1998 Suzuki Esteem
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Suzuki › Esteem › 1998
These records cover every 1998 Suzuki Esteem. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
24 complaints7 involved a crash1 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags · Exterior lighting · Seat belts
Air bags lights went on yesterday, I never had any accident. Seat bet gets stocks. Suzuki esteem 1998.[xxx] vin # information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Suspension
Was driving on the highway , slowed down to take a right turn onto side road....there was a terrible grinding noise and immediate pull of car to right...had to fight to keep control of car...was hard to steer but drove home at about 5 miles per hour...luckily only a quarter of a mile...pretty sure…
Was driving on the highway , slowed down to take a right turn onto side road....there was a terrible grinding noise and immediate pull of car to right...had to fight to keep control of car...was hard to steer but drove home at about 5 miles per hour...luckily only a quarter of a mile...pretty sure if it had let go if I'D hit a bump or something driving 55 on the highway...that the car would have flipped...that's how quickly I lost control...after reading all other reports...too bad this car had not been recalled...i might not now be without a car. *tr
- Structure › Body · Suspension
I was driving on flat paved road at approximately 30 miles per hour when the subframe snapped on the right front passenger side of the vehicle causing the vehicle to immediately jerk right with substantial force. I was able to maintain control of the vehicle with the steering wheel due to driving…
I was driving on flat paved road at approximately 30 miles per hour when the subframe snapped on the right front passenger side of the vehicle causing the vehicle to immediately jerk right with substantial force. I was able to maintain control of the vehicle with the steering wheel due to driving at a low speed but the car was pulling very hard to the right and the steering wheel was almost impossible to steer. I drove approximately one half mile to a spot where I was able to pull over safely, I noticed the subframe which connects the front right passenger wheel to the body had rusted severely and broke apart, it was so bad the material was crumbling. If the car was traveling at a high rate of speed a terrible accident would have almost certainly occurred. A search on the internet cites hundreds of similar incidents for this exact same problem recalls were made on subsequent years but not on this model year despite the exact same problem with the subframe. *tr
- Structure › Frame and members
TL* the contact owns a 1998 suzuki esteem. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle began shifting to the right. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the front cross member frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not inspected or…
TL* the contact owns a 1998 suzuki esteem. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle began shifting to the right. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the front cross member frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The contact stated he was unable to contact the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 114,524. ..updated 09-26-12 *bf the consumer stated the manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. Updated 10/01/2012 *js
- Structure › Frame and members · Suspension
Front suspension cross member in 1998 suzuki esteem cracked open while driving at 25mph. Car suddenly pulled to the right, since it happen at low speed I was able to quickly stop. Upon inspection of the front suspension cross member I found out that rusting was so extensive that you could poke a hole in the cross member by simply pushing a screw driver on to the surface of the cross member. *Tr
- Structure › Frame and members
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 suzuki esteem. While driving 25 mph the frame on the vehicle broke. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who replaced the frame. The failure occurred again and the vehicle was taken back to the same mechanic. The mechanic advised her to call nhtsa. She called the…
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 suzuki esteem. While driving 25 mph the frame on the vehicle broke. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who replaced the frame. The failure occurred again and the vehicle was taken back to the same mechanic. The mechanic advised her to call nhtsa. She called the manufacturer and was unable to leave a message. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000. The current mileage was 68,000.
