Suzuki Sidekick Recalls — All NHTSA Recall Campaigns

Q: How many recalls does the Suzuki Sidekick have?

The Suzuki Sidekick has 3 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA, spanning model years 1993 through 1996. Individual vehicles may be subject to fewer recalls depending on their specific model year and production date.

Q: Is my Sidekick under recall?

Whether your specific Sidekick is subject to a recall depends on your vehicle's exact VIN, not just the model year. A recall may apply to a specific production date range or certain build configurations. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov/recalls to see which, if any, open recalls apply to your exact vehicle.

Q: What is the most recalled Sidekick year?

Based on NHTSA recall data, the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick has the most recall campaigns associated with it, with 2 campaigns. However, this reflects recall campaigns for that model year — not necessarily the number of defects in vehicles built that year.

3 recall campaigns on record across 2 model years of the Suzuki Sidekick. Data sourced directly from NHTSA and updated daily.

Check Your Specific VIN — Free All Suzuki Recalls

Recall Campaigns

166

Owner Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

2 affected model years16 crash-involved complaintsMost recalled year: 1996

Affected Model Years

19962R · 45C 19931R · 7C

R = recalls · C = complaints. Click a year to see the full problems report.

Recall Breakdown by Component Category

Suspension/Wheels2 campaigns (67%)

Engine1 campaign (33%)

Most Common Owner Complaint Areas — Suzuki Sidekick

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SUSPENSION:FRONT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

Based on 166 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years. 18 injuries reported.

All Suzuki Sidekick Recall Campaigns

#94V0730021993 Suzuki SidekickSuspension/Wheels

Issued: Invalid Date

SUSPENSION:REAR

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 A…

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS OF THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES ON INVOLVED VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE COMPLETE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY.

#00V0080001996 Suzuki SidekickSuspension/Wheels

Issued: Invalid Date

SUSPENSION

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.

Remedy: 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 BA…

#96V1210021996 Suzuki SidekickEngine

Issued: Feb 7, 1996

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

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

Recalls by Component

1Engine Recalls

#96V121002MY 1996

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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 …

Suzuki Sidekick Recall — Frequently Asked Questions

How many recalls does the Suzuki Sidekick have?

The Suzuki Sidekick has 3 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database, spanning model years 1993 through 1996.

Is my Sidekick under recall?

Recall applicability depends on your specific VIN — not just the model year. Some recalls cover only certain production date ranges or trim levels. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov for an exact answer.

What is the most recalled Sidekick year?

Based on NHTSA data, the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick has the highest recall campaign count (2 campaigns). However, the total count of campaigns is not the same as the number of defects — some campaigns are issued as expansions of earlier recalls.

Does a Sidekick recall mean my car is unsafe to drive?

Not necessarily. Recalls range from critical safety hazards — where NHTSA advises against driving — to minor inconveniences like a label error. Check the consequence field of each recall to understand the severity. If your specific VIN is subject to an open recall, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Who pays for recall repairs on a Sidekick?

The manufacturer is legally required to pay for all recall repairs under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer, regardless of whether you are the original owner or whether the vehicle is out of warranty.

Check Your Specific Suzuki Sidekick for Open Recalls

Model-level recall data tells you what campaigns exist. A VIN-specific check tells you exactly which ones apply to your vehicle — based on production date, serial number, and configuration.

Free VIN Check — Check My Sidekick

Suzuki Sidekick Problems & Complaints All Suzuki Recalls All Makes — Recall Center