Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 Suzuki Forenza, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Exterior lighting16
- Engine and engine cooling10
- Electrical system10
- Power train6
- Air bags6
- Structure5
- Vehicle speed control5
- Engine4
- Wheels3
- Tires2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2004 Suzuki Forenza failed the safety check 5.88% of the time — 167% more often than the average 2004 passenger car (2.21%). Median odometer at inspection: 77,922 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS, THE DUAL STAGE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS IN AN IMPROPER SEQUENCE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Suzuki told its dealers about the 2004 Suzuki Forenza: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10216558 | 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. |
| 10152052 | 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. |
| 10052515 | 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 |
| 10030107 | 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 |
| 10024197 | REQUIRED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION PROCEDURE. MY 2004-2008 FORENZ SEDAN/WAGON, RENO (RQ420). *NJ |
| 10023878 | P0441 OR P0496 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM CONTINUOUS PURGE FLOW). *NJ |
| 10021296 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN WATER PUMP PULLEY INSPECTION. *KB |
| 10020472 | EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM CONTINUOUS PURGE FLOW. ECM SOFTWARE COULD CAUSE UNNECESSARY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. SUZUKI. *KB |
| 10018527 | DTC P0703 EXPLAINED. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DTC P0703 IS PRESENT. ALL FORENZA MODELS. SUZUKI. *TT |
| 10017456 | OIL LEAK FROM DRAIN PLUG. *TT |
| 10017060 | WIRE HARNESS INSULATION DAMAGE BEHIND THE LEFT FRONT FENDER LINER. *TT |
| 10016836 | VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A HIGH IDLE (2000+R.P.M.) FOR UP TO TEN SECONDS WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH THE CLUTCH RELEASED. *TT |
| 10016424 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HARSH 2 TO 1 DOWNSHIFT. *SC |
| 10016423 | HARSH 4TH TO 3RD AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFT AND UNWANTED P1884 DTC. 2004 SUZUKI RENO-RQ420 *SC |
| 10015942 | CRANKSHAFT POSITION VARIATION LEARN. 2004 FORENZA WAGON AND RENO (RQ420) *SC |
| 10015940 | FUEL LINE DISCONNECTING PROCEDURE. SUZUKI 2004 FORENZA, WAGON, RENO (RQ420), AND VERONA (RP625). *SC |
| 10015939 | FUEL LINE DISCONNECTING PROCEDURE. INCLUDING 2004 SUZUKI WAGON, RENO (RQ420) AND VERONA (RP625). *SC |
| 10015902 | DRIVER DOOR LOCK TUMBLER FALLS INTO DOOR WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED. 2004-2005 SUZUKI FORENZA SEDAN/WAGON AND RENO-RQ420. *SC |
| 10015897 | NOISE FROM THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS. 2004-2005 SUZUKI/FORENZA SEDAN/WAGON AND RENO. *SC |
| 10014824 | RADIO STATIC OR NO RECEPTION ON AM BAND STATIONS. *EH |
| 10014821 | CORRECT COOLANT USAGE. *EH |
| 10014811 | DRIVER DOOR LOCK TUMBLER FALLS INTO DOOR WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED. *EH |
| 10010042 | PAINT MAY PEEL ON THE INNER DOOR FRAMES AROUND THE WINDOW AREA ON SOME VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE 15, 2004 TO JULY 9, 2004. *NM |
| 10006729 | CLOCK WILL NOT HOLD MEMORY WHEN IGNITION KEY IS TURNED OFF. *TT |
| 10006724 | SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE FOR PROGRAMMING KEYLESS TRANSMITTERS. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
HEADLIGHT / DRL MALFUNCTION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation