2002 Suzuki Esteem: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Suzuki Esteem: 1 recall, 5 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #03V223000 · 2003 · 5,319 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. 212, 'windshield mounting." the windshield May not be properly secured to the vehicle body due to insufficient…
Why it matters: If the windshield is not properly secured, it May separate from the vehicle during a crash which could result in the ejection of unbelted occupants, increasing the risk of severe injury or death.
The fix: 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. Owner notification began on July 8, 2003. Owners should contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (2): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (2).
- Wheels (2): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (2).
- Steering (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Tires (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2002 Suzuki Esteem has 5 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 8 Esteem model years for complaints (well below the 15 average). Complaints peaked in 2002 (2 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 67,050 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (21 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 32 | 27 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 31 | 26 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Suzuki Esteem.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Suzuki Esteem have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2002 Suzuki Esteem. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Suzuki Esteem problems?
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (2), wheels (2), steering (1).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Suzuki Esteem get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (1.8 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Suzuki Esteem repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.