1989 Suzuki Swift
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 Suzuki Swift is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.
1989 Suzuki Swift at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1989 Suzuki Swift recalls 2
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SU…
MISLOCATED ATTACHING SPOT WELDS OF THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY CAUSE CRACKS TO START ON THE HOOD INNER PANEL. IF CRACKS OCCUR, THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE HOOD LATCH WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.
Fix: SUZUKI WILL (A) INSTALL TWO BOLTS AND NUTS TO SECURE THE STRIKER ASSEMBLY TO THE HOOD INNER PANEL, AND (B) ENSURE THAT THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY FASTENERS ARE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
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.
1989 Suzuki Swift common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1989 Suzuki Swift MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 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 1989 Suzuki Swift 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.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA95006 · Seat Belts · opened Mar 1995 · closed Aug 1995HOOD FLY-UPS Closed
NHTSA #EA93006 · Structure · opened Feb 1993 · closed Nov 1993An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 2
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 2018CORRECT COOLANT USAGE. *EH
Bulletin 0204145 · Engine And Engine CoolingSource: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SWIFT. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1989 Suzuki Swift. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Structure
Note: Vehicles originally retailed in Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. The secondary hood latch on these vehicle can corrode and may experience an wither partial or full seizure condition. This could result in hood fly up while driving if the primary latch is not properly locked. Correction: Latch mechanism will be inspected an…
Transport Canada #1997150 · Aug 1997Seats And Restraints
THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS N…
Transport Canada #1995116 · Jun 1995Structure
CRACKS ON THE INNER HOOD PANEL MAY LEAD TO A CONDITION IN WHICH THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY DOES NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE HOOD LATCH WHEN CLOSED. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN HOOD "FLY-UP" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO (2) BOLTS AND NUTS TO BETTER SECURE THE STRIKER TO THE HOOD INNER PANEL. DEALERS WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT THE THREE (3) EXIS…
Transport Canada #1993161 · Nov 1993Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift is a supermini car (B-segment) produced by Suzuki. The vehicle is classified as a B-segment marque in the European single market, a segment referred to as a supermini in the British Isles. Prior to this, the "Swift" nameplate had been applied to the rebadged Suzuki Cultus in numerous export markets since 1984. The Swift became its own model in 2004. Currently, the Swift is positioned between Ignis and Baleno in Suzuki's global hatchback lineup.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.