1990 Suzuki Samurai problems
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 1990 Suzuki Samurai problems
The Suzuki Samurai, a compact 4x4 vehicle produced between 1986 and 1995, is known for its off-road capabilities and lightweight design. However, like any vehicle, it has its share of common problems that owners may encounter.
- Clicky Starters: A common problem with the Suzuki Samurai is a noisy starter motor, often described as a "clicky" or "grinding" sound. This issue can be caused by worn-out starter components, such as the solenoid, brushes, or commutator. Replacing the starter motor or specific components can solve this problem.
- Leaky Distributor O-rings: The Samurai's distributor O-rings can deteriorate over time, leading to oil leaks and potential engine performance issues. Replacing the O-rings can prevent these leaks and maintain optimal engine performance.
- Fussy Stock Carburetor: The Suzuki Samurai's stock carburetor is known for its complexity and sensitivity, which can lead to performance issues and difficulty in tuning. Many owners opt to replace the stock carburetor with a simpler, more reliable alternative, such as a Toyota 3k carb, Weber carb, Harley carb, or even an EFI system.
- Plastic Shifter Breakage: The Samurai's plastic shifter can become brittle and break over time due to age and wear. Replacing the plastic shifter with a more durable brass unit can prevent this issue and ensure smooth shifting.
- Dead Battery Due to Burned Fusible Link: Some Suzuki Samurai owners have reported dead batteries due to a burned fusible link. This issue can be resolved by replacing the damaged fusible link with a new one.
- Engine Performance Issues in Wet Weather: Some owners have reported engine performance issues, such as bogging down and dying, when driving in wet weather. This problem can be caused by various factors, including fuel system issues, electrical problems, or even engine component wear. A thorough inspection and diagnosis are necessary to identify and address the root cause of this issue.
In summary, the Suzuki Samurai, while known for its off-road capabilities and lightweight design, can experience various common problems, including rusted floors, clicky starters, leaky distributor O-rings, fussy stock carburetors, plastic shifter breakage, dead batteries due to burned fusible links, and engine performance issues in wet weather. Regular maintenance, inspections, and timely repairs can help ensure the longevity and reliability of these vehicles.
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.
What is the controversy with the Suzuki Samurai?
The compact SUV Suzuki Samurai gained a reputation in the U.S. market of being an unsafe car and prone to a rollover after Consumer Reports, the magazine arm of Consumers Union, reported that during a 1988 test on the short course avoidance maneuver (Consumer Union Short Course Double Lane Change, or CUSC for short), ...
What engine is in a 1990 Suzuki Samurai?
Used 1990 Suzuki Samurai JL - Specs & Features
| Engine | |
|---|---|
| Base engine size | 1.3 L |
| Cylinders | Inline 4 |
| Base engine type | Gas |
| Horsepower | 66 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
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.
1990 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:
- Electrical system problems
- Seat belts problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Suzuki Samurai vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1990 Suzuki Samurai complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Suzuki Samurai.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-10-10
- VIN: JS4JC31C6L4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-04-19
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT FAILURE. TT
1990 Suzuki Samurai recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1990 Suzuki Samurai.
- 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.
Negative 1990 Suzuki Samurai car reviews
Positive 1990 Suzuki Samurai car reviews
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This mini SUV is fantastic! It can go anywhere on the road and off-road too. Plus, it's a breeze to park.
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It's a great 4x4! It can tackle all the rocks that I've climbed, and it's lightweight and small, so it can do a lot more than an Excursion or Suburban.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1990 Suzuki Samurai problems:
Common issues or not? : r/SuzukiSamurai
Apr 12, 2022 ... Some leak from the fuel cap to fuel tank. So what I'm wondering is are these common problems. Do any of you know what might be causing these ...
Suzuki Samurai Q&A: Death Wobble, '88 Model, Common Issues
Nov 15, 2013 ... Suzuki Samurai JS: My 88 Samurai has extreme wobble/vibration… ... common for your issue ... 1990 4runner shimmy at 45moh and up to 70mph can be ...
How reliable are the old Samurais? : r/SuzukiSamurai
Sep 12, 2018 ... Car had 125.000km at the time and had zero problems with it. Fellow roadtrippers mentioned the good reliability as well. I did do some basic ...
Transfer case problems....not staying in gear | Pirate 4x4
May 6, 2004 ... Anyone have any other ideas? -Steve. 1988 Suzuki Samurai 1990 Dodge W250 Cummins diesel ... This was a pretty common problem on my buddy's t-case.
Suzuki Samurai - Weak Links, Strong Fixes
Mar 1, 2006 ... What happens:Prior to 1990 ... common Samurai were not equipped with this feature. ... problems, the next option is to upgrade to CV Unlimited's ...
Other years of Suzuki Samurai
Are you having problems with your 1990 Suzuki Samurai?
Luis Funk 2024-01-18
I once bought a Samurai for $500 when I was a young Marine, thinking it was a great deal. However, it turned out to be a disappointing purchase. The vehicle ran rough, had no power, leaked oil from everywhere, and the clutch was out of alignment. Additionally, it barely fit me inside, despite my height of 6 feet. I had previously owned a 94 Tracker (same as Suzuki Sidekick) which was a great vehicle, but unfortunately, the Samurai did not live up to my expectations. The only positive thing I can say is that I was able to trade it in for my 96 Jeep Cherokee and got my full $500 back.