Forenza (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2.0-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Suzuki Forenza Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
2.5-I6-Gas
2.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
1.4-I4-Gas
1.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.2-I4-Gas
2.2L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Suzuki Forenza, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza
On a used 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (359), the electrical system (192) and the airbags and driver-assist systems (177). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 359 owner complaints on the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 192 owner complaints on the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza about the electrical system.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 177 owner complaints on the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 154 owner complaints on the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza about the engine.
- Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 102 owner complaints on the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza about the exterior lighting.
Recalls (6)
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 FRONT SEAT BELT TONGUE WILL NOT LATCH INTO THE BUCKLE AND, IN RARE CASES, EVEN THE LOCKED TONGUE WILL POP OUT BY LOW STRETCHING FORCE. IF THE BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH COMPLETELY, THE BUCKLE COULD RELEASE WITHOUT PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON.
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.
Show 1 older recall
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS, THE DUAL STAGE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS IN AN IMPROPER SEQUENCE.
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza complaints?
Owners have filed 906 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the electrical system and the safety systems.
Is the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 906 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza have?
NHTSA has 906 owner complaints on file for the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering some 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Suzuki Forenza?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the electrical system and the safety systems, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Forenza have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 906 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.