2002 Suzuki Aerio Problems and Recalls (12 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2002 Suzuki Aerio is Suspension (33% of 12 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Suspension — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 12 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 2002 Suzuki Aerio?

4 of 12 filings named Suspension (33% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Brakes (3 reports).

There are 2 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras and Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The previous year is not published here. Use the year list to jump around.

What to check before you buy a 2002 Suzuki Aerio

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 2 campaigns on file below.
  2. Suspension. Listen for clunks over bumps and look at tire wear for alignment issues.
  3. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  4. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Suspension. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Suspension 4 complaints · 33.3% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 2
  • Fires 0
  • Injuries 0
  • Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Suspension (SUSPENSION) appears in 4 of 12 owner complaints (33.3%) in this vehicle snapshot. Suspension (SUSPENSION): 4 complaints, 33.3% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 2 crash reports 4 · 33.3% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 3 complaints, 25.0% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 3 · 25.0% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 2 complaints, 16.7% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 2 · 16.7% Engine (ENGINE): 1 complaints, 8.3% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 · 8.3% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 1 complaints, 8.3% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 · 8.3% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 1 complaints, 8.3% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 1 · 8.3% Wheels (WHEELS): 1 complaints, 8.3% of reports Wheels (WHEELS) 1 · 8.3% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 9 complaints, 75.0% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 2 crash reports 9 · 75.0% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 4 33.3% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 3 25.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 2 16.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 1 8.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 8.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 1 8.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Wheels (WHEELS) 1 8.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 9 75.0% 2 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2003; the first recall shown was reported in Jun 2003. 2003-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2004-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jun 2003 Jan 2017 Recall campaign 03V223000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V223000 Recall campaign 07V307000 ◆ Recall campaign 07V307000
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2003-Q3 Owner reports 1
2003-Q4 Owner reports 2
2004-Q1 Owner reports 3
2004-Q2 Owner reports 1
2005-Q1 Owner reports 1
2006-Q2 Owner reports 1
2007-Q2 Owner reports 1
2007-Q4 Owner reports 1
2017-Q1 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 03V223000
Recall campaign 1 07V307000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (2)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras and Transmission / driveline.

  1. Recall campaign 03V223000

    Glass / wipers / cameras

    Report date
    Component:
    Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  2. Recall campaign 07V307000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 12 complaints · page 1 of 1
2017-02-06Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 10949707
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI AERIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS IN TRAFFIC, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE EMITTED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,663.
2007-12-21Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
NHTSA ODI 10212483
CrashFireInjuryDeath
QUITE A FEW OF THE SCREWS OR GROMMETS THAT HOLD THE BODY PARTS ONTO MY CAR HAVE FELL OUT. MY FRONT BUMPER WAS BARELY BUMPED AND IT BROKE ONE OF THE CLIPS ON THE BUMPER AND IS NOW TIED UP WITH A SHOE STRING. MY A/C COMPRESSOR HAS ALREADY HAD TO BE REPLACED AND FOR SOME REASON THE COOLING FANS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE STRUCTURE ON THIS CAR IS POOR. THE LOCK TO THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOW JUST SPINS NOW, SO IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRUNKS LOCK DUE TO SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH ALSO DUE TO KEY NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. CLIPS FROM BOTH BUMPERS HAVE FALLEN OFF FOR NO REASON. I EXPECTED MORE FROM A SUZUKI CAR. I BELILEVE THIS WILL BE MY LAST PURCHASE FROM THEM. *TR
2007-04-19Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10188356
CrashFireInjuryDeath
1. THE SCREWS THAT HOLD THE DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY SIMPLY FELL OUT OF THE DOOR 2. PASSENGER FRONT DOOR ONLY OPENS WHEN IT WANTS, LOCK STICKS 3. BODY PART SCREWS HAVE FALLEN OFF OF THE CAR CAUSING BODY PARTS TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. 4. SCREWS HOLDING FRONT BUMPER ON FELL OUT AND BUMPER FELL OFF. 5. TRUNK LOCK SIMPLY TURNS IN CIRCULAR MOTION WHEN TRYING TO OPEN WITH A KEY 6. PASSENGER FRONT DOOR SOMETIMES WILL NOT STAY CLOSED DUE TO LOCK ASSEMBLY NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY 7. CAR WILL NOT GO INTO 4TH GEAR WITHOUT WARMING UP, YET ALL SYSTEMS CHECK OK WHEN TESTED AT MECHANIC SHOPS. NO ONE WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE I BOUGHT IT USED FORM A DEALER. THEY SAY THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *JB
2006-04-04Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 10154483
CrashFireInjuryDeath
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAT SHIELD BOLTS ON THE MOTOR CONTINUALLY BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TIGHTENING OF BOLTS SEVERAL TIMES.
2005-02-22Suspension (SUSPENSION)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10112844
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHILE TURNING RIGHT AT 45 MPH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SNAPPED. CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL AND HIT A POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 02/09/06. *JB
2004-05-07Suspension (SUSPENSION)Unclassified NHTSA leftoverWheels (WHEELS)
NHTSA ODI 10072297
CrashFireInjuryDeath
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK
2004-02-19Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10053357
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHEN BRAKING THERE IS A GRINDING AND OR POPPING NOISE. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS SOFTER THAN NORMAL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 4 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK THE CONSUMER NOTICED A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND PULSATION IN THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL. SUZUKI ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT THEY WEREN'T SURE OF HOW TO RESOLVE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME WHEN TRAVELING AT CERTAIN ANGLES BOTH ON AND OFF RAMP. *SC
2004-01-13Suspension (SUSPENSION)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10053089
CrashFireInjuryDeath
HAD WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED ON VEHICLE AT 12,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 30,000 MILES. AT 42,000 MILES AXLE BROKE AT THE WHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH AND CAUSE $4,400.00 IN DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END.
2004-01-05Suspension (SUSPENSION)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10053404
CrashFireInjuryDeath
CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY AS SHE WAS EXITING ONTO A RAMP. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL CAME TO HER RESCUE. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO A SUZUKI DEALER, AND CHECKED, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT BALL JOINTS FELL OUT. *AK
2003-12-02Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10049928
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIED. THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2002 Suzuki Aerio?

Owners named Suspension most often — 4 of 12 reports (33%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Suzuki Aerio?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras and Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2002 Suzuki Aerio?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Listen for clunks over bumps and look at tire wear for alignment issues. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources