1997 Suzuki Sidekick
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Suzuki › Sidekick › 1997
These records cover every 1997 Suzuki Sidekick. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1997 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.
Owner complaints
36 complaints5 involved a crash5 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires › Tread/belt
While driving and without warning front and rear passenger side tires separated. *cb *nlm
- 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
- Suspension
The vehicle struts broke while driving, the consumer never received recall notice 00v-008 relating to the strut rod. nlm
- Structure › Body · Suspension
While traveling on highway, there IS a knocking noise underneath vehicle. dealership IS aware of problem.*ak consumer states front of car started to shake causing loose steering, causing an accident where two people were injured. *Yd
- Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut
Nhtsa ID# 00v-008-000 manufacture ID #W2 the dealership IS refusing to service the recall because the computer reading shows that the front struts where already serviced on april 13, 2000. The consumer debates the print from the manufacturer. nlm
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
While driving about 60 mph on road at night, then woke up in hospital. Witness said that driver lost control of vehicle, and hit middle of the road, then rolled over. Dealer was contacted. please provide more information.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Unknown or other
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…
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!*ak
- Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
While driving at 55 mph consumer suddenly lost control of the vehicle and it crashed into a concrete wall. dealership examined vehicle, and found that strut rod had broken, causing the crash. *ak the left tie rod assembly has separated between the inner link and the adjusting sleeve. *slc
- Power train › Automatic transmission
These parts were replaced when I had transmission failure. *Ak
- Power train › Clutch assembly
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.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was traveling at approximately 35 to 40 mph under cold/ dry conditions when vehicle hit a dip in road, causing loss of control, and vehicle went over a snow bank, and impacted a tree on front center area of vehicle. drivers and passengers air bags failed to deploy. dealership has not…
Consumer was traveling at approximately 35 to 40 mph under cold/ dry conditions when vehicle hit a dip in road, causing loss of control, and vehicle went over a snow bank, and impacted a tree on front center area of vehicle. drivers and passengers air bags failed to deploy. dealership has not given consumer any reason for cause of defect. *suzuki was in possession of air bags, and vehicle was considered to be a total loss.*ak *slc
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine stalled when let off gas during turn in intersection almost lost control. This vehicle IS standard shift, need 3 feet to drive. This appears to possably be the same issue as odi ID 781364, 824717, 713749, 805550. Dealer says engine defective.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Starter failed. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
While driving the bracket that the cooling fan and air conditioning compressor mount to cracked and separated. The cooling fan was thrown into the radiator and caused the radiator to fail suddenly. The cooling fan and bracket piece also damaged the front of the air conditioning compressor causing failure.
- Suspension
Recall repair completed (00v-008), however the mechanic failed to repair correctly, consumer had to return for additional repair. *mjs
- Suspension
Consumer tried several times to get dealer to repair vehicle under recall. but no parts were available. please provide further information.*ak
- Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
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…
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.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Fan bracket broke and sent fan into radiator causing major gashes and car to overheat. vehicle temperature gauge never went to hot and engine lights did not give any signs of problems. motor completely burnt up.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
Bracket which holds the fan broke off and caused the fan to cut into the radiator. dealer notified, and part was not covered under warranty. *ak
- Suspension
Recall # 00v008000 suzuki/front struts; dealer did not have parts to correct recall campaign. Owner was told to call back. Please provide any further information. *ak
- Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut
While driving lost control of vehicle. Steering wheel got hard, and driver could not steer. recall 200v008000/front end struts was issued for this problem, but this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Unknown or other · Visibility › Windshield
The windshield cracked twice because a pebble on the road struck it . the car has been shutting off repeatedly. The engine check light came on when the car was still a baby. This car IS a drivers nightmare.
- Unknown or other
Need to know if this SUV has been known to roll over before I purchase please. no safety defect mentioned. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Braking performance IS severly diminished, only partial braking power IS being used. Dealer contacted, and stated a normal wear pattern and cannot duplicate the problem. *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.
- 51320When servicing the new style auto hub, please use the new style tools as listed.
Every Suzuki Sidekick model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.