3 years ago I bought a set of 4 goodyear warngler duratrac tires for my suzuki vitara. After aprox 1,5 years I go to tire service shop to repair air loss around the rim. With tire unmounted we found inner layer separation. I reported this to the seller and after checking with goodyear represantive they changed the tire with new one. After another aprox 1,5 years I have to go to tire shop for another repair and found another tire with split layers. We checked all other tires minus warranty replaced one and they all are split from inside. I reported this to the seller and goodyear representive but they didn't offer any solution yet.
The worst 1998 Suzuki Sidekick problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags9
- Engine6
- Fuel system4
- Brakes3
- Suspension3
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags9
- Engine6
- Fuel system4
- Brakes3
- Suspension3
- Transmission3
- Electrical2
- Lights1
- Seats1
- Tires1
- Visibility1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick 4
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts...
- This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile...
- Correct coolant usage
- This bulletin contains the revised claims submission procedures for replacement batteries under warranty
1998 Suzuki Sidekick fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | RWD | 19-21 | 23-24 | 21-22 |
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 19-21 | 23-24 | 21-22 |
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | RWD | 19-20 | 22-23 | 20-21 |
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 19-20 | 22-23 | 20-21 |
What 1998 Suzuki Sidekick owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Was in a frontal accident. Front end of car pretty much totaled. Airbags did not deploy, and no problems with the codes or light before this.
While traveling at normal speed and without any indication air bags deployed as a result of a vehicle crash. Please provide further information.
While driving 25 MPH vehicle stalled. Towed to dealer, who found ignition coil was too close to engine block, and had shorted out. Dealer rewired ignition coil.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Possible engine failure caused the vehicle to catch on fire in the engine compartment one day after the vehicle was purchased (case # 01-250-843-501, report # 1023282). Nlm
Consumer was told that wrong size gas tank is equipped on vehicle. *ak premature clutch failure, driveshaft failure. Bolts vibrated out of exhaust namifold. Recurring noise from engine pulley area.
Exhaust bolts vibrated loose/broke off (7/15/98;1/4/99;11/19/99) idler pulley has been changed 3 times(1/4/99;11/17/99;11/19/99); drive belt has been replaced 2 times(1/15/99;11/19/99); motor mounts needed to be secured (2/26/99); clutch slave cylinder needs to be replaced (complained 7/15/98;1/25/00. Diagnosed 6/12/00); noise coming from transmission(6/12/00 told noise normal); driveshaft cv joint bad (6/12/00 told by dealer noise normal. 6/14/00 told driveshaft cv joint bad due to poor design. 6/16/00 2nd estimate driveshaft cv joint bad). The manufacturer has been notified numerous times but continues to stonewall regarding issues with my car. *ak also wrong , smaller size gas tank was installed vehicle. Manfacturer is not sending the federal safety agency information regarding tsb or recalls.
I suddenly heard a whirring and sound and the brakes started to grind when trying to stop. I had not experienced any braking problem prior to this event.
Consume rwas traveling about 45mph on highway and was going up a hill. When reaching the top of the hill, rear end came forward, and vehicle was sideways on the ramp. Vehicle veered over into an enbankment, and then at the and then came out of enbankment. Vehicle was still running . Rear driver's side tire had exploded.
Compare the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick
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Questions about the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick
Is the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick reliable?
Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick, 1.3 times a typical Sidekick model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick?
Airbags, with 9 complaints. Next is engine (6).
How many recalls does the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick have?
No recalls on record.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick range from 20 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 19-21 city and 23-24 highway.
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