How many recalls does the 1988 Suzuki Samurai have?

The 1988 Suzuki Samurai has 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign on record.

How do I check if my 1988 Suzuki Samurai has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1988 Suzuki Samurai?

Of 21 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is seat belts.

1988 Suzuki Samurai Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1988 Suzuki Samurai has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 127,155 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SEAT BELTS 95V103008 1995-05-24 127,155 affected

Defect

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS…

Complaints by component

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

STEERING

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Total complaints21

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Bridgestone, p205/70r15, dot unknown, replacement tire, milage unknown on a 1988, suzuki, samurai. While driving 55 mph heard a noise. Then, vehicle started to fishtail, spun around 180 degrees and hit a tree. Damage to vehicle unknown. No injuries. Rear driver's side tire had tread separation, a…”

TIRES:TREAD/BELT · reported 2001-07-12

“Tread seperated (tiresize: p205/75r15)( dot number: tire size: p205/75r15 )”

TIRES:TREAD/BELT · reported 2000-10-02

“The driver's side seatbelt retractor will not retract the belt, and will not restrain the driver in case of a vehicle collision. *ak”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · reported 1997-08-04

“Transmission gear shift retaining bolt snapped off twice. *ak”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) · reported 1997-06-01

“Recall #95v103 seat belt buckle: received notice in oct. Of 96 called to take vehicle in and was told they were too busy. Made an appointment in november 1996 and was told it would be three to four days before they could get to it. Vehicle still has not been repaired. *ak”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · reported 1996-10-23

“Seat belt retractors have failed, rear seat belts do not come out of housing, *ak”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · reported 1996-03-26

“Passenger side seat belt buckle will not release. *dsh”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · reported 1995-11-01

“Front seat belt latch broke. *dsh”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · reported 1995-10-01

Defect investigations

Investigation DP88011 Opened 1988-02-25 · closed 1988-09-01

ROLLOVER

Investigation DP88019 Opened 1988-08-02 · closed 1988-09-01

VEHICLE STABILITY

Investigation EA95006 Opened 1995-03-10 · closed 1995-08-02

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Suzuki Samurai as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.