSTALLED VEHICLE. MANFACTURER IS NOT SENDING NHTSA INFORMATION REGARDING TSB OR RECALLS.
NHTSA complaint #735624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I SUDDENLY HEARD A WHIRRING AND SOUND AND THE BRAKES STARTED TO GRIND WHEN TRYING TO STOP. I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY BRAKING PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS EVENT.
NHTSA complaint #735451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
CONSUME RWAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WAS GOING UP A HILL. WHEN REACHING THE TOP OF THE HILL, REAR END CAME FORWARD, AND VEHICLE WAS SIDEWAYS ON THE RAMP. VEHICLE VEERED OVER INTO AN ENBANKMENT, AND THEN AT THE AND THEN CAME OUT OF ENBANKMENT. VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING . REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #868480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INSTABILITY WHEN CORNERING, SEVERE INSTABILITY IN WINDY CONDITIONS, TOP HEAVY, AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ROUGHLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD.
NHTSA complaint #724498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
INSTABILITY WHEN CORNERING, SEVERE INSTABILITY IN WINDY CONDITIONS, TOP HEAVY, AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ROUGHLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD.
NHTSA complaint #724498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON APRIL 12TH 2000, WHILE DRIVING MY SUSUKI SIDEKICK MY AIR BAGES DEPLOYED WITH OUT BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AT NO TIME DID I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE OR WAS I HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH MYSELF AND THE PASSNEGER INTHE FRONT SEAT WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS BUT WE DID SUSATIN MINOR INJURIES. INCLUDING AIR BAG BURNS AND LACERATIONS ON HTE FACE. I HAVE CALLED SUSUKI DERECTLY AS WELL AS THE DEALER. NO ONE HAS ACKNOWLEDGE THER IS A PROBLEM AND THE COMPANY IS EXPECTING ME TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES AND TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR THE TIME SINCE THE ACCIDENT BUT I HAVE NOW AGAIN STARTED TO USE THE CAR BECAUSE I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE. I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE AND I WOULD LIKE TO RETURN IT TO THE COMPANY AND BE LET OUT OF MY LEASE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED DOR MY TIME I DID NOT USE THE VEHICLE. I CONTINUE TO PAY THE LEASE ONTHE CAR BECAUSE I AM OBLIGATED TO PAY PER THE AGREEMENT. I FEEL SUSUKI IS OBLIGATED TO GIVE ME A VEHCILE THAT IS OPERATING PER THEIR AGREEMENT. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY WEHER WITH THEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE AND HELP YOU COULD OFFER ME IN THIS SITUATION. SINCERLY MICHELLE BUTEAU.
NHTSA complaint #724306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE OIL LEAKAGE FROM THE REAR MAIN OIL SEAL. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #551478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES
ROADMASTER TOW BAR THAT WAS INSTALLED ON THE TRUCK CONTINUED RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRES, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE TIRES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #860637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRINVING AT ABOUT 65 ANOTHER VEHICLE RAMMED INTO THE BACK OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON RIGHT HAND SIDE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS TOTALLY CALLAPSED. ALSO, GAS TANK BURSTED, AND FUEL SPLASHED INTO CONSUMERS FACE. CONSUMER FELT SEATS SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN LOOSE BECAUSE THEY WERE DESIGNED TO HOLD PASSENGER IN PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #859235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRINVING AT ABOUT 65 ANOTHER VEHICLE RAMMED INTO THE BACK OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON RIGHT HAND SIDE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS TOTALLY CALLAPSED. ALSO, GAS TANK BURSTED, AND FUEL SPLASHED INTO CONSUMERS FACE. CONSUMER FELT SEATS SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN LOOSE BECAUSE THEY WERE DESIGNED TO HOLD PASSENGER IN PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #859235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
OUR SIDEKICK IS A 98 AND THE ENGINE BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO BUY NEW HEAD LIGHTS EVERY TREE MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #720294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.