Research · 7 model years

Suzuki EsteemEvery model year, 1996–2002

Across the 7 model years we’ve synced, NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 114 owner complaints for the Suzuki Esteem. The 2000 model year has the most complaints (26).

01 —Model years

Suzuki Esteem years compared

Recalls, complaints, NCAP overall and EPA combined MPG per year

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	NCAP overall	MPG comb.
2002	1	11	1	Not rated	26
2001	0	21	1	Not rated	26
2000	0	26	3	Not rated	26
1999	0	20	4	Not rated	26
1998	0	24	7	Not rated	27
1997	0	7	0	Not rated	28
1996	0	5	1	Not rated	28

Data from NHTSA recalls, complaints & NCAP; EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026

02 —Complaints by year

NHTSA complaints per model year

Newer years have had less time on the road

View as table

Model year	NHTSA complaints
1996	5
1997	7
1998	24
1999	20
2000	26
2001	21
2002	11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Esteem years with the most complaints

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026

03 —Recent recalls

Latest recalls for the 2002 Esteem

1 campaign

03V-223

Visibility: windshield

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Jun 16, 2003NHTSA 03V223000

All 2002 recalls

Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

All Suzuki models Latest Suzuki recalls Decode a Suzuki VIN