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1997 Suzuki Sidekick

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
36Owner complaints

Model-year median: 14

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
21
199426
199559
199636
199727
19981
2000
Compare all Sidekick years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
9Suspension
9Power Train
7Air Bags
4Unknown Or Other
4
All reported categories
Visibility
4Electrical System
3Equipment
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Steering
3Structure
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
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: 0 of 36 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

36 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1998
Visibility

WINDSHIELD CRACKS WITH THE SMALLEST BLOW.

NHTSA ODI #530460

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 1998
Air BagsCrash

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 12 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #820989

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1997
Vehicle Speed Control

ONE FOOT ABOVE GAS PEDAL, CHAIN LINKAGE WRAPPED AROUND ITSELF CAUSING GAS PEDAL TO STAY DOWN AT FULL THROTTLE, LINKAGE WAS WRAPPED OVER TRIANGLE PIECE IN WHICH THE CHAIN ATTACHES TO. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #818464

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentSuspension

AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #520728

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED IMPROPER IDLING, ALMOST STALLED, BUT DIDN'T. ALSO VEHICLE SHUTTERED/VIBRATED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #808428

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 1996
Electrical System

AFTER A LONG TRIP OR AFTER USING (4) WHEEL DRIVE THE ENGINE QUITS UNLESS YOU KEEP THE ACCELERATOR PRESSED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE PURCHASING IN OCTOBER OF 1996 AT 1500 MILES AND 4400. *AK

NHTSA ODI #805550

Official recalls

1

00V008000 · Suspension

Jan 20, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.