The 1989 Suzuki Sidekick has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 127,155 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030081995-05-24127,155 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
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
1
Total complaints15
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1989 suzuki sidekick. The contact noticed that the check engine light was constantly illuminated on the instrument panel. On two occasions, he took the vehicle to the dealer and paid $100 to have the light turned off. There is a switch in the circuit that he cannot locate,…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1989 suzuki sidekick. The contact noticed that the check engine light was constantly illuminated on the instrument panel. On two occasions, he took the vehicle to the dealer and paid $100 to have the light turned off. There is a switch in the circuit that he cannot locate,…”
“Front passenger shoulder/lap belt exploded into bunch of little pieces, now inoperative, happened as release button was depressed. *ak”
“Exhaust leak, consumer reported burned rear passenger seat area while driving, caused by leak from the tail pipe pe91-1260. *ak”
“Ft passenger side seat belt buckle broke, replaced, replacement broke also. Tt”
“Drivers side seatbelt does not unlock. Please explain. Tt”
“Seat belt buckle will not latch will pop out while driving. Tt”
“Fuel injector electrical relay burned. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA95006 Opened 1995-03-10 · closed 1995-08-02
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE90008 Opened 1989-10-19 · closed 1990-04-30
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.