1998 Suzuki Esteem: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 36 complaints
36
Total Complaints
83,700mi
Median Mileage
SUSPENSION
Top Issue
9
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

7,700 25th Percentile
83,700 Median Mileage
120,568 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

SUSPENSION
4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
4
AIR BAGS
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
2
SEATS
2
SEAT BELTS
2
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2

Severity Assessment

9
Crashes
1
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE."
"WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL. STEERING PULLS LEFT TO RIGHT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERS, WHERE THEY ARE UNABLE FIX PROBLEM. *AK"
"NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION, ALSO SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP, RESULTING IN INJURIES. (QCAW)"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28