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 256 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Suzuki Forenza, and it carries 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 83 | 32% |
| Air bags | 23 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 5% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 8 | 3% |
| Engine | 8 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 3% |
| Power train | 7 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 2% |
| Power train | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT IS ON EVEN WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. I AM SURPRISE THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY AND EVEN FATALITIES. SUZUKI ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE GRAND VITARAS. TH
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
CAR WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 40-45MPH, ON A MAJOR TWO LANE ROAD. PAVEMENT WAS WET. CAR IN FRONT STOPPED FAST, SUZUKI REAR ENDED THAT VEHICLE. DRIVER ONLY OCCUPANT IN CAR SUZUKI-AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. FRONT OF CAR CRUSHED
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE CAR LOST POWER SUDDENLY AFTER STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE NEVER STOPPED RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN ABOUT 20MPH. TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTED AND DOWN SHIFTED. ORB ERROR CODES
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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 A
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS MADE A CLICKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AS IF THE LOCKS WERE GOING UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE LOCKS WERE IN THE DOWN POSIT
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
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 A
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2007 Suzuki Forenza. 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.
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 whi
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.
Fix: 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 r
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.
Risk: THESE BUCKLE MALFUNCTIONS, WHICH COULD PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THE SEAT BELT OR COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO FAIL TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED, CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES WITH THE IMPROVED PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
| Reliability raw | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 256 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 83 of them (32%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (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 2007 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 69/100. 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.