Suzuki Esteem Problems by Year
NHTSA has 121 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file for the Suzuki Esteem, across 8 model years (1995–2002). The 2000 model year has the most complaints (26). The most reported problem area overall is structure.
Suzuki Esteem years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Esteem year: 2000. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2000 Esteem: 26 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1998 Esteem: 24 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 Esteem: 21 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1996 Esteem: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2002 Esteem: 5 complaints, 1 recall
- 1997 Esteem: 7 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Suzuki Esteem problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 35 | 7 | 2 |
| Suspension | 26 | 6 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 18 | 7 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 15 | 6 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 12 | 5 | 10 |
| Power Train | 9 | 6 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 6 | 2 |
| Tires | 7 | 6 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All Suzuki Esteem model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Esteem | 5 | 1 | — | Structure | |
| 2001 Esteem | 21 | 0 | — | Structure | More complaints than other years |
| 2000 Esteem | 26 | 0 | — | Structure | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 Esteem | 20 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
| 1998 Esteem | 24 | 0 | — | Structure | More complaints than other years |
| 1997 Esteem | 7 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1996 Esteem | 5 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1995 Esteem | 13 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Fewer complaints than other years |
More from Suzuki: all Suzuki models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Suzuki Esteem years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2000 (26) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Esteem year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Suzuki Esteem?
Structure, with 35 complaints across 7 model years.
How many recalls does the Suzuki Esteem have?
1 safety recall across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.