- Structure › Frame and members
98 suzuki esteem cross member(engine cradle) on the suzuki esteem the engine cradle or cross member rot causing the vehicle to collapse causing into an accident ,crossmember or engine cradle supports lower control arms which if the crossmember let go will cause the vehicle to possible crash in my…
98 suzuki esteem cross member(engine cradle) on the suzuki esteem the engine cradle or cross member rot causing the vehicle to collapse causing into an accident ,crossmember or engine cradle supports lower control arms which if the crossmember let go will cause the vehicle to possible crash in my experience as a auto mechanic every single suzuki esteem that have come to my shop for state inspection has fail due to the cross member this includes 98 to 01 suzuki esteem ,every single car at junkyards are rusted out which make it difficult for a customer to get a used replacement for a cheaper price ,,,i believe that factory or dealer should consider this as a safety recall since this can put in danger alot of people ,,thanks and I hope this will be take on consideration right at this moment I have a customer which his car cross member or engine cradle let go and we cant find a used one anywhere all junkyards state that it IS a common thing on suzuki esteems ...all dealers should send a letter to all esteems owner to get the cross member or engine cradle replaced at no cost. *Tr
- Tires
1998 suzuki esteem left rear tire blew out causing the consumer to hit the guardrail. *kb the consumers daughter was slightly injured. Ohio traffic report # 10-90-0789. *Jb
- Power train › Clutch assembly · Seat belts · Seats · Structure › Body › Door
Re: 1-131916218, 1998 suzuki esteem clutch failed. *bf seat belt loosening while driving. driver's seat cover and door panel needed to be replaced. hestiation on acceleration. clutch failed prematurely. *tt
- Steering › Linkages
This complaint deals with failed inner tie-rod in the gear assembly. the failure resulted in severe problems in controlling the car at high speed. the problem arose because of broken boot and subsequent moisture build-up and damage to the tie-rod. the service personnel attributed the failure to…
This complaint deals with failed inner tie-rod in the gear assembly. the failure resulted in severe problems in controlling the car at high speed. the problem arose because of broken boot and subsequent moisture build-up and damage to the tie-rod. the service personnel attributed the failure to faulty part and poor workmanship. there was the possibility of loss of control of the car and danger to occupants of the car and other drivers on the road.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads
There IS a squeaking noise when driving that stopped when brakes were applied. Took vehicle to dealer, and they changed brake pads. Three months later, problem reoccurred. brakes have been constantly changed. Please provide any further information.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Suspension › Front
While operating vehicle at higher speeds, approximately 55 mph and higher, vehicle will weave, and vehicle IS very difficult to control on highway. *note: consumer purchased vehicle with approximately 15,000 miles on it, and had to have struts replaced at approximately 22,000 miles. please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak
- Suspension › Front
Reported to dealer and was told undercarriage was loose and rubbing on tires to cause steering wheel vibration, but it still shakes and vibrates
- Electrical system › Wiring
Vehicle was placed in park for over two hours. Then, consumer noticed smoke coming from the tail lights, and vehicle caught on fire. fire department was called, and determined the cause to be an electrical problem. *ak *ML
- Structure › Body › Door
This IS the second seperate incident with door handles on this car. the first failure was on the rear drivers side door, the second failure IS on the drivers side door. both handles lift up and jam in an open position. handles can be pushed back down with some effort but then fail to operate.…
This IS the second seperate incident with door handles on this car. the first failure was on the rear drivers side door, the second failure IS on the drivers side door. both handles lift up and jam in an open position. handles can be pushed back down with some effort but then fail to operate. this makes the doors inoperative from the outside, so in an accident passengers would not be able to be extracted from the vehicle. I have researched the web and no service bulletins exist for this problem.
- Air bags › Frontal
On 8-31-98 the whole front end of vehicle was wrecked, airbags experienced no deployment during collision. *yc
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was involved in a 35 mph frontal collision in which driver's/passenger's air bags did not deploy. *ak
- Seats · Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint
Consumer was rearended. Upon impact, driver's and passenger's seat retractors broke, causing the passengers to fall/lide into the rear seats. Also, driver's side headrest bent. Driver and passenger sustained injuries. *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal
During frontal impact at 405 mph, the driver's and passenger's side air bags did not deploy. please provide any details.
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was involved in a vehicle accident which caused the vehicle to roll over four times, neither airbags deployed. Dealer notifed.
- Air bags · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
No deployment of air bag during collision, also seat belt did not lock up, resulting in injuries. (qcaw)
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
While driving 50 mph vehicle loses control. Steering pulls left to right. Vehicle has been to dealers, where they are unable fix problem. *ak
- Suspension
When driving at high speeds vehicle IS unstable.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10216558Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.
- 10152052This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.
- 10016419Service manual update-incorrect wiring diagram of the wiper/washer combination switch.
- 10014822Correct coolant usage.
- 10004641Service manual update - improper torque specifications.
- 610525This bulletin contains the revised claims submission procedures for replacement batteries under warranty.
Every Suzuki Esteem model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.