Model year guide

1996 Suzuki Sidekick

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Suzuki Sidekick is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1996 Suzuki Sidekick — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1996 Suzuki Sidekick at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints81
Combined20–22 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1996 Suzuki Sidekick recalls 2

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #00V008000 · manufacturer #W2 · 20/01/2000

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly NHTSA Campaign #96V121002 · 02/07/1996

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."

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW SHIELD GUSSETS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND ATTACHMENT BRACKETS TO PREVENT THE REINFORCEMENT FROM PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK WALL.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1996 Suzuki Sidekick common problems

Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Air Bags
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.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

1996 Suzuki Sidekick MPG & running costs

Combined20–22 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,155
EPA size classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
Transmission3 options
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$3,775 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 10 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1996 Suzuki Sidekick costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,775
Fuel only$15,775
Per mile$0.21

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.

1996 Suzuki Sidekick trims & engines on record

Trims
Sport JLX
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl

1996 Suzuki Sidekick vehicles on record

1996 Suzuki Sidekick 1996 Suzuki Sidekick Sport JLXJS3TD21V3T4106125

1996 Suzuki Sidekick — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick?

Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, power train, engine and engine cooling.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Suzuki Sidekick get?

The 1996 Suzuki Sidekick has U.S. EPA estimates of 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (10 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.