Suzuki Esteem Complaints

121 consumer complaints on file.

#10213950January 3, 2008
TIRES
1998 SUZUKI ESTEEM LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL. *KB THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED. OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT # 10-90-0789. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10197287July 23, 2007
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM HOME FROM UPTOWN WITH MY SISTER AND 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WHEN A NOISE WHICH WAS FAINT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS GREW QUICKLY LOUDER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT, PRACTICALLY OUT OF MY HANDS. I GRASPED THE STEERING WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD JUST TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. I WAS ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 20-25 MPH. I FOUGHT THE DIFFICULT STEERING LONG ENOUGH AT A VERY SLOW SPEED TO GET THE CAR TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE. I PARKED THE CAR THERE AND CALLED MY HUSBAND AT WORK TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND TO COME PICK ME UP. AS I EXITED THE CAR, I NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER'S) WHEEL WAS SHOVED CLEAR BACK ALMOST INTO THE BACK OF THE FENDER WELL. WHEN MY HUSBAND AND A COLLEAGUE OF HIS FROM WORK STOPPED BY LATER, THEY CRAWLED UNDER THE VEHICLE TO ASSESS WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. TO HIS ASTONISHMENT, THE FRONT FRAME SECTION OF THE CAR HAD RUSTED THROUGH ENOUGH TO CRACK AND CRUMPLE BACKWARDS FAR ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE WHEEL TO MOVE INTO THE FENDER WELL. HE SAID THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 55-60 MPH, BECAUSE THE SPEED COULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO THROW THE TIRE BACK INTO THE FENDER WELL HARD ENOUGH TO LOCK THE ONE FRONT TIRE, CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL, SPIN SIDEWAYS AND POSSIBLY FLIP OVER, KILLING ALL THREE OF US. IT WAS ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT WE WERE TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED IN A REMOTE AREA WHERE NO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND TO INTERACT WITH AT THE TIME. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT MY SISTER'S HOUSE AWAITING A DECISION ON WHAT TO DO WITH IT. A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD CAR WITH AN AVERAGE OF LESS THAN 12,000 MILES PER YEAR ON IT SHOULD NOT HAVE A FRAME RUSTED THROUGH LONG BEFORE THE BODY SHOWS ANY SIGNS OF SIGNIFICANT RUST. I JUST HAD A FULL BRAKE JOB DONE ON THE VEHICLE AND THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THEM STILL. SUZUKI SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO INSTALL A STURDIER FRAME IN THE FRONT SECTION, BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187453April 10, 2007
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, WHEELS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUZUKI ESTEEM. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND PRODUCED A RUBBING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ARRIVING AT THE MECHANIC SHOP THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COLLAPSED. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS THE AIR CONDITIONER LEAKING AND MAY HAVE RUSTED THROUGH THE VEHICLE'S FRAME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 130,000.*AK THE CONSUMER HAS INCLUDED PICTURES OF THE FRAME DAMAGES. UPDATE 5/3/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147496January 11, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT
CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 45 MPH; BRAKES WERE APPLIED HARD; SUBFRAME (PART THAT ALL BALL JOINTS AND SUSPENSION ARMS BOLTS INTO) COLLAPSED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE CAUSING WHEEL TO BECOME UNSTABLE AND SEVERELY OUT OF ALIGNMENT. (WHEN MEASURED, THE PASSENGER WHEEL WAS +/-1-1/2" CLOSER TO THE REAR OF INNER FENDER, AND WOULD GRIND ONTO THE INNER FENDER. THE PART WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW REPLACEMENT PART. THE OLD PART WAS RUSTED THROUGH AT SEVERAL POINTS. THE OLD PART IS IN MY POSSESSION AND PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147581January 9, 2006
STRUCTURE
2001 SUZUKI ESTEEM LOST THE FRONT GRILL. *TS *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141354October 31, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
NOTICED TICKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TOOK IT TO GET OIL CHANGED AND STATE INSPECTED NO PROBLEM FOUND. 3 WEEKS LATER TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE MAY HAVE OCCURRED. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 46000 MILES. PRIOR TO HEARING TICKING NOISE CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECT. TIMING CHAIN REPAIR $1000. IF THEY FIND ENGINE DAMAGE $3400.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133020August 16, 2005
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I OWN A 1999 SUZUKI ESTEEM, 55,000 MILES, CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE. MY SUB FRAME RUSTED IN HALF AND BROKE. THE AAA PERSON THAT TOWED THE CAR, 2 MECHANICS, AND EVERY MALE I HAVE TOLD ARE APPALLED THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED. MY MECHANIC CALLED FRED MARTINS SUZUKI, WHERE IS WAS PURCHASED, AND SPOKE TO THE MECHANIC THERE. HE WAS TOLD 3 SUBFRAMES HAD BEEN FIXED DURING THE MONTH OF JULY, BUT NO RECALL WAS MADE. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE STRONGEST PARTS OF THE CAR. FRED MARTIN SUZUKI HAS INFORMED ME THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE , AFTER ALL THE CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD, NOT UNDER WARRANTY, ETC. DO I HAVE A LEGITIMATE COMPLAINT, SEEING AS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT HAD IT BROKEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. IS THIS SOMETHING TO BE EXPECTED OF A SIX YEAR OLD CAR? THE CAR WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,100. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR, BUT HAVEN'T THE OPTION OF BUYING A NEW ONE AT THIS TIME. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117984April 16, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
PURCHASED A NEW SUZUKI ESTEEM IN 2001. ABOUT 30000 MILES THE KEY BEAGN TO STICK IN THE IGNITION AND YOU COULD NOT TAKE IT OUT. ONCE YOU TURNED THE CAR ON, YOU COULD NOT MOVE INTO PARK. HAVE HAD IT "FIXED" 3 TIMES NOW. THERE IS A LITTLE WHITE BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF STEERING WHEEL THAT ONCE PUSHED WILL RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE LOCKED POSITION BUT IN ORDER TO GET TO IT YOU MUST TAKE OFF THE COVER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111982February 22, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, WHEELS, TIRES
BRAKES LOCKING UP AT HIGH SPEEDS,EPLACED MASTER CYLINDER,REPLACED CV AXLE AND BOOT,ENT OBJECT REPORTED,RUNK LEAKS AND WATER WHERE SPARE SITS,REPLACED CATALYIC CONVERTER,END RIMS WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC CAR WAS WRECKED BEFORE PURCHASED . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107078January 10, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE LATCH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS BROKEN AND OWNER IS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. OWNER HAS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR BY USING THE REAR DOOR. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097388October 26, 2004
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, SEATS, SEAT BELTS
RE: 1-131916218, 1998 SUZUKI ESTEEM CLUTCH FAILED. *BF SEAT BELT LOOSENING WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER'S SEAT COVER AND DOOR PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HESTIATION ON ACCELERATION. CLUTCH FAILED PREMATURELY. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096642October 12, 2004
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER, SEAT BELTS:INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE CHILD CAME OUT OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT, ALTHOUGH THE CHILD WAS PROPERLY RESTRAINED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079368June 16, 2004
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN RIGHT TURN POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO COLLIDE INTO AN EMBANKMENT, HITTING A TREE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068139May 1, 2004
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
