1997 Suzuki Sidekick
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 36
- Recalls
- 1
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Suspension
Campaigns on file for 1997
None on file
25% of complaints
Complaints per year
1997: 36 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 7 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1991 | 14 |
| 1992 | 10 |
| 1993 | 14 |
| 1994 | 21 |
| 1995 | 26 |
| 1996 | 59 |
| 1997 | 36 |
| 1998 | 27 |
| 2000 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Suspension
25% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing macpherson strut and front.
Engine and engine cooling
25% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and fan.
Power train
19% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.
Show complaint excerpts
Consumer was driving at approximately 65 MPH when driver noticed that gear was in the 2ND gear ,consumer went to shift gear when it shifted into reverse, causing the vehicle to spin and roll over.
NHTSA ODI report, 2000-09-29
The clutch pedal attachment clip in the passenger compartment spot weld broke allowing the pedal to detach from the linkage. When the owner entered the truck the pedal was already detached. Please describe details…
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-08
Air bags
11% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
Consumer was traveling at approximately 35 to 40 MPH under cold/ dry conditions when vehicle hit a dip in road, causing loss of control, and vehicle went over a snow bank, and impacted a tree on front center area of vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2001-04-18
Consumer was involved in a 12 MPH frontal collision in which the driver's or passenger's air bags did not deploy. Please give any further details.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-01-28
Visibility
11% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing windshield and heater core.
Safety timeline
1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2000-03-03Suspension00V008000 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…
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…
Buy-smart checklist
1997 Suzuki Sidekick — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Suspension: 9 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 9 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 7 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 00V008000 · Suspension
FAQ
- Is the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick?
- The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick have?
- 1 recall on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-20 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.