Most common 2002 Suzuki Esteem problems
Share of the 5 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Suzuki Esteem complaints by model year
Best Esteem years: 2002, 1996, 1997. Years to avoid: 1998, 1999, 2000. Compare all years →
2002 Suzuki Esteem recalls (1)
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.
What 2002 Suzuki Esteem owners say
Wheels & tires
Sole owner 2002 Suzuki Esteem wagon with rotted k-frame and rusted wheels. Suzuki will only cover k-frame part and dealer wants $390. For labor. Are there other Suzuki vehicles with reported rotted k-frames?. I've owned this vehicle since April 2002. This vehicle will not pass state inspection due to rotted frame.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Suzuki Esteem. The contact occasionally heard a loud noise from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the shielding needed to be replaced around the muffler. The vehicle was repaired however,the failure recurred. The right axle shaft was broken on the subframe which was corroded with extensive rust in addition to the engine cradle cross member. The vehicle was inspected, diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
2002 Suzuki Esteem engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 32 / 27 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 24 / 31 / 26 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 30 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Suzuki Esteem a good car?
Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Esteem rates better than average: 60% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Esteem at the same age. It is one of the best Esteem years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Suzuki Esteem?
The wheels & tires — 3 complaints, 60% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (2) and steering (1).
How many recalls does the 2002 Suzuki Esteem have?
There is 1 recall for the 2002 Suzuki Esteem, the most recent from June 16, 2003 (windshield). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Suzuki Esteem?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 1996 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1998, 1999 and 2000. See the full Suzuki Esteem years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Suzuki Esteem problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.