2004 Suzuki Aerio

Routine

Owners filed 14 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Tires5
200
Suspension › Rear2
000
Power Train2
101
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Equipment1
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)1
000
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Manual Transmission07V307000
Filed Jul 15, 200714,251 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.

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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Jan 22, 2026220,886 milesNC

The contact owns a 2004 Suzuki Aerio. The contact stated that the gear shifter was loose. The gear shifter was shifted, but the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,886.

Power TrainCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 19, 201920 milesPR

THE 'PARKING' TRANSMISSION. I REALLY SCARY WHIT THIS CAR. I PUT THE CAR IN PARKING AND HE GO IN REVERSE AND HIT ME.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 8, 2018138,300 milesNC

TECH. ADVISED REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE IMPROPER (SHAPE) OF CLIP. RECALL AUG. 13, 2007. FILED WRONG VIN NUMBER ORIGINALLY GIVEN #11109578 7/5/18

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 5, 2018138,000 milesNC

TAKATA RECALL GEAR SHIFT CABLE IMPROPER SHAPE OF THE CLIP. RECALL AUG,13,2007

Equipment
Filed Nov 25, 200920,000 milesOH

MY 2004 SUZUKI AERIO SX'S GAS PEDAL WILL BECOME TRAPPED UNDER THE FLOORMAT IF IT'S PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. I'VE HAD THIS LOOKED AT BY MY DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED. NOPE, STILL DOES IT. THE PROBLEM IS THE RETAINING PIN FOR THE DRIVERS FLOOR MAT IS POORLY MADE AND DOESN'T KEEP THE FLOORMAT IN PLACE ALLOWING IT TO SLIDE FORWARD AND JAM THE PEDAL DOWN. VERY EXCITING.*TR

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Nov 27, 200755,000 milesIA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI AERIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE WAL-MART MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BATTERY EXPANDED AND COULD EXPLODE. HE TESTED THE BATTERY AND STATED THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BATTERY AND STATED THAT THE CRANKS TESTED AT 300, BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT 750. THE ENGINE LIGHT NO LONGER ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT PAID $76 FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND STATED THAT THE BATTERY SHOULD LAST SEVEN YEARS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

TiresCrash
Filed Sep 2, 200714,000 milesPA

I OWN A 2004 SUZUKI AERIO AWD. THE CAR SEEMED ON THE BRINK OF HYDROPLANING AT LOW RATES OF SPEED. AT 14,000 MILES THE REAR TIRES WERE COMPLETELY BALD AND I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP ATTRIBUTED THIS TO LACK OF ROTATION. LOCAL TIRE SHOPS STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR. A FULL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED AND REGULAR ROTATION RECOMMENDED. I HAD THE CAR ALIGNED AND TIRES ROTATED EVERY 5,00 MILES. AGAIN, I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES AT 42,000 MILES AFTER SLIDING OFF THE ROAD AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED (LESS THAN 10 MPH) AND INTO A CURB. THE CONDITIONS WERE SLIPPERY AND SNOWY. AT 50,000 MILES, I HAD MY CAR INSPECTED AND A TIRE IS STARTING TO WEAR ON THE OUTSIDE RIM AT AN UNUSUAL RATE. THIS COMPROMISES THE BELT AND TRACTION OF THE TIRES. THIS CAR IS A MAJOR HAZARD BECAUSE IT MAY NOT EVEN ABLE TO GO 12 MONTHS BETWEEN INSPECTIONS OR 3 MONTHS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES WITHOUT TIRES GOING BALD OR BLOWING OUT. THERE HAS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR AT UNUSUALLY HIGH RATES: EITHER THE TIRE SIZE OR SURROUNDING STRUCTURES. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. I WOULD HAVE PURCHASED A SAFER CAR BUT CANNOT FINANCIALLY DO SO AT THIS TIME. THE CAR HAS NOT HAD ANY OTHER PROBLEMS ACCEPT A FEW COSMETIC ISSUES. PLEASE REVIEW THIS CLAIM. *TR

Tires
Filed May 14, 200714,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI AERIO. THE CONTACT PLACED BRAND NEW REAR TIRES ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ALIGNMENT FAILED AT 14,000 MILES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FACTORY IMPROPERLY ALIGNING THE VEHICLE'S REAR END. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT NEEDS TO HAVE THE FRONT TIRES AND BUSHINGS REPLACED FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 18,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED COPIES OF THE REPAIR INVOICES. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE PASSENGER AND DRIVER MIRRORS ARE LOOSE, TAIL LIGHT HAS MOISTURE, WINDSHIELDS LEAK, TIRES ARE KNOTTED AND CLICK, PASSENGER HAS TO HOLD SEATBELT, AND POPPING NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. UPDATED 06/15/07 *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Feb 22, 200712,000 milesNY

