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1996 Suzuki Sidekick JX 2dr 4WD Auto

The 1996 Suzuki Sidekick JX 2dr 4WD Auto is a 95-hp 1.6-liter inline-4 with a 3-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. It starts at $15,044 MSRP.

It makes 95 horsepower and 98 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

The Sidekick measures 143.7 inches long on a 86.6-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,546 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeConvertible
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$15,044 ($31,162 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.6L DOHC 16-valve I4 (Suzuki G16B)
Displacement1.6 L
Horsepower95 hp
Torque98 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Drive Type4WD (part-time, on-demand)
Transmission
Transmission3-Speed Automatic
Fuel Economy
City22 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Unleaded
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15 in
Wheels Rear15 in
Dimensions & Weight
Length143.7 in
Width64.2 in
Height65.1 in
Wheelbase86.6 in
Curb Weight2,546 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1996 Suzuki Sidekick 2-DR. 4x4

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Suzuki SIDEKICK. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jan 20, 2000 · 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.

Consequence: IF THE STRUT BROKE LOOSE, A DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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

Jul 2, 1996 · FUEL 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."

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTING FROM THIS PUNCTURE COULD RESULT IN A POST-CRASH FIRE.

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

66 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Suzuki SIDEKICK

Owner Complaints

66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Suzuki SIDEKICK (3 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train16
Suspension16
Engine And Engine Cooling10
Hydraulic8
Service Brakes8
Air Bags5
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Dec 20, 2007 · 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…”
Feb 12, 2007 · Air Bags Crash Fire 1 injury
“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…”
Sep 16, 2004 · Electrical System Fire
“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…”
Aug 16, 2004 · Service 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…”
May 7, 2003 · Fuel 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”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1996 SUZUKI SIDEKICK. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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