In the late 1980s, Japanese automaker Suzuki sued Consumer Reports over a review of its new Samurai SUV for the U.S. market. The report claimed the vehicle could "easily" roll over during sharp maneuvers. Following the article, sales plummeted, even though the Samurai had been outselling the Jeep Wrangler by two-to-one in 1987.

Suzuki argued the testing methodology was flawed. According to the company, the Consumer Reports driver deliberately performed overly aggressive turns at high speeds to induce a rollover. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had previously noted it uses robotic systems for such tests, whereas Consumer Reports employed a human driver, which increases result variability.

Similar criticisms were leveled at the Isuzu Trooper, whose sales also declined. Isuzu exited the U.S. market in 2008 due to low profitability.

Ultimately, both parties agreed to drop the lawsuit. Suzuki acknowledged Consumer Reports' commitment to objectivity, and Consumers Union recognized the automaker's dedication to building safe vehicles.

This episode became a cautionary tale for the industry: a negative review can significantly impact sales, especially for niche SUVs. For buyers researching top-rated vehicles, it serves as a reminder of how crucial testing methods and the phrasing of conclusions can be.