1996 Suzuki Esteem recalls & problems
The 1996 Suzuki Esteem has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 5 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (3 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
Esteem
| City / highway | 26 / 34 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
Esteem
| City / highway | 23 / 31 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Caliper; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 3 | — |
| Air bags Frontal | 1 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling Engine | 1 | — |
| Power train Automatic transmission | 1 | — |
| Electrical system Wiring › Front underhood | 1 | — |
| Tires Tread/belt | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Apr 29, 2004 · 73,000 milesTires › Tread/belt
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… - Sep 1, 1996Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist
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 - Nov 30, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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 - Apr 11, 1997 · crashAir bags › Frontal
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 - Apr 1, 1997Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, FRONT CALIPERS AND BUSHING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING FRONT END VIBRATION. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.