Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
425–50K
650–75K
175–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
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
18,000 miles · May 28, 2004
WheelsCrashInjury
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2003 SUZUKI AERIO WITH MY INFANT GRAND DAUGHTER IN THE CAR AND THE RIM SNAPPED IN 2 PIECES AND THE WHOLE WHEEL FELL OFF AND THE CAR SLIP 175 FEET ON THE ROTOR. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT AND I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR ALL THE DAMAGES INCLUDING THE BOD…
Read full complaint
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2003 SUZUKI AERIO WITH MY INFANT GRAND DAUGHTER IN THE CAR AND THE RIM SNAPPED IN 2 PIECES AND THE WHOLE WHEEL FELL OFF AND THE CAR SLIP 175 FEET ON THE ROTOR. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT AND I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR ALL THE DAMAGES INCLUDING THE BODY WORK. I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR OVER 30 DAYS NO RENTAL CAR AND MY DAUGHTER'S BACK WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS RANDOMLY LIGHTING UP AND GOING OUT AND NO ONE SEEMS ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHY. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10073297
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…
Read full complaint
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
14,250 miles · Mar 15, 2004
Wheels
ALUMINIUM RIM FAILURE ON 2003 SUZUKI AERIO - RIM MANUFACTURERED BY ENKEI.AUGHTER REALIZED SOMETHING DID NOT FEEL RIGHT ON CAR AND TOLD HER TO TAKE IT TO LOCAL TIRE SHOP WE TRADE AT.TIRE SHOP SAID SHE COULD HAVE GOT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF SHE HAD NOT TAKEN IT IN.RIM CRACKED ON INBOARD SIDE AND CHUNK CAME OFF.TIRE DEALER SAID AP…
Read full complaint
ALUMINIUM RIM FAILURE ON 2003 SUZUKI AERIO - RIM MANUFACTURERED BY ENKEI.AUGHTER REALIZED SOMETHING DID NOT FEEL RIGHT ON CAR AND TOLD HER TO TAKE IT TO LOCAL TIRE SHOP WE TRADE AT.TIRE SHOP SAID SHE COULD HAVE GOT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF SHE HAD NOT TAKEN IT IN.RIM CRACKED ON INBOARD SIDE AND CHUNK CAME OFF.TIRE DEALER SAID APPEARS RIM HAD STRESS CRACK AND PIECE CAME OFF, RECOMMENDED THAT WE HAVE IT CHECKED BY A METALURGIST.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10062286
1,194 miles · Dec 11, 2003
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH CLUTCH FAILED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED IT WAS CONSUMER'S PROBLEM, CLUTCH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
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.
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.
2003 Suzuki Aerio Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration