NHTSA — Structure: Frame And Members Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,806 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Suzuki Esteem body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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1998 Suzuki Esteem Owner Comments

problem #4

Nov 012010

Esteem 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,524 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1998 Suzuki Esteem. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle began shifting to the right. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the front cross member frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The contact stated he was unable to contact the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 114,524...updated 09-26-12 the consumer stated the manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. Updated 10/01/2012

- Newport, RI, USA

problem #3

Nov 282010

Esteem

  • 100,000 miles
Front suspension cross member in 1998 Suzuki Esteem cracked open while driving at 25mph. Car suddenly pulled to the right, since it happen at low speed I was able to quickly stop. Upon inspection of the front suspension cross member I found out that rusting was so extensive that you could poke a hole in the cross member by simply pushing a screw driver on to the surface of the cross member.

- Brookfield, IL, USA

problem #2

Aug 052007

Esteem

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Suzuki Esteem. While driving 25 mph the frame on the vehicle broke. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who replaced the frame. The failure occurred again and the vehicle was taken back to the same mechanic. The mechanic advised her to call NHTSA. She called the manufacturer and was unable to leave a message. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000. The current mileage was 68,000.

- Cleveland Heights, OH, USA

problem #1

Nov 172009

Esteem

  • 138,702 miles
98 Suzuki Esteem cross member(engine cradle) on the Suzuki Esteem the engine cradle or cross member rot causing the vehicle to collapse causing into an accident, crossmember or engine cradle supports lower control arms which if the crossmember let go will cause the vehicle to possible crash in my experience as a auto mechanic every single Suzuki Esteem that have come to my shop for state inspection has fail due to the cross member this includes 98 to 01 Suzuki Esteem, every single car at junkyards are rusted out which make it difficult for a customer to get a used replacement for a cheaper price, ,,I believe that factory or dealer should consider this as a safety recall since this can put in danger alot of people, ,thanks and I hope this will be take on consideration right at this moment I have a customer which his car cross member or engine cradle let go and we cant find a used one anywhere all junkyards state that it is a common thing on Suzuki Esteems...all dealers should send a letter to all Esteems owner to get the cross member or engine cradle replaced at no cost.

- Manchester, NH, USA

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