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2003 Suzuki Aerio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

24 reports with mileage · 12 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Wheels. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

36 reports
15,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
EngineFire

STARTED THE CAR TO WARM IT UP, AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF DASH BOARD, MAKING GLASS WHERE SPEEDOMETER IS SMOKEY AND IT STILL IS. SMELT LIKE WIRE BURNING AND SHUT IT OFF IMMEDIATELY. WHEN CHECKED ON, A WIRE INSULATION HAD BURNT OFF CAUSING THE SMOKE AND SMELL. AFTER REPLACING THE WIRE COATING, IT WAS FINE FOR A WHILE, THEN COMING BAC…

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STARTED THE CAR TO WARM IT UP, AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF DASH BOARD, MAKING GLASS WHERE SPEEDOMETER IS SMOKEY AND IT STILL IS. SMELT LIKE WIRE BURNING AND SHUT IT OFF IMMEDIATELY. WHEN CHECKED ON, A WIRE INSULATION HAD BURNT OFF CAUSING THE SMOKE AND SMELL. AFTER REPLACING THE WIRE COATING, IT WAS FINE FOR A WHILE, THEN COMING BACK FROM A TRIP TO AUGUSTA THE SPEEDOMETER NUMBER GOT DIMMER, BUT I DID NOT SMELL ANY SMOKE. SO NOT SURE WHAT THE DEFECT IS, JUST KNOW THIS CAN'T BE RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640942

82,000 miles · May 15, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI AERIO SX WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION DISLODGED FROM THE FIFTH GEAR WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI AERIO SX WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION DISLODGED FROM THE FIFTH GEAR WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE FIFTH GEAR OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FIFTH GEAR WAS EXTERNALLY HOUSED, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE REMAINING GEARS WERE ALL INTERNALLY HOUSED AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND REPAIRS WERE AGAIN PERFORMED. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE CONTINUOUSLY RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #10458571

10,586 miles · Jun 6, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI AERIO SX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN IT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE DOOR HANDLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,586 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ODI #10404571

61,000 miles · Dec 23, 2010
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS AND IT SEEMS IT NEVER ENDS. SERIOUS POWER STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSES A LOT OF INCONVENIENCES FOR A SINGLE MOTHER LIKE ME, TAKEN TO SOME SHOPS, MONEY WASTED ON NOTHING BECAUSE IT SEEMS THIS IS ONE OF THE WEAKEST AND WORST PROBLEMS A SUZUKI AERIO 2003 COULD HAVE. CHECKED ON T…

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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS AND IT SEEMS IT NEVER ENDS. SERIOUS POWER STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSES A LOT OF INCONVENIENCES FOR A SINGLE MOTHER LIKE ME, TAKEN TO SOME SHOPS, MONEY WASTED ON NOTHING BECAUSE IT SEEMS THIS IS ONE OF THE WEAKEST AND WORST PROBLEMS A SUZUKI AERIO 2003 COULD HAVE. CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND ALL OF THEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ! *LN

NHTSA ODI #10372230

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2009
Tires

THE REASON IS THAT I BOUGHT ONE USED GOOD YEAR TIRE BUT I JUST RUN ON HIGH WAY FOR FEW MILES ONLY IT WAS SERIOUSLY FLAT ON LAST SATURDAY (MAY 9, 2009). I DID NOT KNOW WHY AN INFERIOR TIRE WOULD BE SOLD IN THE STORE, WHEN I PURCHASED IT SEEMS VERY GOOD LIKE A NEW GOOD YEAR TIRE, AND I WAS NOTICED I NEED TO PAY FOR REPLACE IT. I N…

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THE REASON IS THAT I BOUGHT ONE USED GOOD YEAR TIRE BUT I JUST RUN ON HIGH WAY FOR FEW MILES ONLY IT WAS SERIOUSLY FLAT ON LAST SATURDAY (MAY 9, 2009). I DID NOT KNOW WHY AN INFERIOR TIRE WOULD BE SOLD IN THE STORE, WHEN I PURCHASED IT SEEMS VERY GOOD LIKE A NEW GOOD YEAR TIRE, AND I WAS NOTICED I NEED TO PAY FOR REPLACE IT. I NOTICED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE SOMETHING WAS MELTED---A FLIMSY PIECE OF MATERIAL. COULD YOUR OFFICE INVESTIGATE THOSE PROBLEMS, BECAUSE IF THOSE TIRES WERE EQUIPPED TO THE FRONT OF THE CARS WOULD CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS ON THE HIGH WAY?. COULD YOU INVESTIGATE WHY THEY HAVE/SELL THOSE INFERIOR TIRES? THE USED TIRE STORE INFORMATION: AFFORDABLE TIRE & WHEELS; 12099 BALLAIRE BLVD, HOUSTON, TX 77072. *TR WENLUO ZHANG

NHTSA ODI #10268657

60,000 miles · Dec 13, 2008
Power Train

2003 SUZUKI AERIO CV JOINT KEEPS COMING OUT DUE TO SNAP RING IN REAR END,CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. CAR DEALER WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY,SAYS REAR AXLE IS A AFTER MARKET PART, THIS IS NOT TRUE,WHY WOULD WE HAVE CAR WORKED ON WHEN UNDER WARRANTY, WE ARE THIRD OWNER OF CAR AND KNOW THE TWO PREVIOUS OWNERS WHICH IS A FATHER AND SON,THEY …

