1996 Suzuki Sidekick

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  FAN BRACKET BROKE OFF ENGINE, MAKING COOLANT FAN INOPERATIVE.

• 12/30/1996· SEAT BELTS

  THE REAR SEAT BELT LOCKING CLIP BROKE, WHEN TRYING TO SECURE THE CSS IT WILL NOT LOCK THE CHILD IN BECAUSE OF THE BROKEN SEAT BELT IN THE REAR. *AK

• 12/23/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

  AXLE SEAL FAILED, CAUSED BRAKE SHOES TO ROTATE AND LOCK RR WHEEL. *AK

• 12/20/2007· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  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

• 12/14/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  INSIDE FRONT BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY WORN OUT, CAUSING VIBRATION UPON BRAKING.

• 12/10/1998· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. CONSUMER HAS HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

• 12/03/1996· SUSPENSION

  MADE A RIGHT TURN GOING STRIAGHT ON THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STARTED VEERING INTO THE LEFT LANE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. THERE WAS NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS MOVING FREELY. *AK

• 11/18/2002· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE BRACKET SNAP CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

• 11/15/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 11/10/1998· EQUIPMENT

  AIR CONDITIONER LEAKING/CONDENSATION THRU THE VENTS CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.

• 11/04/1996· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE THE WHEELS LOCKS UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN TRAFFIC. *AK

• 10/27/1997· POWER TRAIN

  SPEEDOMETER CABLE FAILED.

• 10/14/1999· POWER TRAIN

  INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR OR DOWNSHIFT WHILE DRIVING. CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

• 10/14/1999· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION IS HARD TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEARS.REPAIRS WERE DONE ON VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

• 09/30/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VEHICLE LEAKS EXHAUST INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

• 09/24/1998· AIR BAGS

  CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN PARKING LOT WITH ENGINE ON, HEARD LOUD HISSING NOISE, SMELLED FOUL ODOR, AND NOTICED THAT PROPELANT OR CHEMICALS OF AIRBAG WAS BEING RELEASED INSIDE VEHICLE. *AK

• 09/18/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE VARIOUS MILES OCCUPANT BEGAN TO STEP ON THE BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, STILL GOING THE SAME RATE OF SPEED. OCCUPANT HAS TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 09/16/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  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

• 08/31/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  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 ENDED UP BEING $139, BUT THEY DID NOT DO THE POWER LOCK PROBLEM I HAD ASKED FOR , AND TOLD ME THAT ALL RECALL WORK HAD BEEN COMPLEATED - BLEW ME OFF. STILL NO POWER LOCKS, FULE FILTER SEEMED MORE STUFFED UP THAN BEFORE, = POINTS, PLUGS, COILS, "SERVICE ENGIN LIGHTS" ETC. ON JULY 30, 2002 A BOLT APPARENTLY BROKE OFF THAT HAD BEEN HOLDING THE AIRCONDIONER TO REST OF THE CAR, THE FAN BELT WAS REPLACED ANDBOLT WELDED

• 08/30/2001· POWER TRAIN

  CLUTCH WELL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING. WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

• 08/30/1996· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK

• 08/28/1998· STRUCTURE

  INTERMITTENTLY WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 08/21/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. WHILE DRIVING SMOKING STARTED COMING THROUGH VENTS INSIDE VEHICLE, HEARD POPPING NOISE. VEHICLE WITH DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

• 08/16/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

  I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AUGUST OF 2002. I AM NOW REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR TIME #3. I KNOW FROM THE LAST 2 TIMES THE SLAVE CYLINDER AND CLUTCH WILL ALSO NEED TO BE DONE. THIS IS ABSOLUTLEY HORRID. MY FIRST REPLACEMENTS WERE 1/03 CYLINDERS #1 AND CLUTCH #1, SECOND TIME THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO BE DONE IN SEPTEMBER, HOWEVER DUE TO AN OUT OF STATE MOVE THEY WERE NOT DONE UNTIL 12/03 CYLINDERS #2 AND 1/04 CLUTCH #2. I AM AT MY WITS END ABOUT THIS. I SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE POWER TRAIN/CLUTCH PROBLEMS AND REPLACEMENTS. MY QUESTION IS THIS: IS SUZUKI LIABLE WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM?*AK

• 08/14/2002· SUSPENSION

  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

• 08/11/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  PULLEY ASSEMBLY PLATE DESIGN WAS NOT THICK ENOUGH FOR AMOUNT OF PRESSURE RECEIVED, RESULTING IN PULLY TO BE BROKEN AWAY FROM ENGINE BLOCK DAMAGING COMPONENTS WITHIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

• 08/07/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO DEACCELERATE AT APPROXIMATLEY 25 MPH. DEFECT WITHIN BRAKES CAUSED SMOKE AND BRAKES TO LOCK UP, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER HAS REPLACED ROTORS/CALPIRS AND BRAKES. *AK

• 08/05/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  PROPORTIONAL VALVE REPLACED.

