1996 Suzuki Sidekick Sport JLX
JS3TD21V3T4106125
Vehicle history report for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick Sport JLX (VIN JS3TD21V3T4106125). Black, sport utility vehicle [suv]/multipurpose vehicle [mpv], 1.8L 4-cyl, gasoline. 187,012 mi reported. Registered in Va. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident
![Stock photo of a 1996 Suzuki Sidekick Sport JLX, Black, Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] — not the actual vehicle with VIN JS3TD21V3T4106125](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/%2796-%2798_Suzuki_Sidekick_4-Door.jpg)
Should you buy it? Worth a look — but negotiate
Weighed from safety recalls, known problems and market price.
- 2 recall campaigns exist for this model year. Check this VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm the repairs were done.
- Owners most often report power train trouble on this model — inspect it closely.
- Lower mileage than typical for the year.
Full vehicle history report
Everything below is in the paid report for VIN JS3TD21V3T4106125, compiled live from NMVTIS and licensed providers the moment you unlock it. Not every vehicle has every record type — the report shows what is on file, and says so when nothing is. The 2 recall campaigns for this model year are shown further down.
📜 Title & ownership
- Title statusClean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon — from the national title database (NMVTIS)🔒
- Title brand historyEvery brand ever applied, by state, with what each one means🔒
- Title & registration recordsHow many times it has been titled, where, and the years-per-owner pace🔒
- Decode consistency checkThe provider's decode cross-checked against ours — a mismatch is a cloned-VIN warning sign🔒
🛞 Odometer
- Odometer timelineEvery reported reading with its date and state, drawn as a timeline🔒
- Rollback checkFlags any reading that goes backwards🔒
- Miles per yearThis car's pace against the US average🔒
💥 Damage, loss & theft
- Total-loss recordsInsurance total-loss declarations, with the reporting insurer type and date🔒
- Salvage & junk-yard recordsSalvage, junk and auction dispositions, including export flags🔒
- Theft screenActive and recovered theft records🔒
- Accident indicatorsDamage events reflected in title data (NMVTIS does not carry police crash reports)🔒
- Flood-exposure checkTitle activity in a disaster area soon after a major flood or hurricane🔒
💰 Liens & value
- Liens, impounds & exportOpen liens with the lender, tow/impound and export records🔒
- Market value for this exact carRetail adjusted for its mileage and state, trade-in, loan value, auction low/avg/high and retail by condition🔒
- DepreciationDrop from original MSRP, yearly rate and a one-year projection🔒
- Sticker vs dealer invoiceWhat it cost new, and what the dealer paid🔒
🧰 Factory warranty & equipment
- Remaining warrantyBasic, powertrain and rust coverage left, estimated from the first title date and odometer🔒
- Standard equipment & coloursWhat this trim came with from the factory, and the colours it was offered in🔒
🚨 Recalls on this VIN
- Per-VIN recall statusWhether each campaign has been repaired on THIS car, remedy availability, do-not-drive and stop-sale flags, dealer labour time🔒
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 1996 Suzuki Sidekick data →
📋 All factory specifications on file2 more fields from the manufacturer's VIN record (NHTSA vPIC)
⚙️ Engine, fuel & battery
🏭 Manufacturing & other
Values are as reported by the manufacturer for this VIN pattern; blank or "not applicable" fields are omitted.
MPG & running costs
U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick with this engine.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions with this engine; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages. Actual mileage varies with trim and driving conditions.
Crash-test safety ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program, tested as the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick 2-DR. 4x4. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1996 Suzuki Sidekick costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 6
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming s…
Bulletin N-Q-G-045 · Suspension, Equipment · Nov 2018ON SOME VEHICLES, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) MAY ILLUMINATE AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) ARE STORED THAT ARE EITHER NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SPECIFICATIONS OR CONSIST OF RANDOM NUMBERS UNRELATED TO ANY SYSTEM OR COMPONENT. *TT
Bulletin SW02B · Dec 2000THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE REVISED CLAIMS SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR REPLACEMENT BATTERIES UNDER WARRANTY. *TT
Bulletin SW07 · Electrical System · May 2000INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT OPERATOR'S MANUALS FOR TECH 1-A CARTRIDGES. *TT
Bulletin TS 002 05167 · Equipment · Jan 1999MODIFICATION OF POWER STEERING PUMP SERVICE PROCEDURES. *YC
Bulletin 97010104187A · Steering · Jan 1997CORRECT COOLANT USAGE. *EH
Bulletin 0204145 · Engine And Engine CoolingSource: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SIDEKICK. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Suspension
On certain Sidekick Sport vehicles, insufficient strength of the mounting base on the upper end of the front struts can lead to breakage of the mounting bolts that attach the upper end of the front struts to the vehicle body. This condition could adversely affect vehicle handling. Correction: A reinforcement will be added to both front struts, between the mounting base and the…
Transport Canada #2000086 · Feb 2000Fuel System
Note: Four door vehicles only. Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 301 - Fuel System Integrity. The fuel tank on these vehicles may become punctured by a fuel tank flange attachment (gusset) during certain types of rear end collisions. Correction: Vehicles will be modified by the addition of two (2) fuel tank attachment reinforcements (gussets).
