NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Suzuki Esteem Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 5 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem.

1996 Suzuki Esteem owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Suzuki Esteem, describing incidents dated September 1, 1996 to April 29, 2004.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 3 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Tires 1 complaint

Of the 5 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10068139 · Filed May 1, 2004
AFTER 31,000 MILES, 4 GOODYEAR AQUATREAD TIRES DEVELOPED FEATHERED TREAD BLOCKS ON ALL 4 TIRES. THIS RESULTED IN ROAD NOISE FROM THE TIRES THAT WAS SIMILAR TO THAT OF ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS FAILING SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD THAT NORMAL CONVERSATION IN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT POSSIBLE AND ANY…
ODI #831708 · Filed December 3, 1998
WHEN DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE PULLEY: CRANKSHAFT BROKE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING, AND THE BALACING AND THE TIMING BELT WAS DAMAGED AND THE BOLT CAME OFF. *AK
ODI #811542 · Filed April 22, 1997
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, FRONT CALIPERS AND BUSHING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING FRONT END VIBRATION. *AK

Read all 5 complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem.

Tires

ODI #10068139

Incident: April 29, 2004 · Filed: May 1, 2004

AFTER 31,000 MILES, 4 GOODYEAR AQUATREAD TIRES DEVELOPED FEATHERED TREAD BLOCKS ON ALL 4 TIRES. THIS RESULTED IN ROAD NOISE FROM THE TIRES THAT WAS SIMILAR TO THAT OF ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS FAILING SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD THAT NORMAL CONVERSATION IN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT POSSIBLE AND ANY EMERGENCY SIGNALS SUCH AS SIRENS OR HORNS COULD NOT BE HEARD. I BELIEVE THAT PROLONGED EXPOSURE WOULD HAVE LEAD TO HEARING LOSS. THE DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED COULD FIND NO EXCUSE FOR THE TIRES DOING THIS SO HE REFUSED TO HONOR THE TIRES WARRANTY BASED ON MY NOT HAVING HIM ROTATE THE TIRES ON SCHEDULE. EVEN THOUGH I INFORMED HIM THAT I HAD ROTATED THE TIRES MYSELF AND THAT I HAD FOUND MANY POSTINGS ON INTERNET SITES DETAILING THE EXACT OR SIMILAR FAILURE ON THESE SPECIFIC TIRES. I SENT A EMAIL MESSAGE TO GOODYEAR CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEIR REPLY WAS THAT THERE WAS LITTLE THEY COULD DO TO CONTROL WHAT THEIR DEALERS DO. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE TIRES AT ANOTHER DEALER AT MY EXPENSE. IT SEEMS THAT THE ONLY WARRANTY GOODYEAR HONORS OR THE ONLY DEFECTS THEY ARE INTERESTED IN CORRECTING ARE ONES THE JUDGE SAYS FIX.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #831708

Incident: November 30, 1998 · Filed: December 3, 1998

WHEN DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE PULLEY: CRANKSHAFT BROKE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING, AND THE BALACING AND THE TIMING BELT WAS DAMAGED AND THE BOLT CAME OFF. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #811542

Incident: April 1, 1997 · Filed: April 22, 1997

ABS BRAKE FAILURE, FRONT CALIPERS AND BUSHING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING FRONT END VIBRATION. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Air Bags

ODI #811053

Crash

Incident: April 11, 1997 · Filed: May 19, 1997

DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY, HIT THE BRAKES BUT REARENDED VEHICLE ANYWAY; DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY; WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ESTEEM WAS TOTALED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #708110

Incident: September 1, 1996 · Filed: July 1, 1999

TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE DEPT. REPEATEDLY AND THEY NEVER FOUND PROBLEMS SO CONVIENANTLY WE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS AND ENDED UP TURNING THE CAR IN AND LOSSING EVERYTHING WE PUT IN TO IT AND MESSING UP OUR CREDIT DUE TO WE WERE TIRED OF FIGHTING WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER. SO OTHER PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THESE DANGEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. IT STRANDED ME AND MY 2 CHILDREN SEVEERAL TIMES NOT INCLUDING MY MOTHER IN LAW ONCE WHEN WE LET HER BORROW IT . NO ONE WOULD LISTEN TO US SO MAYBE YOU WILL ! I HAVE WRITTEN STATEMENTS OF THESE PROBLEMS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD SEEN THIS CAR DO ! NO SAFETY DEFECTED MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK

Check your 1996 Suzuki Esteem VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Suzuki Esteem at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Suzuki VIN