Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 SUZUKI Sidekick

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 52 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension5—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Power train: automatic transmission4—
Unknown or other4—
Air bags: frontal3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan3—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Suspension: front2—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Air bags1—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure: body1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 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.