1998 Suzuki Esteem Recalls, Complaints & Specs
No safety recalls list the 1998 Suzuki Esteem, and owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
No safety recalls on record
NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 1998 Suzuki Esteem. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.
24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1998 Suzuki Esteem have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA; 7 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 4 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 96,904 miles. Complaints peaked in 1998 with 5 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Air bags lights went on yesterday, i never had any accident. Seat bet gets stocks. Suzuki esteem 1998.[xxx] VIN # information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 4, 2019 · Air bags
“Was driving on the highway , slowed down to take a right turn onto side road....there was a terrible grinding noise and immediate pull of car to right...had to fight to keep control of car...was hard”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 6, 2014 · Suspension
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1998 Suzuki Esteem (Esteem Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 26–29 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 23–26 / 30–33 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Small Station Wagons, Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Suzuki Esteem model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Suzuki Esteem model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 Suzuki Esteem | 0 | 13 |
| 1996 Suzuki Esteem | 0 | 5 |
| 1997 Suzuki Esteem | 0 | 7 |
| 1998 Suzuki Esteem | 0 | 24 |
| 1999 Suzuki Esteem | 0 | 20 |
| 2000 Suzuki Esteem | 0 | 26 |
| 2001 Suzuki Esteem | 0 | 21 |
| 2002 Suzuki Esteem | 1 | 5 |
Checking a specific 1998 Suzuki Esteem
How do I know if my 1998 Suzuki Esteem has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Suzuki dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Suzuki models
- Forenza907 complaints
- Grand Vitara639 complaints
- SX4312 complaints
- Sidekick221 complaints
- XL7217 complaints
- Verona216 complaints
- Reno173 complaints
- XL-7163 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.