TL*- CONTACT BOUGHT THE 2004 SUZUKI AERIO IN MARCH 2004, AND AT THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE HAD YOKOHAMA TIRES. AT 12,000 MILES ALL 4 TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TREAD WAS WEARING OUT. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THAT THE TIRES WERE FAULTY SO SHE REPLACED THEM WITH 4 NEW MICHELIN TIRES. AT 14,000 MILES THE TREAD WAS WEARING OUT ON ALL 4 TIRES. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A REAR ALIGNMENT, AND THAT THEY WOULD ALSO REPLACE ALL THE TIRES. THEY REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH MICHELIN TIRES, AND AT 12,000 MILES THE CONTACT TOOK EHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THAT BOTH REAR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48000.*AK

TiresCrash
Filed Mar 7, 200623,000 milesNY

MY REAR ALIGNMENT IS OFF SO IN OCTOBER OF 2005 I TOOK IT IN TO GET FIXED AS MY REAR TIRES APPEARED TO BE WEARING AT AN UNUSUAL RATE AND PATTERN. PROBLEM WAS SAID TO BE IN SOME SUZUKI AERIO'S BUT WAS SAID TO BE FIXED. THE SPECS WERE OFF AND HAD TO BE RESET AND REAR TIRES WARRANTED. ON JANUARY 5TH I TOOK CAR IN TO GET OIL CHANGED AND ROTATION OF TIRES. THEY WOULD NOT ROTATE AS BACK TIRES WERE WORN AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT BACK WHERE I GOT IT FIXED THE PREVIOUS TIME. ON JANUARY 20TH REAR ALIGNMENT FIXED AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY HAD TO BEND SOMETHING (A STRUT ?) IN ORDER TO GET THE SPECS RIGHT ON THE CAR. I WENT OFF THE ROAD WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND WENT INTO A DITCH. NO DAMAGE. THEN ON JANUARY 31TH NEW TIRES PUT ON THE FRONT AND OLD ONES ROTATED TO THE BACK. THE OLD ONES WERE FROM OCTOBER AND WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION PER SUZUKI DEALERSHIP. THE TIRES ARE AGAIN WORN TO THE POINT OF UNSAFE. I CAN NOT DRIVE ON DRY ROADS WITHOUT HAVING A PROBLEM. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY DEFECT AND THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT IT IS FOR ME TO BUY NEW TIRES EVERY MONTH. THE TIRES WORN DOWN COMPLETELY FROM EXCELLENT TO SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING ON THEM IN 2,000 MILES AND JUST OVER A MONTH. *JB

Tires
Filed Mar 2, 2006CA

I PURCHASED MY AERIO OCT 2004 AND NOW MARCH 2006 HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES 3 TIMES THIS HAS BEEN COSTLY WE HAVE HAD IT REALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES AND RE-BALANCED BUT THE TIRES STILL WEAR RAPIDLY. *JB

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jun 16, 200516,071 milesCA

2004 SUZUKI AERIO TIRES ARE SUFFERING FROM PREMATURE WEAR. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS WRITING ON THE BEHALF OF HER MOTHER. THE REAR TOE ON THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN ADJUSTED. THE PROBLEM MAY DUE TO A MANUFACTURING AND OR ENGINEERING DEFECT. TSB#0304145 THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT. *SC *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 6, 2005PR

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. *AK *BF *NM

Tires
Filed May 3, 200514,670 milesPA

I HAD THE TIRES INSPECTED LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO WHEN I HAD MY OIL CHANGED. NO MAJOR TREAD WEAR AND THEY PASSED SITE INSPECTION. I WAS EXITING A CONSTRUCTION ZONE GOING 35 MPH WHEN THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY LEAVE THE ROAD THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT OF THE TIRE AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE RIM. ON INSPECTION AFTER TIRE WAS CHANGED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WAS COMPLETELY BALD ALSO AND DOWN TO THE THREADS

14 of 14 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20073000Routine
200627100Routine
200522130Routine
2004 — this page14100Routine
200336210Routine
200213200Routine

Compare every Aerio year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 15, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.