AI Damage1991 Suzuki Sidekick: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Suzuki Sidekick filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about seat belts and child seat. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
What fails most often
- 1 Seat belts 71% of all complaints
- 2 Child seat 7% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 6 Tires 7% of all complaints
- Seat belts: 10 complaints (71% of all).
- Child seat: 1 complaints (7% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (7% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (7% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: AWD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Child seat | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Two rapid deflations of tires, just weeks apart, due to sidewall failure. First happened rounding a corner at about 20 mph, and the second while parked.
The front passenger and rear left seat belts on our 1991 suzuki sidekick have both failed this week. We have had no accidents in the car. The front right seat belt has locked in its case, making it impossible to use. The left rear seatbelt no longer lo.
I have a century carseat, model 4387lht, mfg date 010697, that has a buckle that suddenly stopped working. It would no longer buckle closed. Upon calling century products I was told that often kids stick foreign items in the hole where the buckle is causing this problem.
Seat belt recall repair completed however new buckles fell apart.
Pieces may break off the seat belt buckle, resulting in hard to insert the metal tongue into the buckle, dealer does not have the parts (recall).
Automatic door locks failed, trapping the driver in the car.
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 9,551 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sidekick has 17 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 14, below average.
What to check before buying
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- 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 1991 Suzuki Sidekick?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: seat belts, child seat, electrical system. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (57%), door locks, latches, handles (7%), smoke, burning smell, fire (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 Suzuki Sidekick?
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 1991 Suzuki Sidekick 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.
Other 1991 models
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.