Transport Canada #1996104 · Jul 1996Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Suzuki Sidekick
The Suzuki Vitara is a series of SUVs produced by Suzuki in five generations since 1988. The second and third generation were known as the Suzuki Grand Vitara, while the fourth generation eschewed the "Grand" prefix. In Japan and a number of other markets, all generations have used the name Suzuki Escudo until 2024.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
Safety recall campaigns 2
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING BASE ON THE UPPER END OF THE FRONT STRUTS CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE UPPER END OF THE FRONT STRUTS TO THE VEHICLE BODY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT, FOR BOTH FRONT STRUTS, BETWEEN THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING BASE AND THE VEHICLE BODY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING BASES, MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUTS, AND STRUT BAR STAYS WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA Campaign #00V008000 · manufacturer #W2 · 20/01/2000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE FUEL TANK ON THESE VEHICLES CAN BECOME PUNCTURED BY A FUEL TANK FLANGE ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT DURING REAR-END COLLISIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL TANK INTEGRITY."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW SHIELD GUSSETS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND ATTACHMENT BRACKETS TO PREVENT THE REINFORCEMENT FROM PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK WALL.
NHTSA Campaign #96V121002 · 02/07/1996These are NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year, last checked 4 Nov 2026. They don't show whether this particular car has had the repair done — check this VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on all 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick, here are the most-reported problem areas — and what to check before you buy.
💥 3 involved a crash 🔥 3 involved a fire 🚑 2 reported injuries
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 81
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick.
POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT
CLUTCH PEDAL SEPARATES FROM PIVOT SHAFT. WELD BRAKES, PEDAL DETACHES, VEHICLE DISABLED. THIRD OCCURRENCE. OEM PEDAL REPLACEMENT REVEALS NO-WARRANTY, COMMON OCCURRENCE FAILURE MODE. PEDAL RE-ATTACHED TO SHAFT BY PROFESSIONAL WELDERS ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES. HAVE REPLACED CLUTCH CABLE, CLUTCH PLATE & THROWOUT BEARING WITHOUT RESOLUTION. HYDRAULIC REPLACEME…
NHTSA ODI #10212453AIR BAGS
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1996 SUZUKI SIDEKICK SPORT ON AN ICY AFTERNOON HE PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH AND HIT THE UTILITY POLE, AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG POPPED AND BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE CENTER OF THE BAG. A NEIGHBOR SAW WHAT HAPPENED ,CAME OVER, OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR, AND BEAT THE FLAMES …
Crash · Fire · 1 injured · NHTSA ODI #10182340ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. SHE STATES THAT SHE GOT INTO HER VEHICLE AND INSERTED THE KEY. SHE SAID THAT WHEN SHE TURNED THE KEY, IT SOUNDED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. SHE STATES SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, WAITED AND THEN TURNED THE IGNITION ON AGAIN, THEN SHE SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE, THEN THERE WAS FIRE. SHE SAID HER HUSBAND AND THE …
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10092513SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AUGUST OF 2002. I AM NOW REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR TIME #3. I KNOW FROM THE LAST 2 TIMES THE SLAVE CYLINDER AND CLUTCH WILL ALSO NEED TO BE DONE. THIS IS ABSOLUTLEY HORRID. MY FIRST REPLACEMENTS WERE 1/03 CYLINDERS #1 AND CLUTCH #1, SECOND TIME THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO BE DONE IN SEPTEMBER, HOWEVER DUE TO AN OUT OF STATE MOVE …
NHTSA ODI #10086953FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS NHTSA RECALL 96-V-121-002 RELATED TO THE FUEL TANK. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10019369SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE BRACKET SNAP CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
NHTSA ODI #8022905ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALWAYS INDICATED HOT, DUE TO THE RADIATOR CAP WHICH IS DEFECTED, HAS BEEN CHANGE THREE TIMES. AND REOCURRING THE PROBLEM.. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #8022832ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ALMOST FROM THE DAY I PURSCHASED IT FROM LARGO HONDA IN KEY LARGO FLORIDA; DEC. OF 1999. ALTHOUGH I PURSCHASED AN EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT FOR $8,000, I WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET SATIFACTION FROM THE DEALER, THE SELLER, OR MY WARRENTY CO. ALWAYS AT MY EXPENCE , TOWING, {RENTAL CARS =$1,700 04/05/00 - 50,373 MILES AUTO DOC O…
NHTSA ODI #766501+ 73 more complaints on record.
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