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
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 27 | 0 |
| 1997 Sidekick | 36 | 1 |
| 1996 Sidekick | 59 | 2 |
| 1995 | 26 | 0 |
| 1994 Sidekick | 21 | 1 |
| 1993 Sidekick | 14 | 1 |
| 1992 | 10 | 0 |
| 1991 Sidekick | 14 | 1 |
| 1990 Sidekick | 5 | 1 |
| 1989 Sidekick | 7 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Engine and engine cooling34
- Suspension33
- Power train32
- Seat belts23
- Service brakes, hydraulic22
- Electrical system18
- Air bags17
- Structure14
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 10 Sidekick vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 7 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 | 2 |
| 1997 | 1 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 | 3 | 2 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 1 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 4 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 10.4–10.6 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Sidekick 2-Door · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.5 | 9.6 | 10.6 |
| 1997 | Sidekick 2-Door · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.5 | 9.6 | 10.6 |
| 1996 | Sidekick 2-Door · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.5 | 9.6 | 10.6 |
| 1995 | Sidekick JA · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.3 | 9.3 | 10.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
2 Sidekick cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
4 campaigns cover the Sidekick.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING BASE ON THE UPPER END OF THE FRONT STRUTS CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE UPPER END OF THE FRONT STRUTS TO THE VEHICLE BODY.
THE FUEL TANK ON THESE VEHICLES CAN BECOME PUNCTURED BY A FUEL TANK FLANGE ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT DURING REAR-END COLLISIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL TANK INTEGRITY."
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.
THE RIGHT REAR AND LEFT AXLE SHAFT HOUSING TUBES WERE INCORRECTLY WELDED AND CAN FRACTURE. FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE SHAFT HOUSING CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE LINE.
NHTSA recalls