AI Damage1997 Suzuki Sidekick: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick filed 36 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 36
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 25% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 19% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 11% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 8% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 9 complaints (25% of all).
- Suspension: 9 complaints (25% of all).
- Powertrain: 7 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 4 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 4 complaints (11% 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
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 36 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 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.
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.
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. The left tie rod assembly has separated between the inner link and the adjusting sleeve.
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.
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.
Consumer was involved in a 12 mph frontal collision in which the driver's or passenger's air bags did not deploy. Please give any further details.
While driving and without warning front and rear passenger side tires separated.
While traveling on highway, there is a knocking noise underneath vehicle. Dealership is aware of problem. Consumer states front of car started to shake causing loose steering, causing an accident where two people were injured.
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
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 6,253 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sidekick has 17 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 36, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, suspension, powertrain. Total complaints: 36. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (11%), stalls while driving (8%), vibration (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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.