Car Record Book

1996 Suzuki Sidekick recalls & problems

The 1996 Suzuki Sidekick has 2 safety recalls and 59 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (16 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints59filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Suspension

NHTSA recall 00V008000 · Jan 20, 2000 · 13,461 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: IF THE STRUT BROKE LOOSE, A DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly

NHTSA recall 96V121002 · Jul 2, 1996 · 4,325 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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."

Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTING FROM THIS PUNCTURE COULD RESULT IN A POST-CRASH FIRE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW SHIELD GUSSETS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND ATTACHMENT BRACKETS TO PREVENT THE REINFORCEMENT FROM PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK WALL.

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.

Crash test ratings

1996 Suzuki Sidekick 2-DR. 4x4

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sidekick 2Door 2WD

22mpg combined
City / highway21 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

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

Sidekick 4Door 2WD

22mpg combined
City / highway21 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

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

Sidekick 2Door 4WD

22mpg combined
City / highway21 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

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

Sidekick 4Door 4WD

22mpg combined
City / highway21 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular 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 / highway21 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

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

Sidekick 4Door 2WD

21mpg combined
City / highway19 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

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

Sidekick Sport 4WD

21mpg combined
City / highway20 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sidekick 2Door 4WD

21mpg combined
City / highway21 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular 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 / highway19 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

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

Sidekick Sport 4WD

20mpg combined
City / highway19 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/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 areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Power train
Clutch assembly; Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
16000—
Suspension
Front; Front › Macpherson strut
16000—
Engine and engine cooling
Engine › Gasoline; Cooling system › Fan
13010—
Service brakes, hydraulic
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Pads
12000—
Air bags
Frontal
4312—
Equipment
Electrical; Appliance › Air conditioner
3000—
Structure
Body › Door; Frame and members
3000—
Seats
Mid/rear assembly
2000—
Seat belts
Rear/other; Front › Retractor
2000—
Visibility
Power window devices and controls
2000—
Electrical system
Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
2010—
Fuel system, gasoline
Delivery › Fuel pump; Storage › Tank assembly
2000—

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

Recent owner complaints

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