Most common 2002 Suzuki Aerio problems
Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Suzuki Aerio complaints by model year
Best Aerio years: 2004, 2002. Years to avoid: 2003, 2006. Compare all years →
2002 Suzuki Aerio recalls (2)
Power train › Manual transmission
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.
Visibility › Windshield
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.
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.
What 2002 Suzuki Aerio owners say
Suspension
While turning right at 45 MPH the lower control arm snapped. 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.
Brakes
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. Suzuki admitted that there was a problem but they weren't sure of how to resolve. The emergency brake light would come when traveling at certain angles both on and off ramp.
While driving at 60 MPH consumer heard a popping sound, and the steering wheel shimmied. The same thing happened when the brakes were depressed. Dealer inspected the vehicle, and found that the rotors needed to be replaced.
2002 Suzuki Aerio engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 30 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 28 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Suzuki Aerio a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Aerio rates better than average: 47% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Aerio at the same age. It is one of the best Aerio years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Suzuki Aerio?
The suspension — 4 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › control arm › lower ball joint. Next are the brakes (3) and engine & cooling (2).
How many recalls does the 2002 Suzuki Aerio have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2002 Suzuki Aerio, the most recent from July 15, 2007 (manual transmission). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Suzuki Aerio?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003 and 2006. See the full Suzuki Aerio years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Suzuki Aerio problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 27,000 miles; 78% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.