1996 SUZUKI SIDEKICK Problems & Recalls

CLUTCH PEDAL SEPARATES FROM PIVOT SHAFT. WELD BRAKES, PEDAL DETACHES, VEHICLE DISABLED. THIRD OCCURRENCE. OEM PEDAL REPLACEMENT REVEALS NO-WARRANTY, COMMON OCCURRENCE FAILURE MODE. PEDAL RE-ATTACHED TO SHAFT BY PROFESSIONAL WELDERS ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES. HAVE REPLACED CLUTCH CABLE, CLUTCH PLAT...

Mileage: 76,421

CLUTCH PEDAL SEPARATES FROM PIVOT SHAFT. WELD BRAKES, PEDAL DETACHES, VEHICLE DISABLED. THIRD OCCURRENCE. OEM PEDAL REPLACEMENT REVEALS NO-WARRANTY, COMMON OCCURRENCE FAILURE MODE. PEDAL RE-ATTACHED TO SHAFT BY PROFESSIONAL WELDERS ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES. HAVE REPLACED CLUTCH CABLE, CLUTCH PLAT...

Mileage: 76,421

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1996 SUZUKI SIDEKICK SPORT ON AN ICY AFTERNOON HE PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH AND HIT THE UTILITY POLE, AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG POPPED AND BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE CENTER OF THE BAG. A NEIGHBOR SAW WHAT HAPPENED ...

CONSUMER STATES THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. SHE STATES THAT SHE GOT INTO HER VEHICLE AND INSERTED THE KEY. SHE SAID THAT WHEN SHE TURNED THE KEY, IT SOUNDED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. SHE STATES SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, WAITED AND THEN TURNED THE IGNITION ON AGAIN, THEN SHE SMELLED AND SA...

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS NHTSA RECALL 96-V-121-002 RELATED TO THE FUEL TANK. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

RIGHT FRONT DROPPED WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION LAST YEAR IN 2001,TO DATETHE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SUPPLY THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENT FOR THE VEHICLE. NLV CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED SECOND NOTICE FOR SAFETY RECALL. *MR

RECALL 00 V 008000 /FRONT STRUTS: C AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER: (KNOXVILLE, FORD LINCOLN, SUZUKI; KNOXVILLE, TN; PHONE# 865/688-4600, HE STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE STRUTS, AND ONLY MAKE REPAIRS IF IT NEEDED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CLUTCH WELL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING. WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

IT SEEMS THESE TROUBLES ARE UNUSUAL FOR ANY CAR OWNER AND VERY COSTLY!! THE SPEEDOMETER WAS RELACED BY MY HUSBAND WITH A PART BOUGHT ONLINE FOR $50 IN ONE DAY, WHERE THE DEALER WOULD HAVE HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND CHARGED US $350. HOWEVER, THE CLUTCH IS A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM. THE DEALER QUOTED THE PA...

IT SEEMS THESE TROUBLES ARE UNUSUAL FOR ANY CAR OWNER AND VERY COSTLY!! THE SPEEDOMETER WAS RELACED BY MY HUSBAND WITH A PART BOUGHT ONLINE FOR $50 IN ONE DAY, WHERE THE DEALER WOULD HAVE HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND CHARGED US $350. HOWEVER, THE CLUTCH IS A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM. THE DEALER QUOTED THE PA...

CROSS MEMBER OF VEHICLE IS HELD IN PLACE BY ONE BOLT, BOLT FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WAS SHAKING BADLY. HARD TO CONTROL, ALMOST LOST DRIVESHAFT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND EXPERIENCES CONTINUED VIBRATION, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, FRAME ADJUSTED, NEW TIRES PUT ON AND BALANCED, FRONT END ALIGNED, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE TIRES OR THE FRONT END SUSPENSION. CJ

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND EXPERIENCES CONTINUED VIBRATION, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, FRAME ADJUSTED, NEW TIRES PUT ON AND BALANCED, FRONT END ALIGNED, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE TIRES OR THE FRONT END SUSPENSION. CJ

SINGLE CAR ROLL-OVER. WIND GUST WAS THOUGHT TO BLOW CAR TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. DRIVER OVER CORRECTED TRAVELING TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND THEN ROLLED 6-8 TIMES. DID THIS CARS ROLLOVER TENDENCY CONTRIBUTE TO THE ROLLOVER AND RELATED PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY? *AK

