2003 Suzuki Aerio Problems and Recalls (34 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2003 Suzuki Aerio is Transmission / driveline (32% of 34 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 34 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 2003 Suzuki Aerio?

11 of 34 filings named Transmission / driveline (32% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Wheels (7 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 2002 has 12 reports on file; this year has 34. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2003 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. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  3. Wheels. Look for bent rims, missing lug nuts and vibration at speed.
  4. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. 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: Transmission / driveline 11 complaints · 32.4% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 3
  • Fires 1
  • Injuries 6
  • Deaths 0
All Suzuki Aerio years →
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 Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) appears in 11 of 34 owner complaints (32.4%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 11 complaints, 32.4% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 11 · 32.4% Wheels (WHEELS): 7 complaints, 20.6% of reports Wheels (WHEELS) 2 crash reports 7 · 20.6% Engine (ENGINE): 3 complaints, 8.8% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 fire reports 3 · 8.8% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 3 complaints, 8.8% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 3 · 8.8% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 1 complaints, 2.9% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 crash reports 1 · 2.9% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 1 complaints, 2.9% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 · 2.9% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 1 complaints, 2.9% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 · 2.9% Steering (STEERING): 1 complaints, 2.9% of reports Steering (STEERING) 1 · 2.9% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 1 complaints, 2.9% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 · 2.9% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 27 complaints, 79.4% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 3 crash reports 27 · 79.4% 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)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 11 32.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Wheels (WHEELS) 7 20.6% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 3 8.8% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 3 8.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 2.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 2.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 2.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 1 2.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 2.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 27 79.4% 3 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: 1 owner reports 1 2004-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2004-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2004-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2005-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2005-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2006-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jun 2003 Oct 2014 Recall campaign 03V223000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V223000 Recall campaign 07V307000 ◆ Recall campaign 07V307000
  • Campaign 07V307000 was reported 1,312 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2003-Q3 Owner reports 1
2003-Q4 Owner reports 1
2004-Q1 Owner reports 1
2004-Q2 Owner reports 6
2004-Q3 Owner reports 2
2004-Q4 Owner reports 2
2005-Q1 Owner reports 3
2005-Q2 Owner reports 4
2005-Q3 Owner reports 1
2006-Q2 Owner reports 2
2006-Q3 Owner reports 2
2007-Q2 Owner reports 1
2007-Q4 Owner reports 1
2008-Q1 Owner reports 1
2008-Q3 Owner reports 1
2008-Q4 Owner reports 1
2010-Q4 Owner reports 1
2011-Q2 Owner reports 1
2012-Q2 Owner reports 1
2014-Q4 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 9 of 34 complaints · page 1 of 2
2014-10-02Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 10640942
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2012-05-15Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 10458571
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2011-06-06Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10404571
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2010-12-23Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10372230
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2008-12-13Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10251693
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2008-08-28Wheels (WHEELS)
NHTSA ODI 10240139
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2008-01-24Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10215896
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2007-12-28Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10213043
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 [redacted] 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
2007-05-10Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 10190366
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI AERIO. OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW DAYS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE NOISE INTENSIFIED AS TIME PROGRESSED. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,000.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2003 Suzuki Aerio?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 11 of 34 reports (32%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2003 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 2003 Suzuki Aerio?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. 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