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Research · Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD

1998 Suzuki Sidekick SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport. Most complaints involve power train (1) and steering (1). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
3
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport as of Nov 13, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 13, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2000 – Dec 2003
  1. Power train1
  2. Steering1
  3. 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 Sidekick Sport model year we’ve synced.

Only one model year synced so far.

Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

1 report
“THE BRACKET WHICH THE CLUTCH FOOT PEDAL AND THE ARM WHICH THE MAIN CLUTCH VALVE ACTUATOR IS DRIVEN BY HAS A METAL FATIGUE WHICH MAKES THE CLUTCH INOPERATIVE. COULD LEAD TO A ACCIDENT OR OTHER PROBLEMS.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 5, 2003Power trainODI 10049239

Steering

1 report
“IDLER PULLEY WAS REPLACED. *SLC”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 9, 2000SteeringODI 557269

Tires

1 report
“ORIGINAL TIRES ON A 1998 SUZUKI SIDEKICK SPORT, P215/65R16 DOT AP2HJEUUO58. RIGHT REAR TIRE CAME APART, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE EXHAUST. THEN, CONSUMER HEARD A THUMP THUMP NOISE LIKE TIRE WAS COMING APART.*AK THE TIRE CAME APART AT THE SEAMS WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE TREAD SEPARATION. *YH”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2000TiresODI 871256
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD, Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Rear-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 13, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sidekick Sport 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202321$2,850423
Sidekick Sport RWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202321$2,850423
Sidekick Sport 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192220$3,000444
Sidekick Sport RWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192220$3,000444
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport as of Nov 13, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 13, 2026
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

1998 Sidekick Sport questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 13, 2026.

What are the most common 1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport problems?

Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (1), steering (1), tires (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 13, 2026