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Engine & cooling

Suzuki Sidekick Engine problems by year

28 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Suzuki Sidekick's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
19978110
199610000
19953000
19942000
19932000
19921000
19892000

Latest Sidekick engine complaints

1989 Suzuki SidekickEngine & coolingElectrical system

Tl*the contact owns a 1989 suzuki sidekick. The contact noticed that the check engine light was constantly illuminated on the instrument panel. On two occasions, he took the vehicle to the dealer and paid $100 to have the light turned off. There is a switch in the circuit that he cannot locate, but needs to remove it in order to prevent the check engine light from illuminating again. The suzuki dealer will not remove the switch because it is a federally mandated malfunction, according to the paperwork the...

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contact was provided. If the switch is not removed, the warning indicator will illuminate and prevent the contact from receiving an emissions sticker. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 81,000. Updated 5/5/09 *cn the dealer recommended replacing the oxygen sensor. Updated 05/06/09.*Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10266231
1992 Suzuki SidekickEngine & cooling

While driving consumer drove over a bump in the road and check engine light illuminated. *Ak *sc

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10048323
1996 Suzuki SidekickEngine & cooling

Consumer states, the temperature gauge always indicated hot, due to the radiator cap which is defected, has been change three times. And reocurring the problem.. Please provide further information. Ts

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8022832
1996 Suzuki SidekickEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

This car has been in the shop almost from the day I purschased it from largo honda in key largo florida; dec. Of 1999. Although I purschased an extended service contract for $8,000, I was never able to get satifaction from the dealer, the seller, or my warrenty co. Always at my expence , towing, {rental cars =$1,700 04/05/00 - 50,373 miles auto doc of key largo, 305] 453-0977, replaced fan, clutch, adjuster, radiator, water pump.... Now this where my most receient begains. *South motors of miami. I...

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was notified about a second w2 recall nhtsa id # 00v008000, 96v121002- I called suzki, I called south motors - took auto to south motors 6am, for the day, recieved estimated $29 oil change that ended up being $139, but they did not do the power lock problem I had asked for , and told me that all recall work had been compleated - blew me off. Still no power locks, fule filter seemed more stuffed up than before, = points, plugs, coils, "service engin lights" etc. On july 30, 2002 a bolt apparently broke off that had been holding the aircondioner to rest of the car, the fan belt was replaced andbolt welded

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power trainNHTSA 766501
1997 Suzuki SidekickEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 731869
1997 Suzuki SidekickEngine & coolingEquipment & accessories

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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EquipmentNHTSA 723888
1997 Suzuki SidekickEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 860550
1997 Suzuki SidekickEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 721617
1995 Suzuki SidekickEngine & cooling

While driving at a speed of 65 mph when the engine suddenly blew out without warning. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 851657
1997 Suzuki SidekickEngine & coolingVisibility & wipers

The windshield cracked twice because a pebble on the road struck it . The car has been shutting off repeatedly. The engine check light came on when the car was still a baby. This car is a drivers nightmare.

Filed Engine and engine cooling · Visibility · Unknown or otherNHTSA 713749
1994 Suzuki SidekickEngine & cooling

Dealer is unable to correct vehicle emission problem; vehicle gives off fuel vapor into vehicle while driving. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 828889
1997 Suzuki SidekickBrakes

Brake malfunction. Grinding noise and poor performance, usually in wet, cool weahter. Noise seems to come from rear of vehicle.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 540734
1996 Suzuki SidekickEngine & cooling

Pulley assembly plate design was not thick enough for amount of pressure received, resulting in pully to be broken away from engine block damaging components within engine compartment.

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 538966

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

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