Model year record

1994 Suzuki Sidekick recalls & problems

The 1994 Suzuki Sidekick has 1 safety recall and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (8 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints21filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionApr 16, 1994

Rear

Recall 94V0730025,247 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE RIGHT REAR AND LEFT AXLE SHAFT HOUSING TUBES WERE INCORRECTLY WELDED AND CAN FRACTURE. FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE SHAFT HOUSING CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE LINE.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE LINE RESULTS IN LOSS OF ONE-HALF OFTHE BRAKING SYSTEM, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE. IN EITHER CASE, AN ACCIDENTCAN OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS OF THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES ON INVOLVED VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE COMPLETE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY.

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

Sidekick 2Door 2WD

23mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Sidekick 2Door 4WD

23mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Sidekick 2Door 2WD

22mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Sidekick 2Door 4WD

22mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Sidekick 2Door 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sidekick 4Door 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sidekick 4Door 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sidekick 2Door 4WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sidekick 4Door 4WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sidekick 4Door 4WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/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	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAxle assembly; Axle assembly › Axle shaft	8	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system; Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve)	6	0	0	0	—
StructureFrame and members; Body › Door	4	1	0	3	—
SuspensionFront; Rear	3	1	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	3	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc › Caliper	3	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemStarter assembly; Wiring › Front underhood	2	0	1	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights › Switch	1	0	1	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	1	0	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Pump	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Frame and members
CONSUMER HEARD A CREAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING, DURING INSPECTION OF VEHICLE THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALL THE WELDS CAME APART. NLM
Mar 18, 2002
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhoodFire
VEHICLE STARTED TO CATCH ON FIRE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, FIRE BEGAN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
Jan 1, 2002
Structure › Body › Door
PLASTIC PORTION OR THE REAR DOOR LATCH KEEPS MELTING WITHIN DAYS OF BEING INSTALLED. NO OBVIOUS REASON FOR FAILURE. DOOR WILL NOT STAY LATCHED. *AK
Jul 1, 1998
Structure2 injuries
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY OVERSTEERING, THE VEHICLE HAD VEERED OFF OF THE ROADWAY AND THE DRIVER TURNED THE VEHICLE SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, WHICH CAUSED IT TO ROLL OVER APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES, 3 OUT OF FOUR OCCUPANTS HAD BEEN THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE 2 SEVERE INJURIES AND 1 DEATH BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, SEAT BELTS HAD NOT BEEN USED. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *SLC
May 16, 1999
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Differential proportional valve
WHILE DRIVIN GON HIGHWAY CAR LOST CONTROL. CAR WOULD NOT STEER OR BRAKE GOING ACROSS THE ROAD. THEN IT SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT BRAKE HOUSING DIFFERENTIAL CRACKED. *AK
Sep 24, 1999
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump
MOUNT BOLT AT A/C COMPRESSOR ADJUSTMENT BROKE CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO LOOSE TENSION RESULTING IN POWER STEERING LOSS. NLM
Jun 12, 1999
Power train
WHEN DRIVING HEARD A HUMBLE NOISE, AND NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER JUMPED. CONSUMER CAN'T DETERMINE HOW FAST THEY ARE TRAVELING. NOW THE ENTIRE NEEDLE IS OFF THE SPEEDOMETER AND IS LYING ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK *ML
Oct 12, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
DEALER IS UNABLE TO CORRECT VEHICLE EMISSION PROBLEM; VEHICLE GIVES OFF FUEL VAPOR INTO VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Feb 11, 1998

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.