RoadVitals

2003 Suzuki Aerio

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
36
Latest Oct 2, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jul 15, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 36 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Suzuki Aerio, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, transmission and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 14 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Other / unspecified717.9%
  • Transmission717.9%
  • Powertrain (other)512.8%
  • Engine37.7%
  • Brakes37.7%
  • Electrical25.1%
  • Steering25.1%
  • Driver assistance25.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07V307000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Jul 15, 2007
14,251 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number MUView on NHTSA.gov
03V223000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Jun 16, 2003
5,319 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number ECView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 36
Engine
Filed Oct 2, 2014
Fire reported

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 ID
10640942
Incident
Sep 23, 2014
Mileage
15,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 15, 2012

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 ID
10458571
Incident
Sep 1, 2010
Mileage
82,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 6, 2011

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 ID
10404571
Incident
Mar 1, 2011
Mileage
10,586 mi
Filed Dec 23, 2010

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 ID
10372230
Incident
Oct 14, 2010
Mileage
61,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 13, 2009

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 ID
10268657
Incident
May 9, 2009
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Dec 13, 2008

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 ID
10251693
Incident
Dec 7, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 28, 2008

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 ID
10240139
Incident
Feb 16, 2005
Mileage
65,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 18, 2008

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 ID
10234856
Incident
Jul 18, 2008

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SUZ_016008

STRUCTURE; SUSPENSION

Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.

N-Q-G-045

EQUIPMENT; SUSPENSION

This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.

TSB-05-04289

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

SUZUKI: PARTS LIST FOR REPAIRING MANUAL TRANSAXLE 5TH GEAR CONCERNS SUCH AS POPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. WORN OR FAILED 5TH GEAR SYNCHRONIZER, 5TH GEAR, AND RELATED PARTS. *PE

0405174

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BULB REPLACEMENT. ALSO INCLUDES 2004 MODEL. *MJ

0103294

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ADDITION OF A NOTE TO THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTER ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS IN THE SERVICE MANUAL. *TT

0102274

SEAT BELTS

SLOW AND/OR INCOMPLETE RETRACTION OF SEAT BELTS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Suzuki Aerio by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2007300—
2006271037.1
2005221048.0
2004141053.6
2003Viewing362047.2
2002132048.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.