2003 Suzuki Aerio Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2003 Suzuki Aerio, and owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2003 Suzuki Aerio
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Manual transmission (power train)
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.
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.
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Windshield (visibility)
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…
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…
36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2003 Suzuki Aerio have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 6 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 34,808 miles. Complaints peaked in 2004 with 11 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 2, 2014 · Engine
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 15, 2012 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2003 Suzuki Aerio (Aerio 4WD, Aerio SX, Aerio SX 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 23–25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 21–23 / 26–29 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Suzuki Aerio model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Suzuki Aerio model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Suzuki Aerio | 2 | 13 |
| 2003 Suzuki Aerio | 2 | 36 |
| 2004 Suzuki Aerio | 1 | 14 |
| 2005 Suzuki Aerio | 1 | 22 |
| 2006 Suzuki Aerio | 1 | 27 |
| 2007 Suzuki Aerio | 0 | 3 |
Checking a specific 2003 Suzuki Aerio
How do I know if my 2003 Suzuki Aerio has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2003 Suzuki Aerio; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Suzuki dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V223000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Suzuki models
- Forenza907 complaints
- Grand Vitara639 complaints
- SX4312 complaints
- Sidekick221 complaints
- XL7217 complaints
- Verona216 complaints
- Reno173 complaints
- XL-7163 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.