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2003 SUZUKI AERIO CV JOINT KEEPS COMING OUT DUE TO SNAP RING IN REAR END,CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. CAR DEALER WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY,SAYS REAR AXLE IS A AFTER MARKET PART, THIS IS NOT TRUE,WHY WOULD WE HAVE CAR WORKED ON WHEN UNDER WARRANTY, WE ARE THIRD OWNER OF CAR AND KNOW THE TWO PREVIOUS OWNERS WHICH IS A FATHER AND SON,THEY ARE ADAMANT NO WORK HAS BEEN DONE ON THIS CAR,THEY WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO GET FIXED SINCE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, ITS VERY EASY FOR THE MECHANIC TO GET SOME REAR END AXLE AND SAY IT CAME OUT OF MY CAR ,JUST TO AVOID FIXING MY CAR,THEIR CLAIM IS IF SOMEONE ELSE WORKED ON THIS CAR THAT VOIDS THE WARRANTY, SO THIS IS THEIR CONVENIENT WAY OF GETTING OUT OF FIXING MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251693

65,000 miles · Aug 28, 2008
Wheels

CRACKING AND BENDING OF RIM WHERE THE TIRE BEAD SEALS,HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THREE DIFFERENT RIMS IN THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240139

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2008
Tires

I AM WRITING IN REFERENCE TO TIRE DEBRIS BEING LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF NEW YORK'S HIGHWAYS. THESE SITUATIONS CREATE HAZARDOUS ROAD CONDITIONS AND SHOULD BE HANDLED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES. TODAY, I WAS TRAVELING ON 495 GOING WEST AND A HUGE TIRE WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE LANE, I WAS NOT ABLE TO SWERVE SO IT CREATED DAMAGE …

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I AM WRITING IN REFERENCE TO TIRE DEBRIS BEING LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF NEW YORK'S HIGHWAYS. THESE SITUATIONS CREATE HAZARDOUS ROAD CONDITIONS AND SHOULD BE HANDLED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES. TODAY, I WAS TRAVELING ON 495 GOING WEST AND A HUGE TIRE WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE LANE, I WAS NOT ABLE TO SWERVE SO IT CREATED DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE OF WHICH I AM SEEKING TO B E COMPENSATED. PLEASE CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10234856

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI AERIO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V307000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION). THE DEALER IS GIVING THE CONTACT THE RUN AROUND. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER HAS THE PART, BUT THE DEALER STATED OTHERWISE. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO SPEAK WITH T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI AERIO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V307000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION). THE DEALER IS GIVING THE CONTACT THE RUN AROUND. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER HAS THE PART, BUT THE DEALER STATED OTHERWISE. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO SPEAK WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS NOT RETURNED HIS PHONE CALLS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN CALLING TO CONFIRM THE PART IS AVAILABLE ALWAYS RECEIVES THE RUN AROUND FROM THE DEALER. UPDATED 02/19/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215896

108,575 miles · Dec 28, 2007
Power Train

DRIVING HOME ON I-72 WESTBOUND FROM CHAMPAIGN, IL. 2003 SUZUKI AERIO HAD BEEN IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE AT 65MPH. TOOK OFF CRUISE TO PASS A SEMI TRAILER. CAR ENGINE REVVED UP AND DOWN RESULTING IN NO POWER FOR A MOMENT. WAS ABLE TO PULL BACK IN BEHIND SEMI, ALLOWING CAR FOLLOWING ME TO GO AROUND. LOST ALL POWER, BUT WAS ABLE TO PUL…

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DRIVING HOME ON I-72 WESTBOUND FROM CHAMPAIGN, IL. 2003 SUZUKI AERIO HAD BEEN IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE AT 65MPH. TOOK OFF CRUISE TO PASS A SEMI TRAILER. CAR ENGINE REVVED UP AND DOWN RESULTING IN NO POWER FOR A MOMENT. WAS ABLE TO PULL BACK IN BEHIND SEMI, ALLOWING CAR FOLLOWING ME TO GO AROUND. LOST ALL POWER, BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL SAFELY OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER JUST EAST OF THE EXIT RAMP TO RT 47. CAR WAS TOWED IN TO SHOP IN CLINTON, IL. MECHANIC LOOKED UP TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TS 02 06284- M/T LEFT DRIVESHAFT POPS OUT OF FINAL DRIVE. CAR HAS JUST OVER 108,000 MILES, SO IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY FATAL SITUATION TO HAVE BEEN IN. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS BECOMING A PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO SUZUKI VIA THEIR 800-934-0934 NUMBER. CASE NUMBER IS 1-140908504. THEY STATED THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO COVER ANY COSTS BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF THE 7 YEAR/100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. REASON FOR SUBMITTING THIS COMPLIANT- TO MAKE NSHTA AWARE OF A POTENTIALLY FATAL SITUATION WITH THE SUZUKI AERIO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10213043

Official recalls

2

07V307000 · Power Train:manual Transmission

Jul 15, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, DUE TO IMPROPER SHAPE OF THE CLIP, THE RETAINING CLIP THAT KEEPS THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE ATTACHED TO THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAN CONTACT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER HOUSING IF EXCESSIVE LATERAL FORCE IS APPLIED WHEN SHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: REPEATED SHIFTING IN THIS MANNER CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE RETAINING CLIP TO BREAK. IF THE RETAINING CLIP BREAKS, THE SHIFT CABLE CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE SHIFT LEVER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE ABILITY TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION GEARS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE RETAINING CLIP WITH A CLIP THAT HAS A DIFFERENT SHAPE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AMERICAN SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

03V223000 · Visibility:windshield

Jun 16, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF UNBELTED OCCUPANTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PAINT ADHESION WILL EITHER HAVE THE PROBLEM REMEDIED BY REPAINTING, OR WILL BE REPLACED, OR REPURCHASED AND DESTROYED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.