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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2000

Suzuki Sidekick recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 149 owner complaints for the Suzuki Sidekick, covering model years 1995 to 2000. The 1996 model year drew the most complaints (59), and Suspension is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Suzuki Sidekick VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 2 recall campaigns on file
  • 149 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 5 model years with data (1995–2000)
  • most complaints: 1996 (59 for that model year)
  • top component: Suspension (30 complaints)
  • latest recall 00V008000 (reported Jan 20, 2000)
  • 20 complaints reporting a crash (13.4%)
  • 5 complaints reporting a fire (3.4%)
  • 16 complaints reporting an injury (10.7%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Suzuki Sidekick complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1996 model year has the most complaints: 59 of 149, or 39.6%. Next come 1997 (36) and 1998 (27). The fewest are for 2000, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Suzuki Sidekick owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2000Column chart of 149 complaints across 6 model years. The highest is 1996 with 59. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 26 complaints2619951996: 59 complaints5919961997: 36 complaints3619971998: 27 complaints2719981999: 0 complaints19992000: 1 complaint12000
Suzuki Sidekick complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Suzuki Sidekick complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
1995263130
1996593320
1997365040
1998279170
200010000
All model years149205160

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Suzuki Sidekick components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Suspension is the component named most often, in 30 complaints (20.1% of all 149), followed by Power Train (29) and Engine and Engine Cooling (27).

Components named most often in Suzuki Sidekick complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Suzuki Sidekick complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Suspension3020.1%
Power Train2919.5%
Engine and Engine Cooling2718.1%
Air Bags1711.4%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1510.1%
Visibility106.7%
Electrical System96.0%
Structure85.4%
Equipment74.7%
Fuel System, Gasoline74.7%
Steering64.0%
Seats53.4%
Unknown or Other53.4%
Seat Belts32.0%
Vehicle Speed Control32.0%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Suzuki Sidekick recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Sidekick, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model years 1996 to 1997. The 1996 model year appears in the most campaigns (2).

  • 2 recall campaigns
Suzuki Sidekick recall campaigns covering each model year
1996: 2 campaigns1997: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 00V008000

    Reported

    Suspension

    Model years 1996–1997

    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:
    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.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 96V121002

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly

    Model year 1996

    The fuel tank on these vehicles can become punctured by a fuel tank flange attachment reinforcement during rear-end collisions. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 301, "fuel tank integrity."

    Consequence:
    Consequence of non-compliance: if an ignition source was present, fuel leakage resulting from this puncture could result in a post-crash fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install two new shield gussets between the fuel tank and attachment brackets to prevent the reinforcement from puncturing the fuel tank wall.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Suzuki Sidekick questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Suzuki Sidekick have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the Suzuki Sidekick, covering model years 1995 to 2000. The most recent, 00V008000, was reported on January 20, 2000 and is filed under “Suspension”. The 1996 model year is covered by the most campaigns (2).

Which Suzuki Sidekick model year has the most complaints?

The 1996 model year, with 59 of the 149 complaints in NHTSA’s file (39.6%). The next are 1997 (36) and 1998 (27). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Suzuki Sidekick complaint?

Suspension is the component named most often: 30 complaints, or 20.1% of all 149. Power Train (29) and Engine and Engine Cooling (27) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Suzuki Sidekick?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Suzuki dealer.

How many Suzuki Sidekick complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 149 complaints, 20 report a crash, 5 a fire, 16 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Suzuki models

8 models · most complaints first

The Suzuki models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Suzuki VIN decoder with every Suzuki model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Suzuki models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.