1996 Suzuki Sidekick
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 15 of 59 complaints (25%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Special Purpose Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–3,100 | 2,850–3,100 | 2,850–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–22 | 20–22 | 20–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 22–24 | 19–21 / 22–24 | 19–21 / 22–24 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–444 | 404–444 | 404–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 59 | 36 | 27 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 5 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 5 | 11 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 10 | 12 | 6 |
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 1996 Suzuki Sidekick have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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 1996 Suzuki Sidekick?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 15 of 59 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick get?
EPA rates it 20–22 MPG combined across 10 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Suzuki Sidekick?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (10)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 3-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 21 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 21 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 19 mpg (low) | 23 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 21 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 19 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 20 mpg | 23 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 3-spd | 4 | 1.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 21 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 21 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 19 mpg (low) | 23 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 21 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 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 (2)
SUSPENSION · Campaign 00V008000 · Feb 2, 2000
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THE STRUT BROKE LOOSE, A DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 96V121002 · Jul 8, 1996
Defect: 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."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTING FROM THIS PUNCTURE COULD RESULT IN A POST-CRASH FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW SHIELD GUSSETS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND ATTACHMENT BRACKETS TO PREVENT THE REINFORCEMENT FROM PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK WALL.