2002 Suzuki Esteem
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 3 of 5 complaints (60%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Steering include more crash reports (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 21 in 2001 to 5 in 2002.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | vs. 2002 Small Station Wagons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150–2,400 | 2,150–2,400 | 2,300–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–29 | 26–29 | 25–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–26 / 30–33 | 23–26 / 30–33 | 23–24 / 30–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 306–342 | 306–342 | 329–355 | |
| Complaints filed | 26 | 21 | 5 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Suzuki Esteem have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Suzuki Esteem?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 3 of 5 NHTSA complaints (60%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Suzuki Esteem get?
EPA rates it 25–27 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Suzuki Esteem?
EPA estimates $2,300–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 24 mpg (high) | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 24 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | $2,300 (low) | 329 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 23 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 23 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 24 mpg (high) | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD · Campaign 03V223000 · Jun 18, 2003
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF UNBELTED OCCUPANTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PAINT ADHESION WILL EITHER HAVE THE PROBLEM REMEDIED BY REPAINTING, OR WILL BE REPLACED, OR REPURCHASED AND DESTROYED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.