1996 Suzuki Sidekick Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick, and owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Suspension
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Insufficient strength of the mounting base on the upper end of the front struts can lead to breakage of the mounting bolts that attach the upper end of the front struts to the vehicle body.
Remedy: Dealers will add a reinforcement, for both front struts, between the front strut mounting base and the vehicle body. In addition, the front strut mounting bases, mounting bolts and nuts, and strut bar stays will be…
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Tank assembly (fuel system)
The fuel tank on these vehicles can become punctured by a fuel tank flange attachment reinforcement during rear-end collisions. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 301, "fuel tank integrity."
Remedy: Dealers will install two new shield gussets between the fuel tank and attachment brackets to prevent the reinforcement from puncturing the fuel tank wall.
59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 2 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 76,421 miles. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 12 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 t”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 20, 2007 · Power train
“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 si”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 12, 2007 · Air bags
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick (Sidekick 2Door 2WD, Sidekick 2Door 4WD, Sidekick 4Door 2WD, Sidekick 4Door 4WD, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 20–22 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 19–21 / 22–24 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Special Purpose Vehicles |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.6/1.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Suzuki Sidekick model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Suzuki Sidekick model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 Suzuki Sidekick | 0 | 1 |
| 1989 Suzuki Sidekick | 1 | 7 |
| 1990 Suzuki Sidekick | 1 | 5 |
| 1991 Suzuki Sidekick | 1 | 14 |
| 1992 Suzuki Sidekick | 0 | 10 |
| 1993 Suzuki Sidekick | 1 | 14 |
| 1994 Suzuki Sidekick | 1 | 21 |
| 1995 Suzuki Sidekick | 0 | 26 |
| 1996 Suzuki Sidekick | 2 | 59 |
| 1997 Suzuki Sidekick | 1 | 36 |
| 1998 Suzuki Sidekick | 0 | 27 |
| 2000 Suzuki Sidekick | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1996 Suzuki Sidekick
How do I know if my 1996 Suzuki Sidekick 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. 2 campaigns currently list the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
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 (for example 00V008000).
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
- XL7217 complaints
- Verona216 complaints
- Reno173 complaints
- XL-7163 complaints
- VZR1800146 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.