• 08/03/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MOUNTING BRACKET HOLDING RADIATOR FAN CRACKED AROUND MOUNTING BOLTS. NLM

• 07/23/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ON FIVE OCCASIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TRUCK DIDN'T STOP . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

• 07/21/2000· SUSPENSION

  SINGLE CAR ROLL-OVER. WIND GUST WAS THOUGHT TO BLOW CAR TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. DRIVER OVER CORRECTED TRAVELING TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND THEN ROLLED 6-8 TIMES. DID THIS CARS ROLLOVER TENDENCY CONTRIBUTE TO THE ROLLOVER AND RELATED PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY? *AK

• 07/08/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  COMPLETE FAILURE OF INBOARD PADS EVERY 15,000 MILES.

• 06/16/1998· PARKING BRAKE,POWER TRAIN

  INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN SLAMMING THE DOOR CLOSE OR ANY TYPE OF VIBRATION CAUSES THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE. THE WHOLE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. OWNER STILL EXPEREINCING A PROBLEM WITH TRUCK IF NOT IN GEAR. *AK

• 06/16/1997· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED.

• 06/03/2001· POWER TRAIN

  IT SEEMS THESE TROUBLES ARE UNUSUAL FOR ANY CAR OWNER AND VERY COSTLY!! THE SPEEDOMETER WAS RELACED BY MY HUSBAND WITH A PART BOUGHT ONLINE FOR $50 IN ONE DAY, WHERE THE DEALER WOULD HAVE HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND CHARGED US $350. HOWEVER, THE CLUTCH IS A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM. THE DEALER QUOTED THE PART AT $51, WITH LABOR AT $700. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT IS A SAFETY FACTOR, SINCE I COULD NOT ENGAGE THE CLUTCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AND AM TERRIFIED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT HAS BEEN PROPERLY FIXED. CAN THE MANUFACTURER BE HELD RESPONSIBLE?*AK

• 05/26/1999· POWER TRAIN

  IN ADDITION, REPAIR JOB HAD TO BE DONE TWICE, AS LISTED PART DID NOT SEAL. *AK

• 05/20/1997· AIR BAGSCrash

  PASSIVE RESTRAINTS, AIR BAGS: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN VEHICLE CAME TO AN INTERSECTION , OTHER VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND WAS HIT HEAD-ON. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND HE SAID THAT SOMETIMES IT'S BEST IF AIRBAGS DON'T DEPLOY . DEALER WOULD NOT PERFORM REPAIRS. *AK

• 05/15/2000· SUSPENSION

  RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 00V008000 IN MAIL & CONTACTED DEALERSHIP FOR AN APPOINTMENT. WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE FRONT STRUTS. *AK

• 05/08/2000· SUSPENSION

  MOUNTING BOLTS BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (00V008) DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH. NLM

• 05/07/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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

• 05/02/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BELTS IN THE ENGINE SQUEAK WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED IN THE MORNING.

• 04/28/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE FAN HITS THE RADIATOR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SMOKE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

• 04/11/1999· POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS THAT I'LL NEED TO HAVE MY CLUTCH REPAIRED/REPLACED. IT WILL NOT GO INTO 1ST OR REVERSE WITHOUT USING EXCESSIVE FORCE. PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW BARELY GOES UP AND DOWN-IT'S BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE. REAR PASSENGER SIDE PANEL FALLING OFF CAR.

• 04/07/2000· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL CONCERNING LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE. AND HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. *AK

• 04/04/2000· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL (00V008) LETTER FOR THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAD NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE RECALLED COMPONENT, IT TOOK ONE MONTH FOR THE DEALER TO RECEIVE THE PART TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. *YH

• 04/03/2000· SUSPENSION

  THERE IS ONLY 1 DEALER IN ENTIRE STATE, AND DOES NOT MAKE APPOINTMENTS FOR RECALL REPAIRS. ALSO, NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *AK

• 04/03/2000· SUSPENSION

  RECALL 00V008000; MANUFACTURER DIDN'T HAVE PARTS TO SEND TO DEALER. THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER. *AK

• 04/02/2001· STRUCTURE

  CROSS MEMBER OF VEHICLE IS HELD IN PLACE BY ONE BOLT, BOLT FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WAS SHAKING BADLY. HARD TO CONTROL, ALMOST LOST DRIVESHAFT.*AK

• 04/02/1996· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCD INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS WHEN BECAME INOPERATIVE BY NOT WORKING. *AK

• 03/31/2000· SUSPENSION

  NHTSA RECALL 00V008000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL W2/FRONT STRUTS. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK