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2004 Suzuki ForenzaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 63 owner complaints about the 2004 Suzuki Forenza, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-262 the manufacturer reports only 18% of affected cars repaired.

2004 Suzuki Forenza
68
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years54% below the Forenza median · #5 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Lowest repair rate 18%Owner complaints6317 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage81kExterior lighting, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 14, 2017. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Suzuki Forenza has problems

63 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Exterior lighting165
Engine and engine cooling100
Electrical system102
Air bags65
Power train60
Vehicle speed control51
Structure50
Engine41
Wheels32
15 other systems195

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2004 Suzuki Forenza recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

18%repaired · 2016 Q1

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 14V-262 · May 19, 2014 · 184,244 vehicles · 33,333 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wiring: interior/under dash

Recall 12V-397 · Aug 14, 2012 · 101,688 vehicles

Risk. If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting

Recall 07V-452 · Sep 25, 2007 · 93,963 vehicles

Risk. INAPPROPRIATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLES AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Brake lights: switch

Recall 05V-022 · Jan 28, 2005 · 37,796 vehicles

Risk. IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING,A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN YOUR BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 03V-426 · Oct 29, 2003 · 7,797 vehicles

Risk. IF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS IMPROPERLY DURING A FRONTAL VEHICLE CRASH, THE DRIVER COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Suzuki.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other Forenza year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Forenza median. How we score

'04'05'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2004 Suzuki Forenza safety ratings

2004 Suzuki Forenza 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2004 Suzuki Forenza frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2004 Suzuki Forenza side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Suzuki Forenza, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HEADLIGHT / DRL MALFUNCTIONPE07039 · closed Oct 2, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-452
In owners' words

What Forenza owners report

Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10681255 · Jan 14, 2015 · 120,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10668268 · Dec 26, 2014 · 101,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10661995 · Dec 3, 2014 · 91,000 miles

Own a 2004 Forenza?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.