What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2004 Suzuki Forenza

Typical pattern

15.1% of complaints about the 2004 Suzuki Forenza came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2004 vehicle — around the middle of the 236 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.2 yr in service. The most-reported system is exterior lighting (17 complaints), typically at 6.2 yr or about 81,000 miles.

Complaints
86
Median age at failure
4.2 yr
Median mileage
50,185 n=55
Crash / fire / tow
25.6% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Exterior lighting
17 reports · 81,000 mi
6.2 yr
35.3%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

14V262000 2014-05-19
Exterior lighting:headlights

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.

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.

12V397000 2012-08-14
Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash

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.

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

07V452000 2007-09-25
Exterior lighting

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.

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

05V022000 2005-01-28
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

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.

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 WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO DISCHARGE THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY, AND, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH, CRUISE CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, IF EQUIPPED, WILL BECOME DISABLED.

03V426000 2003-10-29
Air bags:frontal

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS, THE DUAL STAGE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS IN AN IMPROPER SEQUENCE.

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

In owners’ own words

Exterior lighting mileage not reported 7 mo in service
THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGH THE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. *NM THE PROBLEM ALSO DRAINED THE BATTERY. *JB
Exterior lighting 49,000 mi 5.3 yr in service
2004 SUZUKI FORENZA TURN SIGNAL AND FLASHERS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING NO RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS SPECIFIC DEFECT. MECHANIC UNABLE TO FIND SOURCE OF PROBLEM. CAR NEVER IN A MVA, ONLY 49,000 MILES. *TR
Exterior lighting 91,000 mi 6.0 yr in service
I HAVE A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA AND TOOK IT IN FOR A SAFETY RECALL ON THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THE DEALERSHIP DID THE RECALL BUT SAID THE WIRES WERE BURNT SO BAD THAT IT AFFECTED THE HIGH BEAM SIDE. NOW THAT THE RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED, NONE OF THE LIGHTS WORK CREATING A BIGGER SAFETY HAZARD THAN BEFORE. THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT AT ALL . *TR

Other Forenza model years

20082007200620052004

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