NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Suzuki Sidekick Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1996 Suzuki Sidekick has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 59 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Suzuki dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1996 Suzuki Sidekick owner complaints

Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick, describing incidents dated October 10, 1995 to December 20, 2007.

Most-cited components

Suspension 15 complaints
Power Train 14 complaints
Engine 10 complaints
Service Brakes 7 complaints
Air Bags 4 complaints
Structure 3 complaints

Of the 59 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 59 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10212453 · Filed December 20, 2007
CLUTCH PEDAL SEPARATES FROM PIVOT SHAFT. WELD BRAKES, PEDAL DETACHES, VEHICLE DISABLED. THIRD OCCURRENCE. OEM PEDAL REPLACEMENT REVEALS NO-WARRANTY, COMMON OCCURRENCE FAILURE MODE. PEDAL RE-ATTACHED TO SHAFT BY PROFESSIONAL WELDERS ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES. HAVE REPLACED CLUTCH CABLE, CLUTCH…
ODI #10182340 · Filed February 12, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1996 SUZUKI SIDEKICK SPORT ON AN ICY AFTERNOON HE PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH AND HIT THE UTILITY POLE, AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG POPPED AND BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE CENTER OF THE BAG. A NEIGHBOR SAW WHAT HAPPENED ,CAME…
ODI #10092513 · Filed September 16, 2004
CONSUMER STATES THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. SHE STATES THAT SHE GOT INTO HER VEHICLE AND INSERTED THE KEY. SHE SAID THAT WHEN SHE TURNED THE KEY, IT SOUNDED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. SHE STATES SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, WAITED AND THEN TURNED THE IGNITION ON AGAIN, THEN SHE SMELLED AND SAW…

Read all 59 complaints

SUZUKI/FRONT STRUTS

NHTSA #00V008000 · Suspension · NHTSA notice

Reported January 20, 2000 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 13,461 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign W2 · Owners notified March 3, 2000 · Vehicles built June 1, 1995 – September 30, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THE STRUT BROKE LOOSE, A DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SUZUKI RECALL NO. W2.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 3, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly

NHTSA #96V121002 · NHTSA notice

Reported July 2, 1996 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 4,325 vehicles

Owners notified July 19, 1996 · Vehicles built August 1, 1995 – June 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTING FROM THIS PUNCTURE COULD RESULT IN A POST-CRASH FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY; FMVSS NO. 301. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES, 4-DOOR MODEL ONLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY 1996. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

1996 Suzuki Sidekick 2-DR. 4x4

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 2, Passenger: 3

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

59 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick.

Power Train; Equipment

ODI #10212453

Incident: December 20, 2007 · Filed: December 20, 2007

CLUTCH PEDAL SEPARATES FROM PIVOT SHAFT. WELD BRAKES, PEDAL DETACHES, VEHICLE DISABLED. THIRD OCCURRENCE. OEM PEDAL REPLACEMENT REVEALS NO-WARRANTY, COMMON OCCURRENCE FAILURE MODE. PEDAL RE-ATTACHED TO SHAFT BY PROFESSIONAL WELDERS ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES. HAVE REPLACED CLUTCH CABLE, CLUTCH PLATE & THROWOUT BEARING WITHOUT RESOLUTION. HYDRAULIC REPLACEMENT INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10182340

Crash Fire 1 injury

Incident: February 8, 2007 · Filed: February 12, 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1996 SUZUKI SIDEKICK SPORT ON AN ICY AFTERNOON HE PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH AND HIT THE UTILITY POLE, AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG POPPED AND BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE CENTER OF THE BAG. A NEIGHBOR SAW WHAT HAPPENED ,CAME OVER, OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR, AND BEAT THE FLAMES UNTIL THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND FORCED THE CONTACT LEFT HAND TO GO THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WHICH SHATTER,ED,AND CAUSED CONTUSIONS TO HIS KNUCKLES. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE POLICE AND THERE WAS REPORT. THE OFFICER COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE AIRBAGS COULD HAVE DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE UTILITY POLE HAD NO DAMAGE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID RECEIVE A DING. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE UTILITY POLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76000.*AK UPDATED 03/19/07.*JB

Electrical System

ODI #10092513

Fire

Incident: September 16, 2004 · Filed: September 16, 2004

CONSUMER STATES THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. SHE STATES THAT SHE GOT INTO HER VEHICLE AND INSERTED THE KEY. SHE SAID THAT WHEN SHE TURNED THE KEY, IT SOUNDED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. SHE STATES SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, WAITED AND THEN TURNED THE IGNITION ON AGAIN, THEN SHE SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE, THEN THERE WAS FIRE. SHE SAID HER HUSBAND AND THE NEIGHBOR PUT THE FIRE OUT. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE SHE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FIRE . SHE SAID SHE HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW/USED MOTOR. SHE SAID SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10019369

Incident: May 7, 2003 · Filed: May 7, 2003

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS NHTSA RECALL 96-V-121-002 RELATED TO THE FUEL TANK. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #8022832

Incident: October 10, 2002 · Filed: November 15, 2002

CONSUMER STATES, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALWAYS INDICATED HOT, DUE TO THE RADIATOR CAP WHICH IS DEFECTED, HAS BEEN CHANGE THREE TIMES. AND REOCURRING THE PROBLEM.. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Suspension

ODI #8016353

Incident: March 12, 2002 · Filed: August 14, 2002

RIGHT FRONT DROPPED WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Suspension

ODI #8006570

Filed: March 28, 2002

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION LAST YEAR IN 2001,TO DATETHE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SUPPLY THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENT FOR THE VEHICLE. NLV CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED SECOND NOTICE FOR SAFETY RECALL. *MR

Suspension

ODI #8005500

Incident: March 12, 2002 · Filed: March 12, 2002

RECALL 00 V 008000 /FRONT STRUTS: C AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER: (KNOXVILLE, FORD LINCOLN, SUZUKI; KNOXVILLE, TN; PHONE# 865/688-4600, HE STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE STRUTS, AND ONLY MAKE REPAIRS IF IT NEEDED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #987243

Filed: July 23, 1996

ON FIVE OCCASIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TRUCK DIDN'T STOP . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

Seats

ODI #980473

Incident: February 10, 1996 · Filed: March 11, 1996

WHEN FOLDED REAR TWO SEAT, BRACKET STRAP HOOK IS NOT SECURE, SLIPS OUT FROM BRACET; SLAMS FORWARD WHILE DRIVING; HAPPENS DURING VEHICLE VIBRATION.

Other Suzuki Sidekick model years

Check your 1996 Suzuki Sidekick VIN

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

Check a Suzuki VIN