2004 Suzuki Forenza: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 63 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving my suzuki forenza 2004 it doesn't accelerate and all in a quick sudden comes to a quick stop as though someone on the passenger side pulled the emergency brakes,while on a major road way. Dangerous im scared to drive the only transportation I have”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician replaced the starter, battery, and inspected the alternator; however, the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000. ....updated 09/19/16 *bf updated 04/12/17 lj the consumer requested an update.*js *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the diagnosis was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,520. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“When inserting key the look fell inside the door (note: this problem was subject to an NHTSA recall, but my VIN number was not included)”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 suzuki forenza. While exiting the vehicle, the contact reached for the front driver side door handle and it detached in its entirety. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the headlights failed to activate. As a result, the contact was required to activate and drive with the high beams in order to view the road. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 14v262000 (exterior lighting) however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, another vehicle crashed into the side of the contact's vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Pam”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that an abnormal odor emitted from the dashboard. In addition, the contact mentioned that the low beam headlights became inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the contact noticed smelled smoke and noticed fire emitting from the engine compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the fire. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2014
“Driving home from work. Smelled something burning. Checked called mechanic. Drove into his garage. Called around for parts. Couldn't find any found switch in ca. Took time. No car. Replaced combination switch, head light module. Labor and installed head light module, combination switch and repaired melted wires. 6 hrs. For labor $70. Hr. Total amount w/ taxes $452.03 this was before recall notice. And know parts to be found. Mother-in-law sending out the info. Received from suzuki $89.26. Not what we were hoping for.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, HEADLAMP LOW BEAM OR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT (DRL) FUNCTION MAY BE INOPERATIVE DUE TO A MELTED SPLICE PACK ON THE WIRING HARNESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL SPLICE THE POWER CIRCUIT WIRES FOR THE LOW-BEAM HEADLAMPS AND DRL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN THREE PHASES, STARTING AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2007 AND CONCLUDING BY THE END OF JANUARY 2008;. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS, THE DUAL STAGE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS IN AN IMPROPER SEQUENCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADAPTING WIRING HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2003, TO VERONA VEHICLE OWNERS. ALL FORENZA VEHICLES WERE REPAIRED AT THE PORT OF ENTRY. THERE ARE NO OWNER NOTIFICATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE FORENZA MODEL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Forenza vehicles, and 2005-2008 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2003, through July 30, 2008. In the affected vehicles, heat may be generated in the headlamp switch or daytime running light (DRL) module which could melt the headlamp switch or the DRL module.
Remedy: Suzuki will replace the signal switch and add a jumper relay kit and will replace the DRL Module in teh instrument panel harness. Suzuki distributed to owners an interim letter on July 30, 2014. The recall began October 29, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is XA.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BECOME MISADJUSTED IF AN UPWARD/REARWARD FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP, TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY WITHOUT BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION, WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE ON OR OFF POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 16, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Forenza and model year 2005-2006 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 23, 2003, through March 7, 2006. Increased resistance due to poor contact between the terminals of certain wires can generate heat that can melt the splice pack used to connect the power circuit wires for the headlamps. This can result in intermittent or total loss of low/high beam headlamp function.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and Suzuki dealers will reconnect the affected wires with two heat-shrink crimps, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 25, 2012. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-877-697-8985.
How other years compare
Check your exact Forenza by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Suzuki Forenza reliable?
NHTSA has 63 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Suzuki Forenza. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Suzuki Forenza problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 57,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Suzuki Forenza have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.