40 of the
298 complaints filed about the Suzuki Sidekick
are about the transmission —
13% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1996.
40
Complaints
13%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
CLUTCH PEDAL SEPARATES FROM PIVOT SHAFT. WELD BRAKES, PEDAL DETACHES, VEHICLE DISABLED. THIRD OCCURRENCE. OEM PEDAL REPLACEMENT REVEALS NO-WARRANTY, COMMON OCCURRENCE FAILURE MODE. PEDAL RE-ATTACHED TO SHAFT BY PROFESSIONAL WELDERS ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES. HAVE REPLACED CLUTCH CABLE, CLUTCH PLATE & THROWOUT BEARING WITHOUT RESOLUTION. HYDRAULIC REPLACEMENT INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS.
NHTSA complaint #10212453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
THE CLUTCH PEDAL ATTACHMENT CLIP IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT SPOT WELD BROKE ALLOWING THE PEDAL TO DETACH FROM THE LINKAGE. WHEN THE OWNER ENTERED THE TRUCK THE PEDAL WAS ALREADY DETACHED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS TS
NHTSA complaint #8022441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ALMOST FROM THE DAY I PURSCHASED IT FROM LARGO HONDA IN KEY LARGO FLORIDA; DEC. OF 1999. ALTHOUGH I PURSCHASED AN EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT FOR $8,000, I WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET SATIFACTION FROM THE DEALER, THE SELLER, OR MY WARRENTY CO. ALWAYS AT MY EXPENCE , TOWING, {RENTAL CARS =$1,700 04/05/00 - 50,373 MILES AUTO DOC OF KEY LARGO, 305] 453-0977, REPLACED FAN, CLUTCH, ADJUSTER, RADIATOR, WATER PUMP.... NOW THIS WHERE MY MOST RECEIENT BEGAINS. *SOUTH MOTORS OF MIAMI. I WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT A SECOND W2 RECALL NHTSA ID # 00V008000, 96V121002- I CALLED SUZKI, I CALLED SOUTH MOTORS - TOOK AUTO TO SOUTH MOTORS 6AM, FOR THE DAY, RECIEVED ESTIMATED $29 OIL CHANGE THAT ENDED UP BEING $139, BUT THEY DID NOT DO THE POWER LOCK PROBLEM I HAD ASKED FOR , AND TOLD ME THAT ALL RECALL WORK HAD BEEN COMPLEATED - BLEW ME OFF. STILL NO POWER LOCKS, FULE FILTER SEEMED MORE STUFFED UP THAN BEFORE, = POINTS, PLUGS, COILS, "SERVICE ENGIN LIGHTS" ETC. ON JULY 30, 2002 A BOLT APPARENTLY BROKE OFF THAT HAD BEEN HOLDING THE AIRCONDIONER TO REST OF THE CAR, THE FAN BELT WAS REPLACED ANDBOLT WELDED
NHTSA complaint #766501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO GEAR IT MAKES A HARD BANGING NOISE. IT MOMENTARILY LOCKS UP THE POWER STEERING, AND CAUSES HESITATION AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHEER INFROMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8011429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
CLUTCH WELL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING. WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #895498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED THIS SIDEKICK JULY 24, 2001. WITHIN DAYS THE " ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. DUE TO A 30 DAY 1000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY I TOOK THE SIDEKICK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP PURCHASED AT. THE SIDEKICK WAS TAKEN TO THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SOLENOID AND VALVE BODY WERE DEFECTED. A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO COST ANALYSIS. AFTER 1.5 WEEKS IN THE SHOP I PICKED UP "MY" SIDEKICK. WITHIN 3 DAYS THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. RETURNED THE SIDEKICK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED. IT WAS RELAYED TO ME THAT THE SUZUKI REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSIONS HAD A VALVE BODY DEFECT. TRANSMISSION NUMBER 2 WAS PULLED AND IN WENT REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION NUMBER 3. I PICKED UP THE SIDEKICK THIS MORNING. WITHIN 2 HOURS AND LESS THAN 30 MILES THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. THE SIDEKICK WILL BE PICKED UP MONDAY MORNING AND I'LL BE DRIVING ANOTHER LOANER VEHICLE (FOR WHICH I'M VERY GRATEFUL). I'LL FIND OUT IN 2-3 DAYS WHETHER MY NEW TO ME USED TO YOU GETS TRANSMISSION NUMBER 4. I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 31 DAYS, HAD THE PRIVILEDGE OF DRIVING IT FOR 7 DAYS TOPS. THE 30 DAY 1000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS NOW EXPIRED. I'VE REQUESTED A COLLATERAL TRADE. I WON'T FIND OUT ABOUT THAT UNTIL THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP RETURNS MONDAY. I'VE HAD MORE TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS ONE VEHICLE IN ONE MONTH THAN I'VE HAD IN ALL MY VEHICLES IN THE PAST 15 YEARS! LIKE TO KNOW WHAT OUR RIGHTS ARE. I'VE NOT EVEN MADE THE FIRST PAYMENT YET. WOULD LIKE SOME INORMATION ON OUR RIGHTS AS CONSUMERS. THANKS!
