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
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not 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 / 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 4Door 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 4Door 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 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Sidekick Sport 4WD
21mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular 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 / 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 / 23 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 Sport 4WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular 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 area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Clutch assembly; Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
16
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front; Front › Macpherson strut
16
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Cooling system › Fan
13
0
1
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Pads
12
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal
4
3
1
2
—
Equipment Electrical; Appliance › Air conditioner
3
0
0
0
—
Structure Body › Door; Frame and members
3
0
0
0
—
Seats Mid/rear assembly
2
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Rear/other; Front › Retractor
2
0
0
0
—
Visibility Power window devices and controls
2
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 20, 2007 · 76,421 milesPower train › Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle) 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. *TR
Feb 8, 2007 · crash · fire · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal 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. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND FORCED THE CONTACT LEFT HAND TO GO THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WHICH SHATTER,ED,AND CAUSED CONTUSIONS TO HIS KNUCKLES. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE POLICE AND THERE WAS REPORT. THE OFFICER COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE AIRBAGS COULD HAVE DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE UTILITY POLE HAD NO DAMAGE,…
Sep 16, 2004 · fireElectrical system CONSUMER STATES THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. SHE STATES THAT SHE GOT INTO HER VEHICLE AND INSERTED THE KEY. SHE SAID THAT WHEN SHE TURNED THE KEY, IT SOUNDED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. SHE STATES SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, WAITED AND THEN TURNED THE IGNITION ON AGAIN, THEN SHE SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE, THEN THERE WAS FIRE. SHE SAID HER HUSBAND AND THE NEIGHBOR PUT THE FIRE OUT. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE SHE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FIRE . SHE SAID SHE HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW/USED MOTOR. SHE SAID SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED. *JB
May 7, 2003Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS NHTSA RECALL 96-V-121-002 RELATED TO THE FUEL TANK. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM
Oct 10, 2002Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly CONSUMER STATES, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALWAYS INDICATED HOT, DUE TO THE RADIATOR CAP WHICH IS DEFECTED, HAS BEEN CHANGE THREE TIMES. AND REOCURRING THE PROBLEM.. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Aug 23, 2002Power train › Clutch assembly THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ALMOST FROM THE DAY I PURSCHASED IT FROM LARGO HONDA IN KEY LARGO FLORIDA; DEC. OF 1999. ALTHOUGH I PURSCHASED AN EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT FOR $8,000, I WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET SATIFACTION FROM THE DEALER, THE SELLER, OR MY WARRENTY CO. ALWAYS AT MY EXPENCE , TOWING, {RENTAL CARS =$1,700 04/05/00 - 50,373 MILES AUTO DOC OF KEY LARGO, 305] 453-0977, REPLACED FAN, CLUTCH, ADJUSTER, RADIATOR, WATER PUMP.... NOW THIS WHERE MY MOST RECEIENT BEGAINS. *SOUTH MOTORS OF MIAMI. I WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT A SECOND W2 RECALL NHTSA ID # 00V008000, 96V121002- I CALLED SUZKI, I CALLED SOUTH MOTORS - TOOK AUTO TO SOUTH MOTORS 6AM, FOR THE DAY, RECIEVED ESTIMATED $29 OIL CHANGE THAT…
Mar 12, 2002Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut RIGHT FRONT DROPPED WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Mar 28, 2002Suspension CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION LAST YEAR IN 2001,TO DATETHE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SUPPLY THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENT FOR THE VEHICLE. NLV CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED SECOND NOTICE FOR SAFETY RECALL. *MR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.