NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 27 owner complaints for the 2006 Suzuki Aerio. Most complaints involve air bags (5) and service brakes, hydraulic (5). The EPA rates it 23–24 mpg combined.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI AERIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME ABNORMALLY TIGHT AND CAUSED WELTS TO THE PASSENGER'S NECK. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY AND A MESSAGE THAT INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE PROBLEM RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESET THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI AERIO. HE FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHANGED EVERY 2,000 MILES SINCE PURCHASE. THE BRAKES WEAR DOWN TO THE METAL. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE CALIPERS TO FAIL. HE SPECULATED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE DESIGNED TOO LARGE FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER HAS NOT STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY CAN NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,867. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI AERIO. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE; AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH THE CONTACT NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE AREA BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerio Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Aerio Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Aerio SX Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Aerio SX Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Aerio AWD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Aerio SX AWD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (5), service brakes, hydraulic (5), engine and engine cooling (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2006 Suzuki Aerio at 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).