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: 1 of 5 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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Wheels. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
5 reports
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2014
StructureWheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI ESTEEM. THE CONTACT OCCASIONALLY HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIELDING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AROUND THE MUFFLER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER,THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE RIGHT AXLE SHAFT WAS BROKEN O…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI ESTEEM. THE CONTACT OCCASIONALLY HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIELDING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AROUND THE MUFFLER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER,THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE RIGHT AXLE SHAFT WAS BROKEN ON THE SUBFRAME WHICH WAS CORRODED WITH EXTENSIVE RUST IN ADDITION TO THE ENGINE CRADLE CROSS MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10592781
67,050 miles · Dec 10, 2008
StructureWheels
SOLE OWNER 2002 SUZUKI ESTEEM WAGON WITH ROTTED K-FRAME AND RUSTED WHEELS. SUZUKI WILL ONLY COVER K-FRAME PART AND DEALER WANTS $390. FOR LABOR. ARE THERE OTHER SUZUKI VEHICLES WITH REPORTED ROTTED K-FRAMES?. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 2002. THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO ROTTED FRAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251398
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON 6 TIMES AND THERE IS NO COMPUTER CODE. GAS GAUGE IS INACCURATE. *JB *NLM *****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****768037 *TS
NHTSA ODI #10007050
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2002
Tires
ORIGINAL TIRE ON SUZUKI, ESTEEM 2002, P18560R14 DOT ELBODEH340. WHILE TRAVELING AT 10 MPH ON SLIGHTLTY WET PAVEMENT CONSUMER WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID. VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO TIP OVER. CONSUMER FEELS THERES A DEFECT IN TIRES. *AK *JG
NHTSA ODI #8008716
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2002
SteeringCrash
WHILE TRAVELING ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE'S LANE AND HIT IT. STEERING WHEEL HAD PLAYED INTO WHEEL, ENABLING HIM TO STEER.*AK
CERTAIN PASSENGER (111 MY 2002 ESTEEM, 777 MY 2002 AERIO, 2,368 MY 2003 AERIO) AND SPORT UTILITY (324 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA, 274 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA, 684 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA XL-7, AND 781 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7) VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE BODY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ADHESION BETWEEN THE PAINT APPLIED DURING THE SECOND-STAGE PAINTING PROCESS AND THE PAINT APPLIED DURING FINAL-STAGE PAINTING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF UNBELTED OCCUPANTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PAINT ADHESION WILL EITHER HAVE THE PROBLEM REMEDIED BY REPAINTING, OR WILL BE REPLACED, OR REPURCHASED AND DESTROYED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
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.
2002 Suzuki Esteem Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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