AFTER 31,000 MILES, 4 GOODYEAR AQUATREAD TIRES DEVELOPED FEATHERED TREAD BLOCKS ON ALL 4 TIRES. THIS RESULTED IN ROAD NOISE FROM THE TIRES THAT WAS SIMILAR TO THAT OF ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS FAILING SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD THAT NORMAL CONVERSATION IN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT POSSIBLE AND ANY EMERGENCY SIGNALS SUCH AS SIRENS OR HORNS COULD NOT BE HEARD. I BELIEVE THAT PROLONGED EXPOSURE WOULD HAVE LEAD TO HEARING LOSS. THE DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED COULD FIND NO EXCUSE FOR THE TIRES DOING THIS SO HE REFUSED TO HONOR THE TIRES WARRANTY BASED ON MY NOT HAVING HIM ROTATE THE TIRES ON SCHEDULE. EVEN THOUGH I INFORMED HIM THAT I HAD ROTATED THE TIRES MYSELF AND THAT I HAD FOUND MANY POSTINGS ON INTERNET SITES DETAILING THE EXACT OR SIMILAR FAILURE ON THESE SPECIFIC TIRES. I SENT A EMAIL MESSAGE TO GOODYEAR CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEIR REPLY WAS THAT THERE WAS LITTLE THEY COULD DO TO CONTROL WHAT THEIR DEALERS DO. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE TIRES AT ANOTHER DEALER AT MY EXPENSE. IT SEEMS THAT THE ONLY WARRANTY GOODYEAR HONORS OR THE ONLY DEFECTS THEY ARE INTERESTED IN CORRECTING ARE ONES THE JUDGE SAYS FIX.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10061965March 11, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
I HAVE A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM. BOTH DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN. THE FIRST BROKE ABOUT A MONTH AGO. NOW A MONTH LATER, THE OTHER HAS BROKEN. I CANNOT LOCK MY CARE AND MAY ONLY ENTER FROM THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, HERE IN BATON ROUGE. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE BECAUSE I FELT THAT THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THAT, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE DOOR HANDLES IN LOTS OF SUZUKI ESTEEMS, THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE $58.00 PER DOOR HANDLE AND $70.00 PER DOOR FOR LABOR. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I KNOW MANY OTHERS WHOSE CARS ARE LOTS OLDER THAN MINE. THEIR DOOR HANDLES HAVE NOT BROKEN. THIS PROBLEM HAS ARISEN FROM A REASONABLY ANTICIPATED USE OF THE PRODUCT AND I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS HAD TO BE REPEATEDLY ADDRESSED IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR (AS I WAS INFORMED BY THE SUZUKI SERVICEMAN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042806December 10, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE MAKE A TICKING NOISE AS IF IT NEEDED OIL, BUT IT DIDN'T. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY INDICATED THAT THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY AN INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM. *AK *CB *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10045330November 3, 2003
EQUIPMENT, AIR BAGS, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE POWER WINDOWS ARE VERY SLOW GOING UP AND DOWN. FIRST STARTED ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BUT IS NOW ALL WINDOWS. HAD IT INTO SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY JUST GREASED THEM AND THEY WORK BETTER FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. ALSO, AIRBAG NEVER OPENED DURING COLLISION A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, BUT THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT SLIGHTLY OPENED UP ON ONE SIDE AND THE COVER IS SLIGHTLY RAISED ON ONE SIDE. *LA
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042919October 14, 2003
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1999, SUZUKI, ESTEEM WAGON TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 33,000 MILES 05-09-2002, SUZUKI REPAIRED IT FREE OF CHARGE, EVEN THOUGH WARRANTY EXPIRED 2 MONTHS EARLIER. CURRENTLY, AT 48,000 MILES IT HAS STARTED MAKING THE SAME NOISES AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS PARKED TO AVOID FURTHER DAMAGE. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO CONSUMER THAT THE FIRST TIME IT DID THIS WAS BECAUSE INTERNAL TRANSMISSION BROKE OFF INSIDE HOLDING PLATE, CAUSING GEARS AND BEARINGS TO MALFUNCTION DUE TO DEBRIS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015114April 3, 2003
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *JB THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER CALLED ON FOUR OCCASIONS WITH NO SUCCESS. THE (EMISSIONS) RECALL WASN'T HONORED BY THE DEALER. SCC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10007050October 2, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON 6 TIMES AND THERE IS NO COMPUTER CODE. GAS GAUGE IS INACCURATE. *JB *NLM *****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****768037 *TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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