Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 | −60% | 1 | Wheel & Tire | Good |
| 2001 | 21 | 1.3× | — | Body | Average |
| 2000 | 26 | 1.5× | — | Body | Caution |
| 1999 | 20 | 1.5× | — | Engine | Caution |
| 1998 | 24 | 1.5× | — | Body | Caution |
| 1997 | 7 | −53% | — | Brake | Good |
| 1996 | 5 | −53% | — | Brake | Good |
| 1995 | 13 | −20% | — | Brake | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median Esteem year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Suzuki Esteem problems
Latest Suzuki Esteem recalls
Visibility › Windshield
Certain passenger (111 my 2002 esteem, 777 my 2002 aerio, 2,368 my 2003 aerio) and sport utility (324 my 2002 grand vitara, 274 my 2003 grand vitara, 684 my 2002 grand vitara xl-7, and 781 my 2003 grand vitara xl-7) vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles. Vehicles that are found to have insufficient paint adhesion will either have the problem remedied by repainting, or will be replaced, or repurchased and destroyed.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Suzuki Esteem should you avoid?
1998, 1999 and 2000 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Esteem years at the same age, led by body & structure problems in the 1998.
What is the best year for the Suzuki Esteem?
2002 has the fewest complaints compared with other Esteem years at the same age, followed by 1996 and 1997. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Suzuki Esteem problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the body & structure (35), suspension (26) and brakes (20). Body complaints peak in the 2001 model year.
How many recalls has the Suzuki Esteem had?
1 recall across 1995–2002. The model year with the most is 2002.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.