The 1997 Suzuki Sidekick has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 13,461 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION00V0080002000-01-2013,461 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
IF THE STRUT BROKE LOOSE, A DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 REPLACED.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION
5
2injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
4
1crashes1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3
2crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
3
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
3
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
2
1crashes1injuries
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
2
Total complaints52
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“While driving and without warning front and rear passenger side tires separated. *cb *nlm”
“The clutch pedal attachment clip in the passenger compartment spot weld broke allowing the pedal to detach from the linkage. When the owner entered the truck the pedal was already detached. Please describe details ts”
“Nhtsa id# 00v-008-000 manufacture id #w2 the dealership is refusing to service the recall because the computer reading shows that the front struts where already serviced on april 13, 2000. The consumer debates the print from the manufacturer. Nlm”
“While traveling on highway, there is a knocking noise underneath vehicle. Dealership is aware of problem.*ak consumer states front of car started to shake causing loose steering, causing an accident where two people were injured. *yd”
“While traveling on highway, there is a knocking noise underneath vehicle. Dealership is aware of problem.*ak consumer states front of car started to shake causing loose steering, causing an accident where two people were injured. *yd”
“The vehicle struts broke while driving, the consumer never received recall notice 00v-008 relating to the strut rod. Nlm”
“Purchased this sidekick july 24, 2001. Within days the " engine soon" light came on and stayed on. Due to a 30 day 1000 mile extended warranty I took the sidekick to the ford dealership purchased at. The sidekick was taken to the suzuki dealership for evaluation. It was determined that the…”
“Purchased this sidekick july 24, 2001. Within days the " engine soon" light came on and stayed on. Due to a 30 day 1000 mile extended warranty I took the sidekick to the ford dealership purchased at. The sidekick was taken to the suzuki dealership for evaluation. It was determined that the…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.