Suzuki Esteem 1996

Model Esteem made in 1996 by Suzuki got 8 consumer complains as well as 4 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags and electrical system. Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system and engine and engine cooling. The car has one 1.6l engine.

Model 1996

Engine [L]CylindersTransmissionDriveEstimate MPG (city/highway/combined)Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined)FuelFuel costClassRelease date
( 1.6L) 4Lockup/automatic, 4 gearsFWD27/34/3030/43/35Regular$ 5993950817
( 1.6L) 4Manual, 5 gearsFWD31/37/3334/48/39Regular$ 5453950817

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
SW0705/04/2000610525This bulletin contains the revised claims submission procedures for replacement batteries under warranty. *tt05/04/2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
021006310016419Service manual update-incorrect wiring diagram of the wiper/washer combination switch. *sc09/12/2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
020414510014822Correct coolant usage. *eh05/10/2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
010919309/11/200310004641Service manual update - improper torque specifications. *tt12/29/2003

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
04/11/1997008/01/1996
 Driving 40 mph vehicle in front stopped suddenly, hit the brakes but rearended vehicle anyway; driver's side air bag did not deploy; was rearended by another vehicle and esteem was totaled. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
09/01/19961206/01/1996
 Took it to the service dept. repeatedly and they never found problems so convienantly we had numerous problems and ended up turning the car in and lossing everything we put in to it and messing up our credit due to we were tired of fighting with the dealership and the manufacturer. so other people need to be aware of these dangerous problems with this car. it stranded me and my 2 children seveeral times not including my mother in law once when we let her borrow it . no one would listen to us so maybe you will ! i have written statements of these problems that other people had seen this car do ! no safety defected mentione din summary. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
11/30/1998
 When driving at 45 mph, the pulley: crankshaft broke, causing the consumer to lose control of steering, and the balacing and the timing belt was damaged and the bolt came off. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
09/01/19961206/01/1996
 Took it to the service dept. repeatedly and they never found problems so convienantly we had numerous problems and ended up turning the car in and lossing everything we put in to it and messing up our credit due to we were tired of fighting with the dealership and the manufacturer. so other people need to be aware of these dangerous problems with this car. it stranded me and my 2 children seveeral times not including my mother in law once when we let her borrow it . no one would listen to us so maybe you will ! i have written statements of these problems that other people had seen this car do ! no safety defected mentione din summary. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
04/11/1997008/01/1996
 Driving 40 mph vehicle in front stopped suddenly, hit the brakes but rearended vehicle anyway; driver's side air bag did not deploy; was rearended by another vehicle and esteem was totaled. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER
04/01/1997
 Abs brake failure, front calipers and bushing malfunctioned, causing front end vibration. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST
09/01/19961206/01/1996
 Took it to the service dept. repeatedly and they never found problems so convienantly we had numerous problems and ended up turning the car in and lossing everything we put in to it and messing up our credit due to we were tired of fighting with the dealership and the manufacturer. so other people need to be aware of these dangerous problems with this car. it stranded me and my 2 children seveeral times not including my mother in law once when we let her borrow it . no one would listen to us so maybe you will ! i have written statements of these problems that other people had seen this car do ! no safety defected mentione din summary. *ak
TIRES - TREAD/BELT
04/29/200473000403/03/1997
 After 31,000 miles, 4 goodyear aquatread tires developed feathered tread blocks on all 4 tires. this resulted in road noise from the tires that was similar to that of all 4 wheel bearings failing simultaneously. the noise was so loud that normal conversation in the vehicle was not possible and any emergency signals such as sirens or horns could not be heard. i believe that prolonged exposure would have lead to hearing loss. the dealer where the tires were purchased could find no excuse for the tires doing this so he refused to honor the tires warranty based on my not having him rotate the tires on schedule. even though i informed him that i had rotated the tires myself and that i had found many postings on internet sites detailing the exact or similar failure on these specific tires. i sent a email message to goodyear customer service. their reply was that there was little they could do to control what their dealers do. i was forced to replace the tires at another dealer at my expense. it seems that the only warranty goodyear honors or the only defects they are interested in correcting are ones the judge says fix.*ak