Model year guide

1990 Suzuki Swift

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Suzuki Swift is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 9 on record.

1990 Suzuki Swift — representative photo
Representative photo

1990 Suzuki Swift at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints3
Combined28–41 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1990 Suzuki Swift recalls 2

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly NHTSA Campaign #95V103008 · 24/05/1995

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…

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch NHTSA Campaign #93V189000 · 30/11/1993

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.

1990 Suzuki Swift common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Latches/locks/linkages
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1990 Suzuki Swift MPG & running costs

Combined28–41 mpg
City32 mpg
Highway38 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$1,988
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume82 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,063 less

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 1990 Suzuki Swift costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$9,940
Fuel only$9,940
Per mile$0.13

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

Length
146.1–160.6 in
Width
62.2–63.0 in
Height
53.1–54.3 in
Wheelbase
89.4–93.3 in
Curb weight
1,709–1,863 lb
Front track
53.5–54.3 in
Rear track
52.8–53.5 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1990 Suzuki Swift — ranges cover the 4 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA95006 · Seat Belts · opened Mar 1995 · closed Aug 1995

An 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 2018

CORRECT COOLANT USAGE. *EH

Bulletin 0204145 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Source: 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 1990 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 1997

Seats 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 1995

Structure

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 1993

Source: 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.

1990 Suzuki Swift vehicles on record

Other Suzuki Swift model years

1990 Suzuki Swift — frequently asked questions

Does the 1990 Suzuki Swift have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1990 Suzuki Swift. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Suzuki Swift?

Across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 1990 Suzuki Swift get?

The 1990 Suzuki Swift has U.S. EPA estimates of 28–41 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.