1996 Suzuki Sidekick problems
NHTSA has received 81 complaints about the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick, and 20% of them involve suspension. After that come drivetrain & axles (17%) and brakes (16%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 81 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Suspension 20% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the Suzuki Sidekick with enough data (51 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
Passive restraints, air bags: driving approximately 25MPH when vehicle came to an intersection , other vehicle did not stop and was hit head-on. Neither air bag deployed. Took vehicle into dealer for repairs, and he said that sometimes it's best if airbags don't deploy . Dealer would not perform repairs.
Engine compartment fire, cause unknown. While driving smoking started coming through vents inside vehicle, heard popping noise. Vehicle with dealer for inspection.
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.