The 2003 Suzuki Aerio has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 19,570 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the wheels. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN07V3070002007-07-1514,251 affected
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.
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.
VISIBILITY03V2230002003-06-165,319 affected
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,…
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.
Complaints by component
WHEELS:RIM
5
1crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
2
TIRES
2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
1
Total complaints42
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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.”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Suzuki Aerio as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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