2003 Suzuki Aerio
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 11 of 36 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Suspension, Wheels & Tires include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 13 in 2002 to 36 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–2,500 | 2,500–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–26 | 23–25 | 23–24 | 23–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–23 / 28–30 | 21–23 / 26–29 | 21–22 / 26–28 | 21–22 / 26–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–355 | 355–386 | 370–386 | 370–386 | |
| Complaints filed | 13 | 36 | 14 | 22 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Suzuki Aerio have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Suzuki Aerio?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 11 of 36 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Suzuki Aerio get?
EPA rates it 23–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Suzuki Aerio?
EPA estimates $2,500–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 22 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 23 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 21 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION · Campaign 07V307000 · Jul 19, 2007
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.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD · Campaign 03V223000 · Jun 18, 2003
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, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE BODY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ADHESION BETWEEN THE PAINT APPLIED DURING THE SECOND-STAGE PAINTING PROCESS AND THE PAINT APPLIED DURING FINAL-STAGE PAINTING.
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.