Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1988 Suzuki Samurai, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Seat belts11
- Tires2
- Suspension2
- Structure2
- Steering1
- Power train1
- Seats1
- Engine and engine cooling1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1988 Suzuki Samurai failed the safety check 0.64% of the time — 37% less often than the average 1988 passenger car (1.01%). Median odometer at inspection: 66,352 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
66 first registered in 1988 are on Dutch roads; 32% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen6
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm4
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse4
- Remleiding door corrosie aangetast4
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt4
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij3
- Accu ondeugdelijk bevestigd3
- Remvloeistoflekkage reminrichting2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
8 cars built in 1988 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 81 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
26 of these cars first registered in 1988 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 44,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
13 1988 cars are on the New Zealand register.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1988 Suzuki Samurai.
| 1995116 23 Jun 1995 | Seats And Restraints THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD H… |
| 1988171 15 Dec 1988 | Lights And Instruments CERTAIN VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 101 - CONTROL LOCATION AND IDENTIFICATION. |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Suzuki told its dealers about the 1988 Suzuki Samurai: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10152052 | This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm. |
| 10014819 | CORRECT COOLANT USAGE. *EH |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
VEHICLE STABILITY
ROLLOVER
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation