1998 Suzuki Esteem Problems, complaints & recalls

Air bags lights went on yesterday, I never had any accident. Seat bet gets stocks. Suzuki esteem 1998.[[redacted]] vin # information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Was driving on the highway , slowed down to take a right turn onto side road....There was a terrible grinding noise and immediate pull of car to right...Had to fight to keep control of car...Was hard to steer but drove home at about 5 miles per hour...Luckily only a quarter of a mile...Pretty sure if it had let go if I'd hit a bump or something driving 55 on the highway...That the car would have flipped...That's how quickly I lost control...After reading all other reports...Too bad this car had not been recalled...I might not now be without a car. *Tr

I was driving on flat paved road at approximately 30 miles per hour when the subframe snapped on the right front passenger side of the vehicle causing the vehicle to immediately jerk right with substantial force. I was able to maintain control of the vehicle with the steering wheel due to driving at a low speed but the car was pulling very hard to the right and the steering wheel was almost impossible to steer. I drove approximately one half mile to a spot where I was able to pull over safely, I noticed the...

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 suzuki esteem. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle began shifting to the right. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the front cross member frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The contact stated he was unable to contact the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 114,524. ..Updated 09-26-12 *bf the consumer stated the manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. Updated 10/01/2012 *js

Front suspension cross member in 1998 suzuki esteem cracked open while driving at 25mph. Car suddenly pulled to the right, since it happen at low speed I was able to quickly stop. Upon inspection of the front suspension cross member I found out that rusting was so extensive that you could poke a hole in the cross member by simply pushing a screw driver on to the surface of the cross member. *Tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 suzuki esteem. While driving 25 mph the frame on the vehicle broke. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who replaced the frame. The failure occurred again and the vehicle was taken back to the same mechanic. The mechanic advised her to call nhtsa. She called the manufacturer and was unable to leave a message. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000. The current mileage was 68,000.

98 Suzuki esteem cross member(engine cradle) on the suzuki esteem the engine cradle or cross member rot causing the vehicle to collapse causing into an accident ,crossmember or engine cradle supports lower control arms which if the crossmember let go will cause the vehicle to possible crash in my experience as a auto mechanic every single suzuki esteem that have come to my shop for state inspection has fail due to the cross member this includes 98 to 01 suzuki esteem ,every single car at junkyards are rusted out...

1998 Suzuki esteem left rear tire blew out causing the consumer to hit the guardrail. *Kb the consumers daughter was slightly injured. Ohio traffic report # 10-90-0789. *Jb

Re: 1-131916218, 1998 suzuki esteem clutch failed. *Bf seat belt loosening while driving. Driver's seat cover and door panel needed to be replaced. Hestiation on acceleration. Clutch failed prematurely. *Tt

This complaint deals with failed inner tie-rod in the gear assembly. The failure resulted in severe problems in controlling the car at high speed. The problem arose because of broken boot and subsequent moisture build-up and damage to the tie-rod. The service personnel attributed the failure to faulty part and poor workmanship. There was the possibility of loss of control of the car and danger to occupants of the car and other drivers on the road.*Ak

There is a squeaking noise when driving that stopped when brakes were applied. Took vehicle to dealer, and they changed brake pads. Three months later, problem reoccurred. Brakes have been constantly changed. Please provide any further information.*Ak

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

While operating vehicle at higher speeds, approximately 55 mph and higher, vehicle will weave, and vehicle is very difficult to control on highway. *Note: consumer purchased vehicle with approximately 15,000 miles on it, and had to have struts replaced at approximately 22,000 miles. Please provide any additional information/attachments. *Ak

Reported to dealer and was told undercarriage was loose and rubbing on tires to cause steering wheel vibration, but it still shakes and vibrates

Vehicle was placed in park for over two hours. Then, consumer noticed smoke coming from the tail lights, and vehicle caught on fire. Fire department was called, and determined the cause to be an electrical problem. *Ak *ml

This is the second seperate incident with door handles on this car. The first failure was on the rear drivers side door, the second failure is on the drivers side door. Both handles lift up and jam in an open position. Handles can be pushed back down with some effort but then fail to operate. This makes the doors inoperative from the outside, so in an accident passengers would not be able to be extracted from the vehicle. I have researched the web and no service bulletins exist for this problem.

On 8-31-98 the whole front end of vehicle was wrecked, airbags experienced no deployment during collision. *Yc

Consumer was involved in a 35 mph frontal collision in which driver's/passenger's air bags did not deploy. *Ak

Consumer was rearended. Upon impact, driver's and passenger's seat retractors broke, causing the passengers to fall/lide into the rear seats. Also, driver's side headrest bent. Driver and passenger sustained injuries. *Ak

Consumer was involved in a vehicle accident which caused the vehicle to roll over four times, neither airbags deployed. Dealer notifed.

During frontal impact at 405 mph, the driver's and passenger's side air bags did not deploy. Please provide any details.

No deployment of air bag during collision, also seat belt did not lock up, resulting in injuries. (Qcaw)

While driving 50 mph vehicle loses control. Steering pulls left to right. Vehicle has been to dealers, where they are unable fix problem. *Ak

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE.