Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Esteem | 5 | 1 |
| 2001 | 21 | 0 |
| 2000 | 26 | 0 |
| 1999 | 20 | 0 |
| 1998 | 24 | 0 |
| 1997 | 7 | 0 |
| 1996 | 5 | 0 |
| 1995 | 13 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Structure35
- Suspension26
- Service brakes, hydraulic18
- Engine and engine cooling15
- Air bags12
- Power train9
- Tires7
- Steering7
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 7 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 7.9–8.5 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Esteem Wagon · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.6 | 7.2 | 8.5 |
| 2001 | Esteem · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 8.8 | 6.8 | 7.9 |
| 2000 | Esteem · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 8.8 | 6.8 | 7.9 |
| 1999 | Esteem · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 8.8 | 6.8 | 7.9 |
| 1998 | Esteem · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 8.8 | 6.8 | 7.9 |
| 1997 | Esteem · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 8.9 | 6.8 | 8.0 |
| 1996 | Esteem · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 8.9 | 6.8 | 8.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
1 campaigns cover the Esteem.
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 ADHESION BETWEEN THE PAINT APPLIED DURING THE SECOND-STAGE PAINTING PROCESS AND THE PAINT APPLIED DURING FINAL-STAGE PAINTING.
NHTSA recalls