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Research · Subcompact Cars

2002 Suzuki EsteemRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 11 owner complaints for the 2002 Suzuki Esteem. Most complaints involve structure (2) and wheels (2). The EPA rates it 25–27 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–27mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jun 2003
Owner complaints
11
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

11 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2002 – May 2014
  1. Structure2
  2. Wheels2
  3. Fuel system, gasoline2
  4. Engine and engine cooling2
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Power train1
  8. Fuel system, other1
  9. Tires1

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

By model year

Complaints for each Esteem model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19965
19977
199824
199920
200026
200121
200211
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI ESTEEM. THE CONTACT OCCASIONALLY HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIELDING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AROUND THE MUFFLER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER,THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE RIGHT AXLE SHAFT WAS BROKEN ON THE SUBFRAME WHICH WAS CORRODED WITH EXTENSIVE RUST IN ADDITION TO THE ENGINE CRADLE CROSS MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 20, 2014Structure, WheelsODI 10592781

Wheels

2 reports
“SOLE OWNER 2002 SUZUKI ESTEEM WAGON WITH ROTTED K-FRAME AND RUSTED WHEELS. SUZUKI WILL ONLY COVER K-FRAME PART AND DEALER WANTS $390. FOR LABOR. ARE THERE OTHER SUZUKI VEHICLES WITH REPORTED ROTTED K-FRAMES?. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 2002. THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO ROTTED FRAME. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2008Structure, WheelsODI 10251398

Fuel system, gasoline

2 reports1 fire
“WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND MOTORCYCLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2004Fuel system, gasolineFire reportedODI 10089100
All 2002 Esteem problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Esteem
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243227$2,300329
Esteem
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243126$2,400342
Esteem
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233026$2,400342
Esteem Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233026$2,400342
Esteem Wagon
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243126$2,400342
Esteem Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233025$2,500355
  • Esteem
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    24 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Esteem
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    24 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Esteem
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    23 city · 30 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Esteem Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    23 city · 30 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Esteem Wagon
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    24 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Esteem Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    23 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Suzuki Esteem as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 4615
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Esteem questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Suzuki Esteem have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Suzuki Esteem problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (2), wheels (2), fuel system, gasoline (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Suzuki Esteem get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Suzuki Esteem at 25–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026