NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
11 reportsClear category filter82,000 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
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
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
54,400 miles · Aug 5, 2006
Power Train
I OWN A 2003 AERIO SUZUKI SX 5-SPEED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT'S BEEN POPPING OUT OF 5TH GEAR AND INTO NEUTRAL. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. THEY SAID THEY TEST DROVE IT AND COULD NOT "DUPLICATE CONCERN". THE VERY RUDE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME EVEN IF PROBLEM WAS FOUND THEY DO NOT HAVE EQUIPMENT TO REPAIR IT AN…
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I OWN A 2003 AERIO SUZUKI SX 5-SPEED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT'S BEEN POPPING OUT OF 5TH GEAR AND INTO NEUTRAL. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. THEY SAID THEY TEST DROVE IT AND COULD NOT "DUPLICATE CONCERN". THE VERY RUDE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME EVEN IF PROBLEM WAS FOUND THEY DO NOT HAVE EQUIPMENT TO REPAIR IT AND TO TAKE IT SOMEPLACE ELSE. SHE ALSO MADE A COMMENT ABOUT NOT NEEDING "FREE WORK",LEADING ME TO BELIEVE BECAUSE IT IS UNDER WARRANTY, THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO EXTENSIVE WORK FOR FREE!! I CALLED SUZUKI AND THEY SAID MOST DEALERS PROBABLY WOULDN'T TEST DRIVE IT MORE THAN 20 MILES AND IT IS HARD TO FIX AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND TO TRY ANOTHER DEALER. DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND HAVING GEARS POP OUT SHOULD GET MORE ATTENTION THAN AN" INTERMITTENT PROBLEM". OTHER DEALERS ARE MORE THAN 30 MILES AWAY AND HARD TO LEAVE VEHICLE THERE. I READ ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM ON LINE AND ONE OF THE PEOPLE 'S DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS PREMATURE WEAR IN THE 5TH GEAR SYNCHRO ASSEMBLY AND REPAIRED HIS VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10164609
257 miles · Jun 22, 2005
Power Train
DT: 2003 SUZUKI AERIO, VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED UNLESS THE CONSUMER PULLS VEHICLE FORWARD FIRST, THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ALL THE TIME, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DIRECTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAID THE CABLE BUSTED. THEN THE DEALER CHANGED A CABLE CORD. THIS STIL…
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DT: 2003 SUZUKI AERIO, VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED UNLESS THE CONSUMER PULLS VEHICLE FORWARD FIRST, THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ALL THE TIME, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DIRECTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAID THE CABLE BUSTED. THEN THE DEALER CHANGED A CABLE CORD. THIS STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. TO DEALER, CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE A SECOND TIME, AND DEALER CHANGED OUT THE GEAR BOX, THIS STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10126245
27,961 miles · Mar 2, 2005
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND MAKING A TURN DRIVER TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED. THE LEFT FRONT CV AXLE CAME OUT OF THE TRANS AXLE. THE CLIP CAME OUT OF THE CV JOINT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME IMMOBILE. OWNER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10113294
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK.......PROBLEM HAPPENED EVERY TIME CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN 5TH GEAR. DEALER REPAIRED IT, BUT PROBLEM RECURR…
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WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK.......PROBLEM HAPPENED EVERY TIME CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN 5TH GEAR. DEALER REPAIRED IT, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED, THOUGH NOT AS REGULARLY. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR IT, CLAIMING CAR IS OPERATING WITHIN SPECS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10101981
23,000 miles · Apr 28, 2004
Power Train
AT APPROX. 23,000 MILES FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. WITH IN 20 MILES AFTER REPAIR FAILED AGAIN, AND HAS DONE SO FOR THE NEXT FIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE DEALER & OR SUZUKI REPRESENITIVES DON'T NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS SITUATION, ON THIS 2003 SUZUKI. THIS CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I FEEL THEY ARE STALLING HOPING TO WARE…
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AT APPROX. 23,000 MILES FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. WITH IN 20 MILES AFTER REPAIR FAILED AGAIN, AND HAS DONE SO FOR THE NEXT FIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE DEALER & OR SUZUKI REPRESENITIVES DON'T NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS SITUATION, ON THIS 2003 SUZUKI. THIS CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I FEEL THEY ARE STALLING HOPING TO WARE ME DOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10067985
13,000 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Power Train
GEAR DOESN'T SHIFT UNTIL REACHING 60 MPH. DEALER STATES THAT IS NORMAL PROCEDURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10065429
Official recalls
2Jul 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.
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 ↗