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 00V008000 IN MAIL & CONTACTED DEALERSHIP FOR AN APPOINTMENT. WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE FRONT STRUTS. *AK

MOUNTING BOLTS BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (00V008) DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH. NLM

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL CONCERNING LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE. AND HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL (00V008) LETTER FOR THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAD NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE RECALLED COMPONENT, IT TOOK ONE MONTH FOR THE DEALER TO RECEIVE THE PART TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. *YH

THERE IS ONLY 1 DEALER IN ENTIRE STATE, AND DOES NOT MAKE APPOINTMENTS FOR RECALL REPAIRS. ALSO, NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *AK

RECALL 00V008000; MANUFACTURER DIDN'T HAVE PARTS TO SEND TO DEALER. THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER. *AK

NHTSA RECALL 00V008000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL W2/FRONT STRUTS. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK

RECALL200V008000/MCPHERSON STRUTS. PARTS THAT ARE NEEDED TO PERFORM THE RECALL ARE NOT AVAILBALE.*AK

CONSUMER CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT FOR RECALL 00V008000/ FRONT STRUTS REPAIRS. PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. CONSUMER IS UPSET BECAUSE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHEN PART WILL BE IN. MANUFACTURER ALSO CONTACTED BUT OF NO HELP. PROBLEM STILL REMAINS UNREPAIRED. *AK *ML

BECAME VERY HARD TO CHANGE GEERS,COULD NOT SHIFT IN INTERSECTIONS, TOOK TWO HANDS CAUSING SHOLDER PAIN! THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. DEALERSHIP WILL ONLY REPLACE PARTS-CLUTCH ROD,PEDAL ROD&CLUTCH LINKAGE PIECES. THOUGH THEY ADMIT THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM/DEFECT IN CLUTCH POWER TRAI...

THE FUSE CONTROLLING THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND ANOTHER FUSE CONROLLING DOME LIHT BLEW OUT. YH

FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STRAPS OF WIRES ABOVE THE GAS TANK TO MELT,SHUTING OFF THE VEHICLE. YH

AXLE SEAL FAILED, CAUSED BRAKE SHOES TO ROTATE AND LOCK RR WHEEL. *AK

AXLE SEAL FAILED, CAUSED BRAKE SHOES TO ROTATE AND LOCK RR WHEEL. *AK

AXLE SEAL FAILED, CAUSED BRAKE SHOES TO ROTATE AND LOCK RR WHEEL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION IS HARD TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEARS.REPAIRS WERE DONE ON VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR OR DOWNSHIFT WHILE DRIVING. CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR OR DOWNSHIFT WHILE DRIVING. CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

MOUNTING BRACKET HOLDING RADIATOR FAN CRACKED AROUND MOUNTING BOLTS. NLM

IN ADDITION, REPAIR JOB HAD TO BE DONE TWICE, AS LISTED PART DID NOT SEAL. *AK

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS THAT I'LL NEED TO HAVE MY CLUTCH REPAIRED/REPLACED. IT WILL NOT GO INTO 1ST OR REVERSE WITHOUT USING EXCESSIVE FORCE. PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW BARELY GOES UP AND DOWN-IT'S BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE. REAR PASSENGER SIDE PANEL FALLING OFF CAR.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS THAT I'LL NEED TO HAVE MY CLUTCH REPAIRED/REPLACED. IT WILL NOT GO INTO 1ST OR REVERSE WITHOUT USING EXCESSIVE FORCE. PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW BARELY GOES UP AND DOWN-IT'S BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE. REAR PASSENGER SIDE PANEL FALLING OFF CAR.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS THAT I'LL NEED TO HAVE MY CLUTCH REPAIRED/REPLACED. IT WILL NOT GO INTO 1ST OR REVERSE WITHOUT USING EXCESSIVE FORCE. PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW BARELY GOES UP AND DOWN-IT'S BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE. REAR PASSENGER SIDE PANEL FALLING OFF CAR.

CLUTCH WELD ATTACHMENT BROKEN: PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR UPON STARTING THE ENGINE. REOCCURING SIGNS OF "STICKING" OCCURED WHILE UP-SHIFTING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY SAFETY WAS IN JEOPORDY! CAR WOULD NOT HAVE STARTED-UP AGAIN, IF THE PEDAL BROKE DURING ANY TRIP.

