1998 Suzuki Sidekick: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
27
owner complaints
1
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaigns1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Limited data: only 27 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)9 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)4 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)3 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline (fuel pump, tank, lines)3 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)2 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)2 complaints
“3 years ago I bought a set of 4 goodyear warngler duratrac tires for my suzuki vitara. After aprox 1,5 years I go to tire service shop to repair air loss around the rim. With tire unmounted we found inner layer separation. I reported this to the seller and after checking with goodyear represantive they changed the tire with new one. After another aprox 1,5 years I have to go to tire shop for another repair and found another tire with split layers. We checked all other tires minus warranty replaced one and they all are split from inside. I reported this to the seller and goodyear representive but they didn't offer any solution yet.”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2019
“Was in a frontal accident. Front end of car pretty much totaled. Airbags did not deploy, and no problems with the codes or light before this.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2015
“While driving 25 mph vehicle stalled. Towed to dealer, who found ignition coil was too close to engine block, and had shorted out. Dealer rewired ignition coil.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2001
Show 7 more owner reports
“Possible engine failure caused the vehicle to catch on fire in the engine compartment one day after the vehicle was purchased (case # 01-250-843-501, report # 1023282). Nlm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2001
“I suddenly heard a whirring and sound and the brakes started to grind when trying to stop. I had not experienced any braking problem prior to this event. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2000
“Consume rwas traveling about 45mph on highway and was going up a hill. When reaching the top of the hill, rear end came forward, and vehicle was sideways on the ramp. Vehicle veered over into an enbankment, and then at the and then came out of enbankment. Vehicle was still running . Rear driver's side tire had exploded.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2000
“Our sidekick is a 98 and the engine broke down on the highway we have also had to buy new head lights every tree months. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2000
“On 6-28-99 airbags deployed violently when vehicle went in a ditch causing serious injury to the driver and passenger. *yc”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 1999
“While drinving at about 65 another vehicle rammed into the back of consumer's vehicle on right hand side. Upon impact, driver's and passenger's seats totally callapsed. Also, gas tank bursted, and fuel splashed into consumers face. Consumer felt seats should not have broken loose because they were designed to hold passenger in place. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 1999
“Consumer had a head-on collision at 30mph. Smashed the front end completely, and the air bags did not deploy, as a result the driver dislocated shoulder. *ak *et”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Engines1.6L
Cylinders4
FuelGasoline
Drive type4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 · 4x2
Body stylesSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
How other years compare
Check your exact Sidekick by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.