- The problem
- 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 of the front struts to the vehicle body.
- The risk
- If the strut broke loose, a driver could lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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 bar stays will be replaced.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Suzuki Sidekick Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (12) and the suspension (10). Those complaints describe 7 crashes and 8 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in January 2000 for the suspension. For comparison, the 1996 has 66.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Sidekick year, for its age
#99 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 48
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 7
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 8
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 Suzuki Sidekick problems
Share of all 48 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1997 Suzuki Sidekick recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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48 complaints about the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
While driving and without prior warning vehicle will stall which causes loss of all power. Vehicle has been taken to the dealer in which the computer was replaced. Problem still occurs; the failed component has not been identified. *Ak
While driving and without warning front and rear passenger side tires separated. *Cb *nlm
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
Consumer stated the ring and pinion gears failed. Nlm
The vehicle struts broke while driving, the consumer never received recall notice 00v-008 relating to the strut rod. Nlm
While traveling on highway, there is a knocking noise underneath vehicle. Dealership is aware of problem.*Ak consumer states front of car started to shake causing loose steering, causing an accident where two people were injured. *Yd
Nhtsa id# 00v-008-000 manufacture id #w2 the dealership is refusing to service the recall because the computer reading shows that the front struts where already serviced on april 13, 2000. The consumer debates the print from the manufacturer. Nlm
Consumer states that after the vehicle was repaired under the recall the problem became worse. The vehicle was repaired at: market place suzuki, heneretta, ny 585-359-4900. Nlm
While driving about 60 mph on road at night, then woke up in hospital. Witness said that driver lost control of vehicle, and hit middle of the road, then rolled over. Dealer was contacted. Please provide more information.*Ak
Purchased this sidekick july 24, 2001. Within days the " engine soon" light came on and stayed on. Due to a 30 day 1000 mile extended warranty I took the sidekick to the ford dealership purchased at. The sidekick was taken to the suzuki dealership for evaluation. It was determined that the solenoid and valve body were defected. A remanufactured transmission was placed in the vehicle due to cost analysis. After 1.5 Weeks in the shop I picked up "my" sidekick. Within 3 days the "check engine soon" light came...
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on and stayed on. Returned the sidekick to the ford dealership where purchased. The suzuki dealership determined that the remanufactured transmission needed replaced. It was relayed to me that the suzuki remanufactured transmissions had a valve body defect. Transmission number 2 was pulled and in went remanufactured transmission number 3. I picked up the sidekick this morning. Within 2 hours and less than 30 miles the "service engine soon" light came on and stayed on. Contacted the ford dealership where purchased. The sidekick will be picked up monday morning and I'll be driving another loaner vehicle (for which I'm very grateful). I'll find out in 2-3 days whether my new to me used to you gets transmission number 4. I've had this vehicle for 31 days, had the priviledge of driving it for 7 days tops. The 30 day 1000 mile extended warranty has now expired. I've requested a collateral trade. I won't find out about that until the owner of the dealership returns monday. I've had more transmissions in this one vehicle in one month than I've had in all my vehicles in the past 15 years! Like to know what our rights are. I've not even made the first payment yet. Would like some inormation on our rights as consumers. Thanks!*Ak
While driving at 55 mph consumer suddenly lost control of the vehicle and it crashed into a concrete wall. Dealership examined vehicle, and found that strut rod had broken, causing the crash. *Ak the left tie rod assembly has separated between the inner link and the adjusting sleeve. *Slc
Tires separated with complete steel tread and tires chunks missing, this occurred at 60mph. I still have tires on car.*Ak
Clutch keep prematurely failing about 6-10 months due to a white piece that goes around clutch that keeps breaking. Consumer has already replaced clutch 6 times.*Ak
These parts were replaced when I had transmission failure. *Ak
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. Drivers and passengers air bags failed to deploy. Dealership has not given consumer any reason for cause of defect. *Suzuki was in possession of air bags, and vehicle was considered to be a total loss.*Ak *slc
The 4 wheel drive unit would not engage or work on occasions, the transfer case required replacement. *Mjs
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. Vehicle was totaled, resulting in injuires to driver. *Ak
Engine stalled when let off gas during turn in intersection almost lost control. This vehicle is standard shift, need 3 feet to drive. This appears to possably be the same issue as odi id 781364, 824717, 713749, 805550. Dealer says engine defective.
While driving the bracket that the cooling fan and air conditioning compressor mount to cracked and separated. The cooling fan was thrown into the radiator and caused the radiator to fail suddenly. The cooling fan and bracket piece also damaged the front of the air conditioning compressor causing failure.
Consumer tried several times to get dealer to repair vehicle under recall. But no parts were available. Please provide further information.*Ak
I had just pulled onto a major highway, luckily was only going 40 mph in 4th gear when the driveshaft came off the motor mount, but stayed attached to the rear. My truck came up off the ground 3 ft. According to a witness who was behind me at the time. I was able to pull off the highway. Per the ser vice mananger at david mcdavid, the bolts were missing from the motor mount. I am not hard on this vehicle, and in my opinion, and that of the service mgr. This is a quality issue with suzuki. I did contact the tx....
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Rep. For suzuki, she was very rude! It took 17 days for the service dept. At the dealership to get a new drive shaft. They stated there was not "one" in all of north america or canada." They had to have one brought in by boat. I do not feel safe in this vehicle any longer, and would never buy another suzuki. Also, the dealership's general manager stated that they would make me a good deal on a gmc full size truck. I never wanted back in the suzuki again, this was a very traumatic experience for me. I picked out a gmc truck, made a deal with david mcdavid, drove it home and then they welched on the deal and all of a sudden wanted a $3,000.00 Downpayment! I am turning this into the bbb. My whole family has been repeat customers of that dealership, and now I am being treated very poorily. They just lost alot of business. Anything you can do to help me will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.*Ak
Recall repair completed (00v-008), however the mechanic failed to repair correctly, consumer had to return for additional repair. *Mjs
Bracket which holds the fan broke off and caused the fan to cut into the radiator. Dealer notified, and part was not covered under warranty. *Ak
Fan bracket broke and sent fan into radiator causing major gashes and car to overheat. Vehicle temperature gauge never went to hot and engine lights did not give any signs of problems. Motor completely burnt up.
STARTER FAILED. NLM
Suzuki Sidekick: every year compared
All Sidekick years1997 Suzuki Sidekick vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Suzuki Sidekick | 48 | 1 | F | |
| 1997 Suzuki TL1000S | 11 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 1997 Suzuki Esteem | 7 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle | 5 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Suzuki Swift | 4 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Suzuki Intruder | 3 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1997 Suzuki GSX-R750 | 1 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Suzuki GSX-R600 | 1 | 1 | C | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick
Does the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick: suspension (January 2000). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (12), suspension (10), engine & cooling (8).
How many complaints has the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick had?
48 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 25, 1996 and the latest on August 13, 2003. Of these, 7 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 8 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 14 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Suzuki Sidekick 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 Sidekick years have the most complaints?
1996 (66), 1997 (48), 1995 (27). See every Suzuki Sidekick year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Suzuki Sidekick 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