The 2002 Suzuki Esteem has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 5,319 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
VISIBILITY03V2230002003-06-165,319 affected
Defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER (111 MY 2002 ESTEEM, 777 MY 2002 AERIO, 2,368 MY 2003 AERIO) AND SPORT UTILITY (324 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA, 274 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA, 684 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA XL-7, AND 781 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7) VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212,…
Consequence
IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF UNBELTED OCCUPANTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PAINT ADHESION WILL EITHER HAVE THE PROBLEM REMEDIED BY REPAINTING, OR WILL BE REPLACED, OR REPURCHASED AND DESTROYED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2
WHEELS
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
1
STEERING
1
1crashes
TIRES
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 suzuki esteem. The contact occasionally heard a loud noise from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the shielding needed to be replaced around the muffler. The vehicle was repaired however,the failure recurred.…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 suzuki esteem. The contact occasionally heard a loud noise from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the shielding needed to be replaced around the muffler. The vehicle was repaired however,the failure recurred.…”
“Sole owner 2002 suzuki esteem wagon with rotted k-frame and rusted wheels. Suzuki will only cover k-frame part and dealer wants $390. For labor. Are there other suzuki vehicles with reported rotted k-frames?. I've owned this vehicle since april 2002. This vehicle will not pass state inspection due…”
“Sole owner 2002 suzuki esteem wagon with rotted k-frame and rusted wheels. Suzuki will only cover k-frame part and dealer wants $390. For labor. Are there other suzuki vehicles with reported rotted k-frames?. I've owned this vehicle since april 2002. This vehicle will not pass state inspection due…”
“Original tire on suzuki, esteem 2002, p18560r14 dot elbodeh340. While traveling at 10 mph on slightlty wet pavement consumer was making a right turn when vehicle began to skid. Vehicle felt like it was going to tip over. Consumer feels there is a defect in tires. *ak *jg”
“While traveling another vehicle crossed into consumer's vehicle's lane and hit it. Steering wheel had played into wheel, enabling him to steer.*ak”
“Check engine light has come on 6 times and there is no computer code. Gas gauge is inaccurate. *jb *nlm *****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****768037 *ts”
“Check engine light has come on 6 times and there is no computer code. Gas gauge is inaccurate. *jb *nlm *****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****768037 *ts”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Suzuki Esteem as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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