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1998 Suzuki Esteem

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
24Owner complaints

Model-year median: 16.5

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
13
19955
19967
199724
199820
199926
200021
2001
Compare all Esteem years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure
7Air Bags
6Suspension
6Seat Belts
3Seats
2
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Steering
2Electrical System
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Power Train
1Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 7 of 24 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2019
Air BagsExterior LightingSeat 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

NHTSA ODI #11253298

7,700 miles · Oct 26, 2004
Power TrainSeat BeltsSeats

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

NHTSA ODI #10097388

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 1998
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION, ALSO SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP, RESULTING IN INJURIES. (QCAW)

NHTSA ODI #539466

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.