1989 Suzuki Samurai problems

General information about Suzuki-Samurai
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Suzuki Jimny (Japanese: スズキ・ジムニー, Suzuki Jimunī) is a series of four-wheel drive off-road mini SUVs, manufactured and marketed by Japanese automaker Suzuki since 1970.

Originally belonging to the kei class, Japan's light automobile tax/legal class, the company continues to market a kei-compliant version for the Japanese and global markets as the Jimny, as well as versions that exceed kei-class limitations. Suzuki has marketed 2.85 million Jimnys in 194 countries through September 2018.

History

The history of Suzuki four-wheel drive cars began in the latter half of the 1960s, when Suzuki bought a Steyr-Puch Haflinger to study with the intent of building a kei-class off-road vehicle. A better opportunity presented itself in 1968, when Suzuki was able to buy bankrupt Japanese automaker Hope Motor Company, which had introduced a small off-road vehicle called the HopeStar ON360. The tiny Hope company had been unable to enter series production, and only about 45 were manufactured. The first Suzuki-branded four-wheel drive, the LJ10 (Light Jeep 10), was introduced in 1970. The LJ10 had a 359-cc, air-cooled, two-stroke, in-line two-cylinder engine. The liquid-cooled LJ20 was introduced in 1972 with the cooling changed due to newly enacted emission regulations, and it gained 3 hp. In 1975, Suzuki complemented the LJ20 with the LJ50, which had a larger 539 cc, two-stroke, in-line three-cylinder engine and bigger differentials. This was originally targeted at the Australian market, but more exports soon followed.

The Jimny8/LJ80 was an updated version of the LJ50 with an 800 cc, four-stroke, in-line four-cylinder engine, followed by the Jimny 1000/SJ410 and Jimny 1300/SJ413. An updated version of the SJ413 became known as the Samurai and was the first Suzuki officially marketed in the US. The series from SJ410 to SJ413 was known as the Sierra in Australia, and remained the Jimny in some markets.

The new Jimny was released in 1998, and now bears the same name in all markets. The 1998 release used the G13BB EFI engine, replaced by the M13AA EFI engine in 2001 and the M13AA variable valve timing engine in 2005, in conjunction with a minor interior redesign.

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Common 1989 Suzuki Samurai problems

The Suzuki Samurai, produced from 1985 to 1995, is known for its off-road capabilities and affordability. However, it has some common issues that owners have reported.

One of the most common problems is overheating, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including a faulty thermostat, a clogged radiator, or a low coolant level. Overheating can lead to more severe issues, such as head gasket failure, which can be costly to repair.

Another common issue is engine stalling, which can be caused by a faulty ignition system, a dirty air filter, or clogged fuel injectors. This can be frustrating for drivers, especially if it happens frequently or in inconvenient locations.

Rust and corrosion on the body and frame are also common problems with the Suzuki Samurai. This can be caused by exposure to road salt, moisture, and other environmental factors. Rust can weaken the structure of the vehicle and lead to more severe issues if not addressed promptly.

Head gasket failure is another common issue with the Suzuki Samurai. This can be caused by overheating, which can warp the cylinder head and cause the head gasket to fail. Symptoms of head gasket failure include white smoke from the exhaust, coolant leaks, and engine misfires.

Transfer case issues are also common with the Suzuki Samurai. The transfer case is responsible for transmitting power to the front and rear axles. Worn-out or damaged transfer case components can cause issues with the four-wheel-drive system, which can be costly to repair.

Worn-out suspension components are another common issue with the Suzuki Samurai. This can be caused by wear and tear, as well as exposure to rough terrain. Worn-out suspension components can affect the handling and ride quality of the vehicle, making it uncomfortable to drive.

Engine-related problems, such as lack of power, oil consumption, and poor fuel efficiency, are also common with the Suzuki Samurai. These issues can be caused by a variety of factors, such as dirty air filters, clogged fuel injectors, or worn-out spark plugs. Electrical problems, such as starting issues and lighting problems, can also be experienced by Suzuki Samurai owners. These issues can be caused by a faulty battery, starter, alternator, or wiring.

