Problems · NHTSA complaints

2007 Suzuki Forenza problems

Owners filed 256 complaints about the 2007 Suzuki Forenza with NHTSA between May 2007 and Dec 2021. The most-cited component is power train (129).

Complaints
256
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
25
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train129
  2. Electrical system51
  3. Air bags37
  4. Engine24
  5. Engine and engine cooling20
  6. Exterior lighting17
  7. Latches/locks/linkages17
  8. Vehicle speed control16
  9. Seat belts14
  10. Structure12
  11. Steering7
  12. Tires7
  13. Suspension6
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20077
200815
200921
201033
201139
201231
201335
201437
201520
20167
20177
20183
20190
20200
20211

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

129 reports3 crashes1 fire
“WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY THE LIGHT FOR THE ENGINE CAME ON AND THE CAR DIED. AFTER BEING TOWED IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD WAS BLOWN. AFTER REPLACING THE ENGINE THE LIGHT REMAINS ON AND NOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A DEFECT IN A SENSOR FOR THE TRANSMISSION THAT KEEPS THESE PROBLEMS HAPPENING IN THIS VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2017Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11014609

Electrical system

51 reports17 fires
“VEHICLE HAS ODOR OF SMOKE OR UNKNOWN SMELL ADVISED SUZUKI WHO REFERRED ME TO SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT HANDLE REPAIRS. I ADVISED THEM I WORK FOR AN AUTO BODY WHO STATES VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE- PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALSO ON. RECALL NOTICE ADVISES OF SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. STEERING COLUMN LOOKS TO BE WARPED AND IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT WORKING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2017Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11039311

Air bags

37 reports8 crashes1 fire
“Air Bag light came on in the Dash, also passenger seat belt not on light came on in the clock. I took the car to Planet Automotive Group here in Charlotte, they ran a Diagnostic on the vehicle and found a b1448 code for passenger seat mat defect. I called the manufacture at [XXX] talked to a person named [XXX], I was told this is no longer under warranty and they could not help. I disagreed with her, told her this was a very serious safety issue and they should help with the cost of replaced/repair. Was told sorry. Need you help am 85 year old and don't have funds for new seat which cost $3750.00”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 14, 2021Air bags, SeatsODI 11443757

Engine

24 reports6 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE DRIVER CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, OPENED THE HOOD, TURNED OFF THE RELAY SWITCH, AND ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN. THERE WAS NO FIRE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DWAYNE LANE SUZUKI, 10415 EVERGREEN WAY, EVERETT, WA, 425-267-9000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RELAY SWITCH (WHICH CONTROLLED THE FAN FOR THE HEATER AND THE AIR CONDITIONER) CAUGHT FIRE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2017EngineFire reportedODI 11033057

Engine and engine cooling

20 reports2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD CONSTANTLY MADE A CLICKING NOISE AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS EMITTED BURNING FUMES. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED AND THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITION FAN MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2015Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, EquipmentODI 10748813

Exterior lighting

17 reports5 fires1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO TURN ON WHEN PROMPTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 19, 2018Exterior lightingODI 11152593
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.