AI Damage2002 Suzuki Aerio: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Suzuki Aerio filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 31% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 23% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 15% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 15% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Latches, locks, linkages 8% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 8 Tires 8% of all complaints
- Suspension: 4 complaints (31% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (23% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (15% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (15% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Consumer lost steering control and hit a pole. Vehicle was towed. Dealership repaired the lower control arm. The consumer stated the air bags did not deploy as designed. Updated 02/09/06.
Had wheel bearings replaced on vehicle at 12,000 miles and again at 30,000 miles. At 42,000 miles axle broke at the wheel. This caused the vehicle to crash and cause $4,400.00 in damage to the front end.
While the contact was in traffic, a loud grinding noise emitted and the gear shifter became stuck. The contact was able to place the gear into drive. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired.
My a/c compressor has already had to be replaced and for some reason the cooling fans are not working properly. The structure on this car is poor. The lock to the drivers side doow just spins now, so it needs to be replace. I have already had to replace the trunks lock due to same problem.
The screws that hold the door lock assembly simply fell out of the door 2. Passenger front door only opens when it wants, lock sticks 3. Body part screws have fallen off of the car causing body parts to fall off while driving. 4. Screws holding front bumper on fell out and bumper fell off. 5.
Dt*: the contact stated the heat shield bolts on the motor continually became loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for tightening of bolts several times.
Now has to replace 2 more tires, there is plenty of tread on tires but dealer said if sidewall is struck with those knots a blowout will occur.
When braking there is a grinding and or popping noise. Also, the brake pedal feels softer than normal. Vehicle has been serviced 4 times for this issue, but the cause of the noise has not been determined. The consumer noticed a popping noise in the front end and pulsation in the brakes and steering wheel.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,843 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Aerio has 19 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 13, below average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Suzuki Aerio?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, service brakes, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (15%), airbags did not deploy (8%), brake failure (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Suzuki Aerio?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 Suzuki Aerio from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.