1996 Suzuki Sidekick
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Suzuki › Sidekick › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Suzuki Sidekick. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick. Newest first.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. insufficient strength of the mounting base on the upper end of the front struts can lead to breakage of the mounting bolts that attach the upper end of the front struts to the vehicle body.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the strut broke loose, a driver could lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will add a reinforcement, for both front struts, between the front strut mounting base and the vehicle body. in addition, the front strut mounting bases, mounting bolts and nuts, and strut bar stays will be replaced.
The fuel tank on these vehicles can become punctured by a fuel tank flange attachment reinforcement during rear-end collisions. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel tank integrity."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: if an ignition source was present, fuel leakage resulting from this puncture could result in a post-crash fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install two new shield gussets between the fuel tank and attachment brackets to prevent the reinforcement from puncturing the fuel tank wall.
Owner complaints
59 complaints3 involved a crash3 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Equipment · 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. *tr
- Air bags › Frontal
TL*- the contact stated that while driving the 1996 suzuki sidekick sport on an icy afternoon he pulled into the driveway at 5 mph and hit the utility pole, and both airbags deployed. the passenger side airbag popped and burst into flames in the center of the bag. a neighbor saw what happened…
TL*- the contact stated that while driving the 1996 suzuki sidekick sport on an icy afternoon he pulled into the driveway at 5 mph and hit the utility pole, and both airbags deployed. the passenger side airbag popped and burst into flames in the center of the bag. a neighbor saw what happened ,came over, opened the passenger door, and beat the flames until the fire was out. the driver side airbag deployed and forced the contact left hand to go through the driver's side window which shatter,ed,and caused contusions to his knuckles. the contact contacted the police and there was report. the officer couldn't understand how the airbags could have deployed because the utility pole had no damage, but the vehicle did receive a ding. the contact has pictures available of the vehicle and the utility pole. the current mileage was 76000.*ak updated 03/19/07.*jb
- Electrical system
Consumer states that her vehicle caught fire. she states that she got into her vehicle and inserted the key. she said that when she turned the key, it sounded as if the battery was dead. she states she turned the ignition off, waited and then turned the ignition on again, then she smelled and…
Consumer states that her vehicle caught fire. she states that she got into her vehicle and inserted the key. she said that when she turned the key, it sounded as if the battery was dead. she states she turned the ignition off, waited and then turned the ignition on again, then she smelled and saw smoke, then there was fire. she said her husband and the neighbor put the fire out. she had the vehicle towed to a private mechanic, who stated that the she had an electrical fire . she said she had to purchase a new/used motor. she said she called the manufacturer and they did not seem concerned. *jb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
The vehicle experienced the same defect as nhtsa recall 96-v-121-002 related to the fuel tank. the consumers vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Consumer states, the temperature gauge always indicated hot, due to the radiator cap which IS defected, has been change three times. And reocurring the problem.. Please provide further information. ts
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Power train › Clutch assembly
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…
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
- Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut
Right front dropped while pulling into driveway. Vehicle taken to repair shop, and informed consumer that front struts needed to be replaced. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- Suspension
Consumer received recall notification last year in 2001,to datethe dealership has not been able to supply the replacement component for the vehicle. nlv consumer has received second notice for safety recall. *mr
- Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut
Recall 00 v 008000 /front struts: c after contacting the dealer: (knoxville, ford lincoln, suzuki; knoxville, tn; phone# 865/688-4600, he stated that they would inspect the struts, and only make repairs if it needed. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- 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.*ak
- Power train · Power train › Clutch assembly
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…
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?*ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Cross member of vehicle IS held in place by one bolt, bolt fell off while driving, vehicle was shaking badly. Hard to control, almost lost driveshaft.*ak
- Suspension · Suspension › Front
While driving the vehicle pulls to the right and experiences continued vibration, vehicle taken to dealership, frame adjusted, new tires put on and balanced, front end aligned, problem still exists, possibly related to the tires or the front end suspension. cj
- Suspension
Single car roll-over. wind gust was thought to blow car to the right shoulder. driver over corrected traveling to the left shoulder and then rolled 6-8 times. did this cars rollover tendency contribute to the rollover and related property damage and personal injury? *Ak
- Suspension
Mounting bolts broke prior to recall notice (00v008) due to insufficient strength. nlm
- Suspension
Received recall notice 00v008000 in mail & contacted dealership for an appointment. Was informed by service manager that no parts were available for the front struts. *ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Consumer received a recall concerning lower control arm failure. and has been in for repairs on 3 different occasions. *ak
- Suspension
Consumer received recall (00v008) letter for the front strut mounting. dealer has been contacted. *Ak the consumer was told by the dealer that they had no parts available to repair the recalled component, it took one month for the dealer to receive the part to make the necessary repairs. *yh
- Suspension › Front
Recall 00v008000; manufacturer didn't have parts to send to dealer. they were on back order. *ak
- Suspension › Front
There IS only 1 dealer in entire state, and does not make appointments for recall repairs. Also, no parts are available. *ak
- Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut
Nhtsa recall 00v008000 and manufacturer's recall w2/front struts. no parts were available. *ak
- Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut
Recall200v008000/mcpherson struts. parts that are needed to perform the recall are not availbale.*ak
- Suspension
Consumer called dealer to schedule appointment for recall 00v008000/ front struts repairs. part was on back order. consumer IS upset because dealer doesn't know when part will be in. manufacturer also contacted but of no help. problem still remains unrepaired. *Ak *ML
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
The fuse controlling the fuel injection system and another fuse conrolling dome liht blew out. yh
- Power train › Clutch assembly
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.*ak
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.
- 10014818Correct coolant usage.
- 610525This bulletin contains the revised claims submission procedures for replacement batteries under warranty.
- 54391Modification of power steering pump service procedures.
Every Suzuki Sidekick model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.