To prevent or fix these problems, it's important to keep your Suzuki Samurai well-maintained and to address any issues as soon as they arise. Regularly changing the oil and air filters, keeping the tires properly inflated, and checking the battery and electrical connections can go a long way in preventing these issues.

Are old Suzuki Samurais reliable?

The car, however, was very reliable and even set a world record for the highest altitude attained by a four-wheeled vehicle in 2007. The lawsuit and reputation damages did cause its “fall from grace”, but if you want to find and purchase one now, there's absolutely nothing to worry about.

Is the Samurai a good car?

The Samurai is a very capable, long-lasting, dependable, off-road vehicle. This is why it is still popular and has high resale values. But as a daily car, it's slow, noisy, and uncomfortable. The ride was firmer in 1986-88 models.

How safe are Suzuki samurais?

Sales had plummeted and by 1995 it had been pulled out of the American market completely. Court documents showed that Suzuki allegedly knew of more than 200 deaths and more than 8000 injuries which were caused as a result of rollover.

Why was Suzuki Samurai discontinued?

The Suzuki Samurai, which was actually a Suzuki Jimny, was unfairly labeled as dangerous and prone to rollovers, leading to slumping sales and its discontinuation in the U.S.

1989 Suzuki Samurai car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Suzuki Samurai problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Tires problems
Seat belts problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Suzuki Samurai vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1989 Suzuki Samurai complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1989 Suzuki Samurai.

2001-01-16

TIRES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: JS3JC51C8K4
Components: TIRES
Summary: WHILE TRAVELING 55MPH HEARD A NOISE. VEHICLE STARTED TO SHIMMY. PULLED VEHICLE OVER & CHECKED ON TIRES. NOTICED LEFT FRONT TIRE, A SPARE, HAD LOST ITS TREAD. TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED SUZUKI SAMAURI JEEP FIRESTONE, SF405, P205/70R15, DOT ELYTCKK508. *AK *JB

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1997-06-16

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: JSKJC51C4K4
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: RECEIVED ARECALL NOTICE FOR SEAT BELT BUCKLES. AFTER RECALL WORK WAS DONE, SEAT BELTS NOW ARE WORST. CHILD ALMOST FLEW OUT OF SEAT BECAUSE OF REPLACEMENT BUCKLES. *AK

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1989 Suzuki Samurai recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1989 Suzuki Samurai.

1995-05-24

Manufacturer: AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1989 Suzuki Samurai problems:

Problems to look for when buying | Suzuki Forums

https://www.suzuki-forums.com/threads/problems-to-look-for-when-buying.56365/

Jan 29, 2013 ... For common rust spots you can check out my project thread. Click on the picture in my signature. When evaluating the engine make sure you check ...

Q&A: Common Problems with 1995 Suzuki Sidekick JLX Transmission

https://www.justanswer.com/car/4y1hz-suzuki-jlx-sidekick-4x4-95-suzuki-sidekick-jlx.html

May 2, 2011 ... I have a 95 Suzuki Sidekick JLX with automatic transmission. There is a problem with the transmission. At first the - Answered by a verified ...

Hi guys, I was interested in buying a Samurai but I had few ...

https://www.reddit.com/r/SuzukiSamurai/comments/12sz560/hi_guys_i_was_interested_in_buying_a_samurai_but/

Apr 20, 2023 ... It seems that the rain is a common sketchy problem for a samurai due to its wheel base lol but how about winter?

Suzuki Samurai Q&A: Automatic & Manual Transmission Problems

https://www.justanswer.com/car/gk4q2-just-88-suzuki-samurai-told-needed.html

Apr 13, 2021 ... I just got a 88 suzuki samurai that was told needed a clutch. The breaks are bad so I shifted the manual transmission - Answered by a ...