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.
The worst 2003 Suzuki Aerio problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission11
- Wheels6
- Brakes3
- Engine3
- Electrical2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission11
- Wheels6
- Brakes3
- Engine3
- Electrical2
- Steering2
- Tires2
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Driver assistance1
- Fuel system1
- Locks1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
Recalls 2
Power train: manual transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 07V307000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 03V223000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Suzuki Aerio 14
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts...
- This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile...
- Suzuki: parts list for repairing manual transaxle 5TH gear concerns such as popping out of gear while driving
- In extreme cold climates, the malfunction indicator lamp may be on when the engine is started
- Driver and/or passenger side mirror loose
- Modification of main bearing oil clearance and the bearing selection procedure
- Slow and/or incomplete retraction of seat belts
- Addition of a note to the manual transmission gear shifter assembly instructions in the service manual
- Aerio front brake pad
- Instrument cluster bulb replacement
2003 Suzuki Aerio fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 22-23 | 28-29 | 25 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 21 | 26 | 23 |
What 2003 Suzuki Aerio owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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 aerio 2003 could have. Checked on the internet and all of them have the same problem !
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 need to pay for replace it. I noticed the inside of the tire something was melted---a flimsy piece of material. Could your office investigate those problems, because if those tires were equipped to the front of the cars would cause serious problems on the high way?. Could you investigate why they have/sell those inferior tires? The used tire store information: affordable tire & wheels; 12099 ballaire blvd, houston, tx 77072. *tr wenluo zhang
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.
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.
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 to swerve so it created damage to my vehicle of which I am seeking to b e compensated. Please contact me regarding this matter. Thank you.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 suzuki aerio. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency 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
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 800‑934‑0934 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.
Compare the 2003 Suzuki Aerio
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Questions about the 2003 Suzuki Aerio
Is the 2003 Suzuki Aerio reliable?
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2003 Suzuki Aerio, 1.6 times a typical Aerio model year.
What is the 2003 Suzuki Aerio year score?
The 2003 Suzuki Aerio scores 57 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Suzuki Aerio: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Suzuki Aerio?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 11 complaints, typically around 54,400 miles. Next is wheels (6).
How many recalls does the 2003 Suzuki Aerio have?
2 recalls, covering power train and visibility.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Suzuki Aerio transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 07V307000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Suzuki Aerio get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Suzuki Aerio range from 23 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22-23 city and 28-29 highway.
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