1988 Suzuki Samurai
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Suzuki › Samurai › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Suzuki Samurai. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1988 Suzuki Samurai. Newest first.
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating properly by inserting each latch plate into its buckle, tugging on the belt to make sure the latch IS securely locked, and then pressing the release button. The latch plate should pop out of the buckle when the button IS pressed. If either button shows a sign of breaking or cracking or if either buckle fails to operate properly, owners should promptly contact their authorized dealer to schedule an appointment to have the buckle replaced or repaired, free of charge. The manufacturer IS developing a remedy designed to prevent failure of the buttons that are not currently broken.
Owner complaints
20 complaints6 involved a crash6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires › Tread/belt
Bridgestone, p205/70r15, dot unknown, replacement tire, milage unknown on a 1988, suzuki, samurai. while driving 55 mph heard a noise. then, vehicle started to fishtail, spun around 180 degrees and hit a tree. Damage to vehicle unknown. No injuries. Rear driver's side tire had tread separation, a…
Bridgestone, p205/70r15, dot unknown, replacement tire, milage unknown on a 1988, suzuki, samurai. while driving 55 mph heard a noise. then, vehicle started to fishtail, spun around 180 degrees and hit a tree. Damage to vehicle unknown. No injuries. Rear driver's side tire had tread separation, a 2 1/2 feet long piece of tread came off, tire was not flat. *ak tread separation caused damage to the entire drivers side, convertible top and rear tire, driver sustained back/neck pain. nlm
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tread seperated (tiresize: p205/75r15)( dot number: tire size: p205/75r15 )
- Structure › Body › Door
The poor design of the door handles resulted in three broken handles (two inside and one outside).
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
Transmission gear shift retaining bolt snapped off twice. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The driver's side seatbelt retractor will not retract the belt, and will not restrain the driver in case of a vehicle collision. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Recall #95v103 seat belt buckle: received notice in oct. Of 96 called to take vehicle in and was told they were too busy. Made an appointment in november 1996 and was told it would be three to four days before they could get to it. Vehicle still has not been repaired. *ak
- Suspension
Vehicle flipped over in accident due to poor stability.
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Front seat belt latch broke. *Dsh
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Failure of the rear seat belt retractor, seat belt will not retract. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
During impact driver's side seat belt did not lock. please describe. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Seat belt retractors have failed, rear seat belts do not come out of housing, *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving car was overheating so he pulled over checked the car and oil was coming out. Later he found out a bolt had come lose and one felt out. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Passenger side seat belt buckle will not release. *Dsh
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
When rear ended the seat backs broke and caused further injuries. Please describe. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The driver side seat belt buckle broke and was replaced. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The passenger seat belt buckle IS broke . tt
- Steering
Traveling on ramp hit curb lost control vehicle rolled over in the air. tt
- Structure › Frame and members · Suspension › Front
Truck flipped over going 35 mph and it also has spun around. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Front combination shoulder/lap belts do not retract as intended; difficulty pulling belt out; sometimes will not retract; holds tighter than normal; hangs loose
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Front seat belts malfunction, takata seat belts. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Takata seat belt buckle failure
There is no summary currently available
- Vehicle stability
Vehicle stability
- Rollover
Rollover
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.
- 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.
- 10014819Correct coolant usage.
Every Suzuki Samurai model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.