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 portland. I have taken this cat to my mechanic several times and upon its return within days the car is doing the same thing. The steering is a mess. The car is all over the road I've taken it to lesschwab 4 times gotten two alignments within a 2 month period and still car doesn't drive right. I've replaced the head gasket,,starter,battery,tires, the list goes on and on. This is not ad dependable car. I'm 60 miles from home and wondering how I'm gonna get back home. Thank you suzuki
The worst 2004 Suzuki Forenza problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Lights16
- Engine14
- Electrical10
- Airbags6
- Transmission6
- Acceleration5
- Body5
- Fuel system3
- Wheels3
- Brakes2
- Driver assistance2
- Locks2
- Suspension2
- Tires2
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Steering1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Suzuki Forenza
Recalls 5
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 14V262000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 12V397000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 07V452000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 05V022000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 03V426000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 2004 Suzuki Forenza
Defect investigations
Headlight / drl malfunction
On september 25, 2007, suzuki notified the agency that it will recall model years 2004 -2006 forenza and reno vehicles to correct a defect that can result in loss of headlight and/or drl function.this recall affects 93,963 vehicles.the federal safety agency assigned number 07v‑452 for this recall.the federal safety agency's investigation initially focused on 2005 forenzas, then expanded it to 2004-2005 forenzas (total of 58,448 vehicles). Suzuki broadened the recall scope to cover 2004-2006 forenzas & renos (93,963 vehicles).the wiring harness behind the instrument panel contains a splice pack to connect the power circuit wires for low-beam headlamps and daytime running lamps (drl).increased resistance due to poor contact between terminals can generate heat which can lead to melting of the splice pack in the area of wires and the loss of headlight and/or drl function. For the remedy, dealers will splice the power circuit wires for the low-beam headlamps and drls free of charge.suzuki's recall campaign (manufacturer recall no. Nb) is expected to start at the end of october 2007.customers may contact suzuki at 1‑800‑934‑0934.
PE07039
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Suzuki Forenza 28
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts...
- This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile...
- Suzuki: suzuki has replacement oil pumps that have a threaded plug
- Suzuki vehicles: automatic transmission shift lever is loose in the shift gate and/or ignition key cannot...
- Required automatic transmission control module initialization procedure
- P0441 or P0496 (evaporative emission system continuous purge flow)
- Customer satisfaction campaign water pump pulley inspection
- Evaporative emission system continuous purge flow
- DTC P0703 explained
- Oil leak from drain plug
2004 Suzuki Forenza fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20 | 27-28 | 22 |
What 2004 Suzuki Forenza owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000. ....updated 09/19/16 *bf updated 04/12/17 lj the consumer requested an update.*js
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. The VIN was not available.
When inserting key the look fell inside the door (note: this problem was subject to an the federal safety agency recall, but my VIN number was not included)
I bought my car used and it has a new tranny, cv axles and everything the only thing original is the engine. So I have already had to replace the o2 sensors twice at $60 each. I have had to replace the tps sensor, thermostat and housing, ignition coil, battery, starter, fuel pump and alternator. All because I kept getting the check engine lights on and throwing coding all over the place. And the car still stalls when I stop at a stop light and runs and idles rough. I have spent over $1500 fix this problem and it still exists I did all the work myself I have worked on cars my whole life and am a mechanic. Every mechanic I take it to can both find the problem and suzuki can't give an answer to the problem and I don't know what to do.
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 melted wires. 6 hrs. For labor $70. Hr. Total amount w/ taxes $452.03 this was before recall notice. And know parts to be found. Mother-in-law sending out the info. Received from suzuki $89.26. Not what we were hoping for.
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 repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v262000 (exterior lighting) however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.
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 the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v262000 (exterior lighting). However, the parts needed for the repairs were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000. Updated 4/6/15*cn the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired on march 27, 2015. Updated 6/25/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 suzuki forenza. While exiting the vehicle, the contact reached for the front driver side door handle and it detached in its entirety. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000.
Compare the 2004 Suzuki Forenza
Other model years
Questions about the 2004 Suzuki Forenza
Is the 2004 Suzuki Forenza reliable?
Owners have filed 63 complaints about the 2004 Suzuki Forenza, fewer than a typical Forenza model year.
What is the 2004 Suzuki Forenza year score?
The 2004 Suzuki Forenza scores 82 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Suzuki Forenza: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Suzuki Forenza?
Lights, with 16 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles. Next is engine (14).
How many recalls does the 2004 Suzuki Forenza have?
5 recalls, covering exterior lighting and air bags.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Suzuki Forenza lights?
Yes, 4 recalls: 14V262000, 12V397000, 07V452000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Suzuki Forenza have the most lights problems?
The Suzuki Forenza model years with the most lights complaints are 2005 (38 complaints), 2006 (22 complaints) and 2007 (18 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Suzuki Forenza get?
Official estimates for the 2004 Suzuki Forenza range from 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20 city and 27-28 highway.
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