SuzukiSidekick1989Overview/suzuki/sidekick/1989/base/

1989 Suzuki Sidekick

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 Sidekick.

The 1989 Suzuki Sidekick is documented in the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick Overview, specifying a 4.5‑qt oil capacity and 5W‑30 API viscosity for its powerplant. Reliability records show a total of 13 owner complaints, with the electrical system as the primary concern and a single recall noted. Complaint data spanning 1990‑2000 reveal a peak of 81 complaints in 1996 and a low of one complaint in 2000, placing the 1989 model within a generation that experienced modest but variable service issues.

Model year1995199419931992199119901989

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length142.5 in
Overall width64.2 in
Overall height65.4 in
Wheelbase86.6 in
Curb weight2205 lb
Track (front / rear)55.1 / 55.1 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-80 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-80 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil15W-40 · 15W-50 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miSteering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEGR Valve (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace)
Every 60,000 miEmission Control System (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Ignition Timing (inspect)
Every 100,000 miCatalytic Converter (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1989 model year precedes the federal trend record provided, which commences in 1990, placing it at the generation’s inception before documented complaint volumes began their upward trajectory. Across the 1990–2000 arc, regulatory activity remained comparatively restrained in the early years—registering only 5 to 17 complaints annually through 1993—before escalating dramatically to a peak of 81 complaints and 2 recalls in 1996, then moderating to 28 complaints by 1998. Specific to 1989, the data identifies 5 Electrical System and 4 Seat Belt complaints as the predominant issues, with zero crash-related or fire complaints recorded, though the dataset does not specify total annual complaint counts for direct volume comparison to subsequent years. This profile positions the 1989 model in an early-phase context distinct from the mid-generation reliability turbulence observed in 1996. Given the absence of crash or fire incidents in the federal record and the relatively narrow scope of reported issues compared to the generation’s later peak, the 1989 represents a reasonable acquisition choice within this Sidekick lineage, contingent upon verification of the electrical and seat belt systems.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
3
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
13
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 13 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Electrical System5
Seat Belts4
Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System1
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Visibility1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

95V103008Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 24/05/1995

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
N-Q-G-0452018-11-20SuspensionThis Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki…
9573L30011995-04-01Power TrainTORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC) CHUGGLE/HUNTING CONDITION.*SD
0204145Engine And Engine CoolingCORRECT COOLANT USAGE. *EH

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sidekick. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1989 Sidekick take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1989 Sidekick have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.