The Suzuki Forsa spans 1985–1988 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 39 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Suzuki Forsa — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Suzuki Forsa is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1985 to 1988 across multiple generations.
How to read a Suzuki Forsa VIN — every digit explained
Every Suzuki Forsa carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Suzuki and the country it was built in (real Suzuki codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Forsa.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- Japan2S2 · JG7 · JKS · JS1 · JS4 · JSA
- TaiwanLM1 · LM4 · RK6 · RK7
- USA5SA · 5Z6
- South KoreaKL5
- ChinaLC6
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. Our VIN decoder breaks all seventeen positions down — year codes, country of assembly and the plant that built your Forsa.
How many recalls does the Suzuki Forsa have?
The Suzuki Forsa has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–1988. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Suzuki Forsa
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Suzuki Forsa — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Suzuki Forsa problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Suzuki Forsa — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Suzuki Forsa specifications & dimensions
The 1988 Suzuki Forsa measures 148″ long on a 93″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 1,664 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Suzuki Forsa window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 148″ | 61″ | 53″ | 93″ | 1,664 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Suzuki Forsa cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Forsa holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 79 cu ft of passenger volume and 8 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Suzuki Forsa tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Suzuki Forsa get?
The Suzuki Forsa returns up to 39 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $1,600/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1988 Suzuki Forsa (1L 3-cyl) gets 39 mpg combined and costs about $1,600/yr to fuel, emitting 228 g/mi CO₂ — that's about $3,000 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 Forsa | 36 | 44 | $1,600 | 228 | — | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 1987 Forsa | 36 | 43 | $1,600 | 228 | — | 1L 3-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Forsa stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Forsa's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Suzuki Forsa have? Power & range
The Suzuki Forsa is offered with 1 powertrain — 1L 3-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-cyl | 1.0L · 3-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Suzuki Forsa cost to own?
A Suzuki Forsa depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Check what a used Forsa is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Forsa loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $8,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Forsa ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Suzuki Forsa safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Forsa yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Suzuki Forsa last?
A well-maintained Suzuki Forsa typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your Suzuki Forsa’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Forsa’s VIN free →All Suzuki Forsa model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Suzuki Forsa — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 Forsa | 0 | — | |
| 1987 Forsa | 0 | — | |
| 1986 Forsa | 0 | — | |
| 1985 Forsa | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Forsa?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Suzuki Forsa.
How many recalls does the Forsa have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–1988. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Suzuki recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Forsa get?
Up to 39 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Forsa last?
A well-maintained Forsa typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Forsa reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Suzuki Forsa — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Suzuki Forsa warranty?
New Suzuki models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Suzuki dealer.
Where is the Suzuki Forsa made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Forsa's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Suzuki may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a Forsa weigh?
The Forsa's curb weight is around 1,664 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the Forsa have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.