2004 Suzuki Forenza Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Forenza years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 5th of 5 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Suzuki Forenza. That ranks 5th out of 5 Forenza model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is exterior lighting (16 complaints, 25%), typically at around 86,000 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 5 fires, 6 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 63owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 9complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2004 Suzuki Forenza problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 16 | 25% | 86,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 10 | 16% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 16% | 31,611 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 6 | 10% | 43,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 6 | 10% | 27,500 | — | — |
| Structure | 5 | 8% | 59,350 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 8% | 57,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 4 | 6% | 74,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 3 | 5% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 3% | 12,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 3% | 32,445 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% | 55,093 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 3% | 9,344 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 2% | 120,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 2% | 200 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 2% | 10,876 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 2% | 81,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 2% | 15,400 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 2% | 500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 2% | 10,876 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 2% | 15,400 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 2% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 2% | 50,185 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2004 Suzuki Forenza recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Problem: 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; electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash
Problem: 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.
Exterior lighting
Problem: 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.
Risk: Inappropriate lighting could reduce visibility of vehicles and increase the potential for a crash.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Problem: 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.
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 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.
Fix: 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.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: On certain passenger cars, the dual stage driver's air bag deploys in an improper sequence.
Risk: If the driver's air bag deploys improperly during a frontal vehicle crash, the driver could be severely injured or killed.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Headlight / drl malfunction (PE07039) — opened Jul 24, 2007, closed Oct 2, 2007, led to recall 07V452000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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
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…
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…
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)
Other Suzuki Forenza years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Forenza | 152 | 1 |
| 2007 Forenza | 256 | 2 |
| 2006 Forenza | 280 | 4 |
| 2005 Forenza | 156 | 3 |
| 2004 | 63 | 5 |
See all Suzuki Forenza problems by year, every Suzuki model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Suzuki models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Suzuki Forenza?
Owners most often report exterior lighting, electrical system, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, exterior lighting, accounts for 16 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Suzuki Forenza?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2004 Suzuki Forenza a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Forenza model years, the 2004 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.