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Vehicle safety record

1996 Suzuki Esteem Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 1996 Suzuki Esteem with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (3) and the electrical system (1). Those complaints describe 1 crash. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1995 has 13 and the 1997 has 7.

NHTSA data checked

AFar fewer problems than a typical Esteem year, for its age

#187 most complained-about 1996 vehicle

Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 1996 Suzuki Esteem problems

Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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5 complaints about the 1996 Suzuki Esteem

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Wheels & tires

After 31,000 miles, 4 goodyear aquatread tires developed feathered tread blocks on all 4 tires. This resulted in road noise from the tires that was similar to that of all 4 wheel bearings failing simultaneously. The noise was so loud that normal conversation in the vehicle was not possible and any emergency signals such as sirens or horns could not be heard. I believe that prolonged exposure would have lead to hearing loss. The dealer where the tires were purchased could find no excuse for the tires doing this so...

Read the full complaint

he refused to honor the tires warranty based on my not having him rotate the tires on schedule. Even though I informed him that I had rotated the tires myself and that I had found many postings on internet sites detailing the exact or similar failure on these specific tires. I sent a email message to goodyear customer service. Their reply was that there was little they could do to control what their dealers do. I was forced to replace the tires at another dealer at my expense. It seems that the only warranty goodyear honors or the only defects they are interested in correcting are ones the judge says fix.*Ak

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10068139
BrakesTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

Took it to the service dept. Repeatedly and they never found problems so convienantly we had numerous problems and ended up turning the car in and lossing everything we put in to it and messing up our credit due to we were tired of fighting with the dealership and the manufacturer. So other people need to be aware of these dangerous problems with this car. It stranded me and my 2 children seveeral times not including my mother in law once when we let her borrow it . No one would listen to us so maybe you will ! I have written statements of these problems that other people had seen this car do ! No safety defected mentione din summary. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 708110
Engine & cooling

When driving at 45 mph, the pulley: crankshaft broke, causing the consumer to lose control of steering, and the balacing and the timing belt was damaged and the bolt came off. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 831708
BrakesAirbagsCrash

Driving 40 mph vehicle in front stopped suddenly, hit the brakes but rearended vehicle anyway; driver's side air bag did not deploy; was rearended by another vehicle and esteem was totaled. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Air bagsNHTSA 811053
Brakes

Abs brake failure, front calipers and bushing malfunctioned, causing front end vibration. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 811542

Suzuki Esteem: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
200026030Body, doors & structureD
199920040Body, doors & structureC
199824071Body, doors & structureF
19977000BrakesA
19965010BrakesA
199513010BrakesC
All Esteem years

1996 Suzuki Esteem vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1996 Suzuki Esteem

Does the 1996 Suzuki Esteem have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Suzuki Esteem right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Suzuki Esteem?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (3), electrical system (1), engine & cooling (1).

How many complaints has the 1996 Suzuki Esteem had?

5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 22, 1997 and the latest on May 1, 2004. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1996 Suzuki Esteem a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 84 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Suzuki Esteem year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Suzuki Esteem years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1996 Suzuki Esteem has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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