NHTSA complaint #751119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CLUTCH KEEP PREMATURELY FAILING ABOUT 6-10 MONTHS DUE TO A WHITE PIECE THAT GOES AROUND CLUTCH THAT KEEPS BREAKING. CONSUMER HAS ALREADY REPLACED CLUTCH 6 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #892698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IT SEEMS THESE TROUBLES ARE UNUSUAL FOR ANY CAR OWNER AND VERY COSTLY!! THE SPEEDOMETER WAS RELACED BY MY HUSBAND WITH A PART BOUGHT ONLINE FOR $50 IN ONE DAY, WHERE THE DEALER WOULD HAVE HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND CHARGED US $350. HOWEVER, THE CLUTCH IS A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM. THE DEALER QUOTED THE PART AT $51, WITH LABOR AT $700. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT IS A SAFETY FACTOR, SINCE I COULD NOT ENGAGE THE CLUTCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AND AM TERRIFIED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT HAS BEEN PROPERLY FIXED. CAN THE MANUFACTURER BE HELD RESPONSIBLE?
NHTSA complaint #746328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IT SEEMS THESE TROUBLES ARE UNUSUAL FOR ANY CAR OWNER AND VERY COSTLY!! THE SPEEDOMETER WAS RELACED BY MY HUSBAND WITH A PART BOUGHT ONLINE FOR $50 IN ONE DAY, WHERE THE DEALER WOULD HAVE HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND CHARGED US $350. HOWEVER, THE CLUTCH IS A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM. THE DEALER QUOTED THE PART AT $51, WITH LABOR AT $700. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT IS A SAFETY FACTOR, SINCE I COULD NOT ENGAGE THE CLUTCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AND AM TERRIFIED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT HAS BEEN PROPERLY FIXED. CAN THE MANUFACTURER BE HELD RESPONSIBLE?
NHTSA complaint #746328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
WHEN MAKING A TURN TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL, RPMS RACED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT A CURB, RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #875849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN DRIVER NOTICED THAT GEAR WAS IN THE 2ND GEAR ,CONSUMER WENT TO SHIFT GEAR WHEN IT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AND ROLL OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, RESULTING IN INJUIRES TO DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #871855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD JUST PULLED ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, LUCKILY WAS ONLY GOING 40 MPH IN 4TH GEAR WHEN THE DRIVESHAFT CAME OFF THE MOTOR MOUNT, BUT STAYED ATTACHED TO THE REAR. MY TRUCK CAME UP OFF THE GROUND 3 FT. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS WHO WAS BEHIND ME AT THE TIME. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. PER THE SER VICE MANANGER AT DAVID MCDAVID, THE BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE MOTOR MOUNT. I AM NOT HARD ON THIS VEHICLE, AND IN MY OPINION, AND THAT OF THE SERVICE MGR. THIS IS A QUALITY ISSUE WITH SUZUKI. I DID CONTACT THE TX. REP. FOR SUZUKI, SHE WAS VERY RUDE! IT TOOK 17 DAYS FOR THE SERVICE DEPT. AT THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A NEW DRIVE SHAFT. THEY STATED THERE WAS NOT "ONE" IN ALL OF NORTH AMERICA OR CANADA." THEY HAD TO HAVE ONE BROUGHT IN BY BOAT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER, AND WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER SUZUKI. ALSO, THE DEALERSHIP'S GENERAL MANAGER STATED THAT THEY WOULD MAKE ME A GOOD DEAL ON A GMC FULL SIZE TRUCK. I NEVER WANTED BACK IN THE SUZUKI AGAIN, THIS WAS A VERY TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE FOR ME. I PICKED OUT A GMC TRUCK, MADE A DEAL WITH DAVID MCDAVID, DROVE IT HOME AND THEN THEY WELCHED ON THE DEAL AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WANTED A $3,000.00 DOWNPAYMENT! I AM TURNING THIS INTO THE BBB. MY WHOLE FAMILY HAS BEEN REPEAT CUSTOMERS OF THAT DEALERSHIP, AND NOW I AM BEING TREATED VERY POORILY. THEY JUST LOST ALOT OF BUSINESS. ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #722934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BECAME VERY HARD TO CHANGE GEERS,COULD NOT SHIFT IN INTERSECTIONS, TOOK TWO HANDS CAUSING SHOLDER PAIN! THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. DEALERSHIP WILL ONLY REPLACE PARTS-CLUTCH ROD,PEDAL ROD&CLUTCH LINKAGE PIECES. THOUGH THEY ADMIT THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM/DEFECT IN CLUTCH POWER TRAIN.
NHTSA complaint #718276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.