The 1994 Suzuki Sidekick has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 5,247 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION94V0730021994-04-165,247 affected
Defect
THE RIGHT REAR AND LEFT AXLE SHAFT HOUSING TUBES WERE INCORRECTLY WELDED AND CAN FRACTURE. FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE SHAFT HOUSING CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE LINE.
Consequence
SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE LINE RESULTS IN LOSS OF ONE-HALF OFTHE BRAKING SYSTEM, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE. IN EITHER CASE, AN ACCIDENTCAN OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS OF THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES ON INVOLVED VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE COMPLETE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2
POWER TRAIN
2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2
1crashes1injuries
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2
1crashes
TIRES
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
1fires
Total complaints32
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Consumer heard a creaking noise while driving, during inspection of vehicle the dealer noticed that the undercarriage has disconnected from the frame in the front of the vehicle, all the welds came apart. Nlm”
“Vehicle started to catch on fire while consumer was driving, fire began on the left side of vehicle. Contacted dealer.*ak”
“While drivin gon highway car lost control. Car would not steer or brake going across the road. Then it slowed down and stopped. Took to dealer and they said that brake housing differential cracked. *ak”
“The driver lost control of the vehicle by oversteering, the vehicle had veered off of the roadway and the driver turned the vehicle sharply to the right, which caused it to roll over approximately 5 times, 3 out of four occupants had been thrown from the vehicle, there were 2 severe injuries and 1…”
“When driving heard a humble noise, and noticed that the speedometer jumped. Consumer can't determine how fast they are traveling. Now the entire needle is off the speedometer and is lying on the dashboard. *ak *ml”
“Plastic portion or the rear door latch keeps melting within days of being installed. No obvious reason for failure. Door will not stay latched. *ak”
“Dealer is unable to correct vehicle emission problem; vehicle gives off fuel vapor into vehicle while driving. *ak”
“Spring in rear door latch seperated from other parts causing latch to fail.”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1994 Suzuki Sidekick as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.