Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Suzuki Verona, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 39 | 25% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 9 | 6% |
| Power train | 8 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 3% |
| Air bags | 5 | 3% |
| Engine | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact's fiancé owns a 2004 Suzuki Verona. The contact stated that on multiple occasions after starting the vehicle, the engine was lagging and then revved inadvertently. The contact also stated that while driving a
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI VERONA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND FIFTEEN CODES APPEARED AS A TEXT TO HER CELLPHONE. THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI VERONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND PULLING IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND TRAVELED 15 FEET BEFORE IT STALLED A
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI VERONA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THA
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI VERONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON THE FIRST A
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I HAVE GAS TANK CRACKED OR LEAKED CLOSE TO A REAR AND LEFT WHEEL TIRE INCLUDE GAS SMELL AND EVAP LEAKS. I HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN FILLING GAS STOP TRIGGER.
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI VERONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V262000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND CONTACTED THE MAN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I SHOULD HAVE DONE MY HOMEWORK BEFORE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. I BOUGHT IT FROM DEALERSHIP, AND FEEL FINDING OUT MORE , WHY ARE THESE CARS ALOUD TO STILL BE SOLD. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE WITH ACCEL
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2004 Suzuki Verona. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
IN CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FAULT IN THE ADAPTIVE FUEL CONTROL LOGIC CAN CAUSE SOME VEHICLES TO USE AIR/FUEL RATIOS DURING DECELERATION THAT ARE LEAN ENOUGH TO CAUSE ENGINE STALLING.
Risk: ENGINE STALLING COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MISLOCATED SENSOR IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TONGUE FROM BEING INSERTED INTO THE BUCKLE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Verona vehicles manufactured June 2003 to October 2005. In the affected vehicles, there may be heat generated within the DRL module located in the instrument panel, which could melt the DRL module.
Risk: If the DRL module melts due to the heat generation, it could cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the DRL module in the instrument panel, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2014. Owners can contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 80 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 39 of them (25%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.