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. CONSUMER HAS HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER LEAKING/CONDENSATION THRU THE VENTS CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.

CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN PARKING LOT WITH ENGINE ON, HEARD LOUD HISSING NOISE, SMELLED FOUL ODOR, AND NOTICED THAT PROPELANT OR CHEMICALS OF AIRBAG WAS BEING RELEASED INSIDE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE VARIOUS MILES OCCUPANT BEGAN TO STEP ON THE BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, STILL GOING THE SAME RATE OF SPEED. OCCUPANT HAS TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK

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.

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO DEACCELERATE AT APPROXIMATLEY 25 MPH. DEFECT WITHIN BRAKES CAUSED SMOKE AND BRAKES TO LOCK UP, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER HAS REPLACED ROTORS/CALPIRS AND BRAKES. *AK

COMPLETE FAILURE OF INBOARD PADS EVERY 15,000 MILES.

INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN SLAMMING THE DOOR CLOSE OR ANY TYPE OF VIBRATION CAUSES THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE. THE WHOLE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. OWNER STILL EXPEREINCING A PROBLEM WITH TRUCK IF NOT IN GEAR. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN SLAMMING THE DOOR CLOSE OR ANY TYPE OF VIBRATION CAUSES THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE. THE WHOLE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. OWNER STILL EXPEREINCING A PROBLEM WITH TRUCK IF NOT IN GEAR. *AK

ENGINE FAN HITS THE RADIATOR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SMOKE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY CONSUMER HIT A PATCH OF ICE ,SLID AND HIT THE HIGHWAY SLIDING. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY , HOWEVER DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. *AK

INSIDE FRONT BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY WORN OUT, CAUSING VIBRATION UPON BRAKING.

SPEEDOMETER CABLE FAILED.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. WHILE DRIVING SMOKING STARTED COMING THROUGH VENTS INSIDE VEHICLE, HEARD POPPING NOISE. VEHICLE WITH DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

BRAKE PADS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.

BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.

BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.

PROPORTIONAL VALVE REPLACED.

PASSIVE RESTRAINTS, AIR BAGS: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN VEHICLE CAME TO AN INTERSECTION , OTHER VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND WAS HIT HEAD-ON. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND HE SAID THAT SOMETIMES IT'S BEST IF AIRBAGS DON'T DEPLOY . DEALER WOULD NOT PERFORM ...

CIGARETTE LIGHTER INOPERATIVE.

PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS UP.

THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS GOES UP SLOWLY DUE TO INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE TRACK AND MISALIGNMENT.

THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES GRIND WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED.

THE ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING.

BELTS IN THE ENGINE SQUEAK WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED IN THE MORNING.

THE VEHICLE IS GENERATING A LOT OF ELECTRICAL STATIC. WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE A SPARLK FLEW UP AND ALMOST IGNITED THE GASOLINE. *AK

DRIVING ALONG VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING AND HEARD A NOISE, LOST CONTROL AND LANDED IN SOMEONE'S YARD. THE TIE ROD END SNAPPED IN HALF, VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE, HAD TO BE TOWED IN. *AK

THE REAR SEAT BELT LOCKING CLIP BROKE, WHEN TRYING TO SECURE THE CSS IT WILL NOT LOCK THE CHILD IN BECAUSE OF THE BROKEN SEAT BELT IN THE REAR. *AK

FAN BRACKET BROKE OFF ENGINE, MAKING COOLANT FAN INOPERATIVE.

MADE A RIGHT TURN GOING STRIAGHT ON THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STARTED VEERING INTO THE LEFT LANE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. THERE WAS NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS MOVING FREELY. *AK

WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE THE WHEELS LOCKS UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN TRAFFIC. *AK

VEHICLE LEAKS EXHAUST INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK

ON FIVE OCCASIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TRUCK DIDN'T STOP . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

WHEN FOLDED REAR TWO SEAT, BRACKET STRAP HOOK IS NOT SECURE, SLIPS OUT FROM BRACET; SLAMS FORWARD WHILE DRIVING; HAPPENS DURING VEHICLE VIBRATION.

WHEN FOLDED REAR TWO SEAT, BRACKET STRAP HOOK IS NOT SECURE, SLIPS OUT FROM BRACET; SLAMS FORWARD WHILE DRIVING; HAPPENS DURING VEHICLE VIBRATION.