1996 Suzuki Sidekick
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Suzuki Sidekick is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.
1996 Suzuki Sidekick at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1996 Suzuki Sidekick recalls 2
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING BASE ON THE UPPER END OF THE FRONT STRUTS CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE UPPER END OF THE FRONT STRUTS TO THE VEHICLE BODY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT, FOR BOTH FRONT STRUTS, BETWEEN THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING BASE AND THE VEHICLE BODY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING BASES, MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUTS, AND STRUT BAR STAYS WILL BE REPLACED.
THE FUEL TANK ON THESE VEHICLES CAN BECOME PUNCTURED BY A FUEL TANK FLANGE ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT DURING REAR-END COLLISIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL TANK INTEGRITY."
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW SHIELD GUSSETS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND ATTACHMENT BRACKETS TO PREVENT THE REINFORCEMENT FROM PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK WALL.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1996 Suzuki Sidekick common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1996 Suzuki Sidekick safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick 2-DR. 4x4. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1996 Suzuki Sidekick MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 10 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1996 Suzuki Sidekick costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 6
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming s…
Bulletin N-Q-G-045 · Suspension, Equipment · Nov 2018ON SOME VEHICLES, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) MAY ILLUMINATE AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) ARE STORED THAT ARE EITHER NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SPECIFICATIONS OR CONSIST OF RANDOM NUMBERS UNRELATED TO ANY SYSTEM OR COMPONENT. *TT
Bulletin SW02B · Dec 2000THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE REVISED CLAIMS SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR REPLACEMENT BATTERIES UNDER WARRANTY. *TT
Bulletin SW07 · Electrical System · May 2000INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT OPERATOR'S MANUALS FOR TECH 1-A CARTRIDGES. *TT
Bulletin TS 002 05167 · Equipment · Jan 1999MODIFICATION OF POWER STEERING PUMP SERVICE PROCEDURES. *YC
Bulletin 97010104187A · Steering · Jan 1997CORRECT COOLANT USAGE. *EH
Bulletin 0204145 · Engine And Engine CoolingSource: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SIDEKICK. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Suspension
On certain Sidekick Sport vehicles, insufficient strength of the mounting base on the upper end of the front struts can lead to breakage of the mounting bolts that attach the upper end of the front struts to the vehicle body. This condition could adversely affect vehicle handling. Correction: A reinforcement will be added to both front struts, between the mounting base and the…
Transport Canada #2000086 · Feb 2000Fuel System
Note: Four door vehicles only. Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 301 - Fuel System Integrity. The fuel tank on these vehicles may become punctured by a fuel tank flange attachment (gusset) during certain types of rear end collisions. Correction: Vehicles will be modified by the addition of two (2) fuel tank attachment reinforcements (gussets).
Transport Canada #1996104 · Jul 1996Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Suzuki Sidekick
The Suzuki Vitara is a series of SUVs produced by Suzuki in five generations since 1988. The second and third generation were known as the Suzuki Grand Vitara, while the fourth generation eschewed the "Grand" prefix. In Japan and a number of other markets, all generations have used the name Suzuki Escudo until 2024.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
