Problems · NHTSA complaints
2001 Suzuki Esteem problems
Owners filed 21 complaints about the 2001 Suzuki Esteem with NHTSA between Mar 2001 and Aug 2015. The most-cited component is structure (10).
Complaints
21
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Structure10
- Suspension5
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Electrical system2
- Steering1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Tires1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
1
1
1
2
1
0
1
2
2
3
1
0
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Structure
10 reports
“HUSBAND WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN THE FRONT TIRE GAVE WAY AND BENT IN FROM FRAME. TOOK TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AS THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CAR ONLY HAD 129,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. FORTUNATELY, NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. SHAME ON SUZUKI FOR PRODUCING INFERIOR CARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFELY ISSUE! *TR”
Suspension
5 reports
“I WAS DRIVING ONTO AN EXIT AT 45 MILES PER HOUR AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD POPPING NOISE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED OVER. THERE WAS NO MORE STEERING.”
Engine and engine cooling
3 reports
“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”
Electrical system
2 reports
“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”
Steering
1 report1 crash
“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”
Service brakes, hydraulic
1 report
“WHILE ENTERING A RAMP CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO SLOWDOWN AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. CONSUMER HAD TO RUN CAR UP ON CONCRETE TO STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT BRAKES FELT SMUSHY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.