MYRModel Year Report

1997 Suzuki Sidekick

○ Not enough data
1997 Suzuki Sidekick
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:48:50.498Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Suzuki Sidekick Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1988: 1 complaints 1988 1989: 7 complaints 1990: 5 complaints 1990 1991: 14 complaints 1992: 10 complaints 1992 1993: 14 complaints 1994: 21 complaints 1994 1995: 26 complaints 1996: 59 complaints 1996 1997: 36 complaints 1997 1998: 27 complaints 1998 2000: 1 complaints 2000
1997: 36 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19881
19897
19905
199114
199210
199314
199421
199526
199659
199736
199827
20001

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SUSPENSION 25%

25% of complaints: suspension — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing macpherson strut and front.

INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 25%

25% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and fan.

POWER TRAIN 19%

19% of complaints: power train — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20000929

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 TS

NHTSA ODI report, 20021108

AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20010418

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980128

VISIBILITY 11%

11% of complaints: visibility — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing windshield and heater core.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20000303 — 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 O

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

Campaign 00V008000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Suzuki Sidekick — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00V008000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.