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Suzuki Aerio Wagon

1350 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2011 at 9:06 AM

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What is this discussion about? Suzuki Aerio, Wagon

Messages Page 88 of 136

#862 of 1350 Windshield Recall by guickg

Jul 15, 2003 (10:12 am)

I purchased my 2002 Aerio SX in May 2002. I've called the Suzuki toll free customer service number to check if my car is being recalled. They ran my VIN and said no. The recall info is on the NHTSA.gov website. As has been pointed out by others, it affects Aerios, Vitaras and XL-7s, both 2002 and 2003 models. The recall data on the website indicates how many cars are affected in each model and year, but I seem to remember that the total number of Aerios is under 8,000. I may be wrong. As to parts availability, my dealer in NY does not have any parts in stock. It has taken 1-2 weeks to get them in the past. I am talking about replacement brake calipers (per Suzuki's technical bulletin to alleviate the popping brake sound), defective ABS sensor AND defective front wheel bearings (which made the steering wheel vibrate violently at high speeds). My car has had its share of mechanical problems, and I only have 9,500 miles on it in a year and a half since the purchase). My dealer does not seem to be very knowledgeable about the car. I had to tell him about the technical bulletin on the brakes.

#863 of 1350 recall by mic5000

Jul 15, 2003 (11:26 am)

That is a big recall to possibly buy back your car...how embarassing. Would you say that this recall is almost as bad as the Focus' 10+ recalls?
One major one or many tiny ones...i guess they are all major...
 
here's one link to the recall http://www.safetyalerts.com/recall/a/02/v00736.htm

#864 of 1350 guickgNY? by wellsv

Jul 15, 2003 (6:46 pm)

Lack of parts is what worries me. Your dealer is not in WNY by chance? I read that Suzuki wants to strengthen the dealer network, so maybe it will get better.

#865 of 1350 RECALLS AND MY DEALER IN TUCSON by frenchcar

Jul 15, 2003 (9:33 pm)

My dealer does not think my Aerio is subject to any recall and the service department is not aware of any offer to replace a vehicle but I will check with the sales manager. The owner of our Tucson, AZ dealership also owns the Jaguar, Lexis, Hummer, Isuzu, Buick and Kia dealerships but at other locations in the city. Now that Suzuki is all alone they have a lot more cars and a lot more parts as a stand alone dealership. With the addition of 2 new vehicles this fall and the remake of all the others in the next 3 years and an effort to beef up the dealership ranks, I think you will see a brighter future for Suzuki in the future. They have been popular worldwide for many years, just not well known in North America. Most of the little Samurai models from 1986 to 1989 are still on the road. I like the uniqueness of them. We traded in a Ford Focus on our Aerio and that is a popular car but all the recalls were a pain and they sold so many to rental agencies that now the auctions are overloaded with them and values have plunged. Had an emmissions test today on the 93,000 mile 1995 Sidekick I bought recently and the test figures were cleaner (almost zero) than for any car I have ever had tested. I know people with high mileage Suzuki products and they have had better experience with them than most cars and I agree. However, nothing is perfect but I dont think you can get perfection out of anything with 5000 parts in it but hope to come close.

#866 of 1350 Parts, Dealerships Etc. by guickg

Jul 16, 2003 (5:29 am)

I am in NYC. My dealer also sells and services Lincoln-Mercury and Isuzu (not sure why three such different brands are sold together). Since I purchased my Aerio in May 2002, I have not seen any new dealerships appear in or around NYC or NYS for that matter (based on the Suzuki.com website dealer searches). Although Suzuki dealerships are spread out quite a bit, there are a few of them at least in the NY metro area. Suzuki cars are generally very reliable so I don't think you would need parts often. My car just happened to have some problems which had to be fixed. And it was one of the early ones produced. The Suzuki dealership experience is typical of any other dealership. As a general rule, they don't keep up with all the latest developments, technical bulletins and recalls. It would be up to you to keep informed and let them know. It's not right, but that's how it is. The best way to find out if your car is being recalled is simply to call Suzuki Customer Relations Dept. (the number is on their website) and give them your VIN instead of asking the dealer.

