Model year record

1996 SUZUKI Sidekick

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 81 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V008000

Suspension

Component
Suspension
Manufacturer
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.
Vehicles affected
13,461
Reported to NHTSA
2000-01-20
Owners notified
2000-03-03

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V121002

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.
Vehicles affected
4,325
Reported to NHTSA
1996-07-02
Owners notified
1996-07-19

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 risk

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension7
Power train: clutch assembly5
Air bags: frontal4
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads4
Suspension: front4
Suspension: front: macpherson strut4
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan3
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)376,421 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2
Power train2
Power train: automatic transmission2
Seats: mid/rear assembly2
Structure: body: door2
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Electrical system1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Equipment176,421 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: electrical1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: manual transmission1
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1

The 1995 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.