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 7 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.
Seat Belts. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. 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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
50,000 miles · Apr 21, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 SUZUKI SIDEKICK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON TWO OCCASIONS, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND PAID $100 TO HAVE THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. THERE IS A SWITCH IN THE CIRCUIT THAT HE CANNOT LOCATE, BUT NEEDS TO REMOVE IT IN ORDER…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 SUZUKI SIDEKICK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON TWO OCCASIONS, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND PAID $100 TO HAVE THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. THERE IS A SWITCH IN THE CIRCUIT THAT HE CANNOT LOCATE, BUT NEEDS TO REMOVE IT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FROM ILLUMINATING AGAIN. THE SUZUKI DEALER WILL NOT REMOVE THE SWITCH BECAUSE IT IS A FEDERALLY MANDATED MALFUNCTION, ACCORDING TO THE PAPERWORK THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED. IF THE SWITCH IS NOT REMOVED, THE WARNING INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE AND PREVENT THE CONTACT FROM RECEIVING AN EMISSIONS STICKER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 5/5/09 *CN THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE OXYGEN SENSOR. UPDATED 05/06/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10266231
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 1996
Seat Belts
FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER/LAP BELT EXPLODED INTO BUNCH OF LITTLE PIECES, NOW INOPERATIVE, HAPPENED AS RELEASE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #986721
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 1996
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXHAUST LEAK, CONSUMER REPORTED BURNED REAR PASSENGER SEAT AREA WHILE DRIVING, CAUSED BY LEAK FROM THE TAIL PIPE PE91-1260. *AK
NHTSA ODI #985487
Mileage unknown · May 22, 1995
Seat Belts
FT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE, REPLACED, REPLACEMENT BROKE ALSO. TT
NHTSA ODI #965666
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 1995
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH WILL POP OUT WHILE DRIVING. TT
NHTSA ODI #961502
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 1995
Seat Belts
DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT UNLOCK. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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
2
EA95006 · Takata Seat Belt Buckle Failure
Opened Mar 10, 1995 · Closed Aug 2, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
PE90008 · Weld Failure In Structure
Opened Oct 19, 1989 · Closed Apr 30, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
1989 Suzuki Sidekick Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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