#867 of 1350 WINDSHIELD RECALL IS FOR REAL AND SO IS CAR REPLACEMENT by frenchcar

Jul 16, 2003 (2:25 pm)

My 2002 Aerio is not effected but a small number of late 02 and early 03 modeks do have a problem. My service adviser was not aware of it (has been on vacation), parts was not aware of it, nor were some of the salesmen. Then I talked to one of the mechanics AND HE KNEW ALL ABOUT IT. There was a paint booth malfunction or human error where a limited number of vehicles had their primer coat overbaked and the adhesion is giving out between the primer and finish coat and in turn the windshield adhesives. Mechanics were given a write up and a test tool and test instructions. They test two small areas on the sides of the windshield body. 3 have been brought into my dealer just last week and all 3 passed the test. If they run into one that fails then an Suzuki inspector comes to inspect that vehicle and if he agrees that it is defective then they do indeed give you a new vehicle. Sounds bizzare but at least Suzuki stands behind their product and I remember when Ford replaced some Mustangs and years ago GM did it on some model. The only way to properly take care of the problem is to ship the car back to Japan, strip it down to bare body, strip off all paint and re-prime and bake it. I gather the primer problem will eventually be all over and not just by the windshield. Thank heavens only a few vehicles are involved but to be safe they will recall some to test out that probably are ok. Better to be safe. JUST WAIT FOR YOUR LETTERS. Hope this helps. Over the years the total number of recalls on Suzuki models has been quite small.

#868 of 1350 Recall by wheelz4

Jul 17, 2003 (7:49 am)

We bought a 2002 in June, 2002 (was delivered to the dealer about a week before we got it)...haven't seen any recall notice yet but will watch the mail. While getting a brand new vehicle would be nice (slight power upgrade, door buzzes resolved?? etc.), I'm not sure I like the centre rear seatbelt arrangement and we'd lose the centre rear armrest/cupholder as well (our son will be disappointed!) One year into the Aerio "experience", we are generally happy with the car but I do have some suggestions for Suzuki.
While I'm ok with the digital dash, a nice set of analogues would make the interior look a little classier....mount them on the steering wheel (like Nissan in the 350Z/Murano) if your're worried about right/left-hand drive adaptability.
The whole dash actually should be redesigned to bring some of the lower controls/switches up into a more user-friendly (and safer) position. And please, incorporate some oddment storage this time, as well as, try to minimize those nasty dash reflections. Seat comfort is excellent (though a seat height adjustment that raises and not just tilts the cushion would be welcome). Some brighter fabrics/inserts would liven up what is a fairly dark and sombre interior. The cargo cover should be higher and be retractable and storable as well. Though I like the big sideview mirrors, they make the poor aerodynamics of the Aerio (oxymoron?) even worse and contribute a lot of wind noise. Better integrated (and not quite as low) ground effects (a la Protege5), an intermittent rear wiper and 16" tires/wheels would make a good car great. Make the doors less "tinny" and, if you haven't eliminated the interior door panel buzzes already, please do...they really affect the perception of quality. And maybe it's time for Suzuki to get with the variable valve timing program....while the Aerio is competetive powerwise, it's no rocket and it's fuel economy compared to Toyota and Honda is not what it should be.

#869 of 1350 WINDSHIELD GLARE by frenchcar

Jul 17, 2003 (8:02 pm)

Basically I agree with many of your observations about improvements that could be made to the Aerio. We are fortunate that ours has never had the door buzz problem and ours was a very early model. We solved the awful windshield glare with a nicely made velour dash cover from DASH DESIGNS in Tempe , Arizona and they have a web site. They also make a neat retractable sunshade. The velour dash cover in black is actually a dark gray that matches the interior and we got a gray steering wheel cover from them as it is really needed in our 108 degree temperatures in Tucson lately. We like ours so much that we wouldnt want a replacement car. Im sure ours wont be recalled.

#870 of 1350 15K Miles Update by smiller678

Jul 20, 2003 (10:46 pm)

Hi all,
 
My 03 Aerio SX just turned 15K miles. Only problem to report is that I have the ocaasional brake clunk. But lately it hasn't been doing this much - probably due to the hot summer weather here is southern CA. I have made some upgrades to my car - painted brake calipers and drums red, installed chrome door locks, installed aluminum dash pieces, and installed center arm rest. When I first bought this car I wasn't too sure about Suzuki. However, this car has really sold me. I feel that this car could last well beyond 100K miles with not many problems.
 
Happy motoring

#871 of 1350 The start of a parts quest by chocoxtaco

Jul 21, 2003 (7:44 am)

Got back from a long trip to find out the driver side back back window was smashed in by a ball. Family tried to fix the matter before I got back (car's in FL, I live in PA), but dealers said that it'd be a week to get the glass, then more time to schedule and install. No dice. So, I get to see what insurance will do for me.

Messages Page 88 of 136

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