2004 Suzuki Forenza problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (9) · Engine And Engine Cooling (8) · Vehicle Speed Control (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Suzuki Forenza model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
40 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2014-05-19 · campaign 14V262000 · 184,244 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the heat generated within the headlamp switch or DRL module located on the left side of the steering column melts the headlamp switch or DRL module, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2012-08-14 · campaign 12V397000 · 101,688 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (28)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Suspension 2022-07-08 · SUZ_016008 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.
Suspension 2018-11-20 · N-Q-G-045 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin was sent by suzuki motor corporation to its authorized suzuki automobile distributors in the u.s., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.
Engine 2013-08-08 · TS-30-06263 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suzuki: suzuki has replacement oil pumps that have a threaded plug. the threaded proves to be difficult to remove without causing damage to the new oil pump. this bulletin provides procedures when replacing the old oil pump. *js
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift 2009-08-01 · TS-09-03129R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suzuki vehicles: automatic transmission shift lever is loose in the shift gate and/or ignition key cannot be removed. the transmission gear shift lever does not hold firmly to the left of the shift gage as expected. *pe
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2008-01-01 · TS0601238 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
required automatic transmission control module initialization procedure. my 2004-2008 forenz sedan/wagon, reno (rq420). *nj
Electrical System:software 2007-12-01 · 0812177 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
p0441 or p0496 (evaporative emission system continuous purge flow). *nj
Showing the 6 most recent of 28 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-02-14 · Steering“i own a 2004 suzuki forenza and this car is a constant problem. it over heats everyone i drive it which is daily. it starts only when the motor is somewhat cool. this cat has left me stranded many times. like at the moment the car has over heated and i'm pulled off the side of hwy 26 heading to portland. i have taken this cat to my mechanic severa…”
2016-11-18 · Vehicle Speed Control · 10,876 mi“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…”
2016-07-14 · Electrical System · 65,000 mi“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 no…”
2015-09-23 · Engine · 40,520 mi“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.…”
2015-06-04 · Structure:body · 66,700 mi“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)…”
2015-04-30 · Engine · 110,244 mi“i bought my car used and it has a new tranny, cv axles and everything the only thing original is the engine. so i have already had to replace the o2 sensors twice at $60 each. i have had to replace the tps sensor, thermostat and housing, ignition coil, battery, starter, fuel pump and alternator. all because i kept getting the check engine lights o…”
2015-01-14 · Exterior Lighting · 120,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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…”
2014-12-26 · Exterior Lighting · 101,000 mi“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 (…”
2014-12-03 · Exterior Lighting · 91,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 suzuki forenza. the contact stated while driving approximately 5 mph, the headlights started to flicker and eventually shut off. the failure recurred multiple times. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the contact received a notification for recall nhtsa campaign id number: 14v262000 (exterior lighting). however, …”
2014-11-21 · Structure:body:door · 52,000 mi“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. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.