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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2002

Suzuki Esteem recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 121 owner complaints for the Suzuki Esteem, covering model years 1995 to 2002. The 2000 model year drew the most complaints (26), and Structure is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Suzuki Esteem VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 1 recall campaign on file
  • 121 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 8 model years with data (1995–2002)
  • most complaints: 2000 (26 for that model year)
  • top component: Structure (35 complaints)
  • latest recall 03V223000 (reported Jun 16, 2003)
  • 18 complaints reporting a crash (14.9%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a fire (0.8%)
  • 7 complaints reporting an injury (5.8%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Suzuki Esteem complaints by model year

8 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2000 model year has the most complaints: 26 of 121, or 21.5%. Next come 1998 (24) and 2001 (21). The fewest are for 2002, with 5 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Suzuki Esteem owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2002Column chart of 121 complaints across 8 model years. The highest is 2000 with 26. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 13 complaints1319951996: 5 complaints519961997: 7 complaints719971998: 24 complaints2419981999: 20 complaints2019992000: 26 complaints2620002001: 21 complaints2120012002: 5 complaints52002
Suzuki Esteem complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Suzuki Esteem complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
1995131010
199651000
199770010
1998247130
1999204000
2000263010
2001211010
200251000
All model years12118170

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Suzuki Esteem components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Structure is the component named most often, in 35 complaints (28.9% of all 121), followed by Suspension (26) and Service Brakes, Hydraulic (18).

Components named most often in Suzuki Esteem complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Suzuki Esteem complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Structure3528.9%
Suspension2621.5%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1814.9%
Engine and Engine Cooling1512.4%
Air Bags129.9%
Power Train97.4%
Electrical System75.8%
Steering75.8%
Tires75.8%
Seat Belts65.0%
Exterior Lighting43.3%
Fuel System, Gasoline43.3%
Wheels43.3%
Equipment32.5%
Latches/Locks/Linkages32.5%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Suzuki Esteem recalls

1 campaign · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Esteem, newest first. The only campaign, 03V223000, covers model year 2002.

  • 1 recall campaign
Suzuki Esteem recall campaigns covering each model year
2002: 1 campaign

  1. NHTSA campaign 03V223000

    Reported

    Visibility › Windshield

    Model year 2002

    Certain passenger (111 MY 2002 esteem, 777 MY 2002 aerio, 2,368 MY 2003 aerio) and sport utility (324 MY 2002 grand vitara, 274 MY 2003 grand vitara, 684 MY 2002 grand vitara XL-7, and 781 MY 2003 grand vitara XL-7) vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 212, 'windshield mounting." The windshield may not be properly secured to the vehicle body due to insufficient adhesion between the paint applied during the second-stage painting process and the paint applied during final-stage painting.

    Consequence:
    If the windshield is not properly secured, it may separate from the vehicle during a crash which could result in the ejection of unbelted occupants, increasing the risk of severe injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect these vehicles. Vehicles that are found to have insufficient paint adhesion will either have the problem remedied by repainting, or will be replaced, or repurchased and destroyed. Owner notification began on July 8, 2003. Owners should contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Suzuki Esteem questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Suzuki Esteem have?

NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall campaign for the Suzuki Esteem, covering model years 1995 to 2002. The campaign, 03V223000, was reported on June 16, 2003 and is filed under “Visibility”.

Which Suzuki Esteem model year has the most complaints?

The 2000 model year, with 26 of the 121 complaints in NHTSA’s file (21.5%). The next are 1998 (24) and 2001 (21). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Suzuki Esteem complaint?

Structure is the component named most often: 35 complaints, or 28.9% of all 121. Suspension (26) and Service Brakes, Hydraulic (18) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Suzuki Esteem?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Suzuki dealer.

How many Suzuki Esteem complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 121 complaints, 18 report a crash, 1 a fire, 7 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Suzuki models

8 models · most complaints first

The Suzuki models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Suzuki VIN decoder with every Suzuki model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Suzuki models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.