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Vehicle safety record

2001 Suzuki Esteem Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2001 Suzuki Esteem with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (10) and the suspension (5). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 injury. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2000 has 26 and the 2002 has 11.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Esteem year, for its age

#159 most complained-about 2001 vehicle

Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 2001 Suzuki Esteem problems

Share of all 21 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 2001 Suzuki Esteem

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Suzuki Esteem. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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21 complaints about the 2001 Suzuki Esteem

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Suspension

I was driving onto an exit at 45 miles per hour and I heard a very loud popping noise and lost control of the steering wheel pulled over. There was no more steering.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10760295
SuspensionBody, doors & structure

Husband was driving vehicle when the front tire gave way and bent in from frame. Took to the repair shop and was informed that the entire frame was rotted out. The vehicle could not be repaired as the part is not available. The car only had 129,000 miles on it. This is a common problem with the car and it should have been recalled. Fortunately, no accident occurred and no injuries were sustained. Shame on suzuki for producing inferior cars. This is a serious safely issue! *Tr

Filed Incident Suspension · StructureNHTSA 10594844
Suspension

I was driving the car on the highway and took the exit and then turning right from stop sign about 5 miles per hour and then heard a click and then tire were rubbing against the car body the kframe got rusted and twisted pushing the tire back and steering wheel off. *Tr

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10588723
Body, doors & structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 suzuki esteem. The contact stated that the front sub frame was completely rusted out, causing the vehicle to be unstable. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that there was nothing they could do to assist. The failure and current mileages were 199,000.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10458674
Body, doors & structure

Bought a 2001 suzuki esteem in april of 2011 car lot told me that there was a small bracket that needed to be replaced by motor and need to be replace asap here to find out that it was the whole subframe that holds up the motor and trasmission found that there was a suzuki recall on that part. Took the car to suzuki dealer the service guy called me and stated that there was a modification done to the subframe it self and that it was welded to the frame to help support it while waiting for a recall suzuki dealer called me and said suzuki cannot do recall due to the modification that was made. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6) *tt

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10432914
Body, doors & structure

Cross member recall why do I have to pay for the rotted out control arms that were a direct result of the rotted out cross member? *Tr

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10400665
Suspension

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 suzuki esteem. The contact stated entering a residential driveway, the front suspension and wheel completely fractured from the frame. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that an extended warranty was offered to the owners of those vehicles that experience the failure but the warranty was voided due to the mileage limitations of the warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 183,000.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10381122
Body, doors & structure

2001 Suzuki esteem. Steering was suddenly off center so I had an alignment completed which fixed the problem. About 1 week later, while driving, the steering wheel became very off center again. A few blocks further (i was driving in town at the time, at slow speeds) the front passenger sub-frame broke. This caused the front passenger wheel to slope and the suspension to pull out from the transmission, immediately making the car inoperable. Had this occurred at highway speeds, I am sure an accident would have...

Read the full complaint

ensued. Fortunately it occurs as I was pulling up to a stop sign. I had it towed to a repair shop, where I learned that it was caused by the frame rusting through and breaking. While there were small rust spots on the bottom of one of the doors, the car was not at all rusty. Due to expense to repair, I sold the car to the horseheads, ny pick-a-part used car parts lot and purchased a new car. *Tr

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10344528
Body, doors & structure

1) Driving from alabama to ohio - alignment felt "off" 2) frame rusted and dropped near right-front wheel. While driving/turning 5 mph in parking lot 3) junk car. *Tr

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10339934
Body, doors & structure

2001 Suzuki esteem front right wheel rubbing against inside fender car pulling to right k frame crossmember rotted part replaced by suzuki dealer old part is available part and pictures are available. *Tr

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10285996
SuspensionBody, doors & structure

Front subframe on a 2001 suzuki, esteem cracked. Call suzuki dealer to see if there were any recalls for that problem and the answer was no. Which I think there should be due to the fact that the car is not that old to have does kind of problems. Part and labor will be really expensive close to a $1,000 dollars for repair. When I talked to the person in the parts department, told me that they had a lot of people looking for the same part for repair lately, this is why I think is a recall issue and suzuki should warranty this kind of parts they are suppose to last for a really long time I suppose. Please help!!!!! I still haven't fixed the car because of costly repair. *Tr

Filed Incident Suspension · StructureNHTSA 10259958
Body, doors & structure

2001 Suzuki esteem wagon front cross member frame rusted out. Consumer wants to know if there are any recalls for this problem. *Nj

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10242615
Body, doors & structure

2001 SUZUKI ESTEEM LOST THE FRONT GRILL. *TS *JB

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10147581
Engine & cooling

Noticed ticking noise coming from engine compartment. Took it to get oil changed and state inspected no problem found. 3 Weeks later timing chain slipped and possible engine damage may have occurred. Vehicle has only 46000 miles. Prior to hearing ticking noise car was driving perfect. Timing chain repair $1000. If they find engine damage $3400.*Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10141354
Electrical system

Purchased a new suzuki esteem in 2001. About 30000 miles the key beagn to stick in the ignition and you could not take it out. Once you turned the car on, you could not move into park. Have had it "fixed" 3 times now. There is a little white button on the inside of steering wheel that once pushed will release the key from the locked position but in order to get to it you must take off the cover.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10117984
SteeringCrash

While making a right turn steering wheel locked in right turn position. This caused the consumer to collide into an embankment, hitting a tree. *Ak

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10079368
Engine & cooling

While driving, the engine make a ticking noise as if it needed oil, but it didn't. Upon inspection of the vehicle by the dealership they indicated that the noise was caused by an internal engine problem. *Ak *cb *jb

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10042806
Transmission & drivetrain

The defective transmission would not shift into other gears, it sounded like it was stuck in lower gear. Also, a loud sound would be produced from the transmission area of it being stuck in a lower gear when traveling at speeds around 55-65, dealer replaced transmission 3 times but vehicle still experiencing the same problem. *Yd

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 566024
Brakes1 injury

While entering a ramp consumer was attempting to slowdown and there were no brakes. Consumer had to run car up on concrete to stop. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated that brakes felt smushy. Please provide any further information.*Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 896206
Electrical system

Was driving at night when entire electrical system died. Vehicle stopped running. This was second time that problem has happened. Vehicle was able to be restarted when driver lifted hood and jiggled master control fuse (80 amp) come loose. Taking vehicle to dealership.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 893993
Wheels & tires

Vehicle purchased with yokohama a460 p195/55r15 tires. In wet road conditions vehicle skids when making a turn, in rain it slides. Yokohama representative stated this type tire will cause these problems in 50 and below degree weather.*Ak dot # fd8nnhb1700, yokohama adven a-460 tires. *Slc

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 882764

Suzuki Esteem: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
200211111Fuel systemC
200121010Body, doors & structureC
200026030Body, doors & structureD
199920040Body, doors & structureC
199824071Body, doors & structureF
19977000BrakesA
All Esteem years

2001 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 2001 Suzuki Esteem

Does the 2001 Suzuki Esteem have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 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 2001 Suzuki Esteem?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (10), suspension (5), electrical system (2).

How many complaints has the 2001 Suzuki Esteem had?

21 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 12, 2001 and the latest on August 31, 2015. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 2001 Suzuki Esteem a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 44 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as 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 2001 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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