2003 Suzuki Aerio Problems
- Complaints
- 36filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 25,480miles, 24 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Suzuki Aerio (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2003 Suzuki Aerio. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 11 complaints (31% of the total), followed by wheels (6) and brakes (3). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 25,480 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Wheels6 17%
- Brakes3 8.3%
- Electrical system2 5.6%
- Engine cooling2 5.6%
- Steering2 5.6%
- Tires2 5.6%
- Air bags1 2.8%
- Engine1 2.8%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “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 complaint #10067985, filed 2004-04, 23,000 milesWheels: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10062286, filed 2004-03, 14,250 milesBrakes: “Development of brake shake under normal conditions, I.e. Usage under 15,000 miles annually; warped front discs due to inferior manufacture/materials; attempted to resolve under warranty; advised by several dealerships to have brake pads changed again, normal brake pad seating reaction, other lies, etc.”
NHTSA complaint #10162993, filed 2006-07, 30,000 milesElectrical system: “En marzo del 2003, esta servidora compro un Aerio sx gris del 2003 en el. Concesionario de nimay susuki en vega baja, puerto rico. Al los seis meses. Aproximadamente de estar utilizando el vehiculo este comenz a reflejar fallas. Hasta que se apaga mientras est en movimiento. El mismo comienza con un leve temblor en el gua y en segundos se apaga. Ya lleva dos visitas al dealer para correccin del problema, pero recientemente, el viernes, 5 de noviembre de 2004, me ocurri un serio percance bajando una cuesta. …”
NHTSA complaint #10098457, filed 2004-11, 22,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 14,250 and 58,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 Suzuki Aerio version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerio FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 22 | 28 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Aerio FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Aerio 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Aerio SX FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 22 | 28 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Aerio SX FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Aerio SX 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 07V307000Jul 15, 2007Power train › Manual transmissionCovers: Suzuki Aerio 2002–2006
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…
- 03V223000Jun 16, 2003Visibility › WindshieldCovers: Suzuki Aerio 2002–2003, Grand Vitara XL-7 2002–2003, Grand Vitara 2002–2003 +1 more
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…
Recall details for the 2003 Suzuki Aerio → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 6 on record; the latest 6 are shown.
- 10216558Jul 8, 2022Suspension, Body and structure. 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.
- 10152052Nov 20, 2018Suspension, Equipment. 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…
- 10028704May 1, 2009Transmission and drivetrain. 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.
- 10018839Jan 19, 2006Engine cooling. In extreme cold climates, the malfunction indicator lamp may be on when the engine is started. The dtc p2025 will be stored in the ecm.
- 10015941Aug 17, 2005Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Driver and/or passenger side mirror loose. Suzuki aerio (rh420/rh423)
- 10015909Aug 16, 2005Engine cooling. Modification of main bearing oil clearance and the bearing selection procedure. 2002-2005 suzuki aero-rh420/rh423
Other model years of the Suzuki Aerio
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 27 | 23,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 22 | 17,598 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 2004 | 14 | 18,036 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 36 | 25,480 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 13 | 27,000 | 2 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Suzuki Aerio have?
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2003 Suzuki Aerio as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Suzuki Aerio is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 11 complaints (31% of the total), followed by wheels with 6.
Has the 2003 Suzuki Aerio been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Suzuki Aerio get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Suzuki Aerio (Aerio, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Suzuki Aerio reported?
Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 25,480 miles and the middle half falls between 14,250 and 58,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.