AI Damage1987 Suzuki Samurai: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Suzuki Samurai filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about tires and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Tires 33% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 17% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 17% of all complaints
- Tires: 2 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: AWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The left rear tire delaminated and wrapped around the axel, causing the car to go out of control... Causing us to go out into the desert and roll over... I was injured, my husband only suffered a bruise, I received sever trauma to my head, causing me to need eye surgery within a year to regain vision.
Steering mechanism failed, causing loss of control/rollover.
Vehicle veered right then left, causing driver to lose control/accident/injury.
When consumer suddenly applied the brakes the vehicle rolled over causing her serious injury.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Samurai has 5 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 6, above average.
What to check before buying
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Suzuki Samurai?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: tires, engine and cooling, steering. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Suzuki Samurai?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Suzuki Samurai from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.