The most-reported Forenza run is KL5JD56Z86K (2006 builds) with 24 complaints, 4.8× the typical run. Power train problems make up 30% of reports; 2008 is the worst model year at 7.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for Forenza model years 2004–2008.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Suzuki Forenza has 141 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 14% of every Forenza complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KL5JD56Z86K•••••• | 2006 | 1 | 1 | |
| KL5JD56Z47K•••••• | 2007 | — | 1 | |
| KL5JD56Z76K•••••• | 2006 | 1 | — | |
| KL5JD56Z88K•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — | |
| KL5JD56Z37K•••••• | 2007 | 1 | 1 | |
| KL5JD56Z96K•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| KL5JD56Z87K•••••• | 2007 | 2 | 2 | |
| KL5JD56ZX6K•••••• | 2006 | 2 | 3 | |
| KL5JD56Z16K•••••• | 2006 | 1 | 1 | |
| KL5JD56Z26K•••••• | 2006 | 2 | — | |
| KL5JD56Z66K•••••• | 2006 | 1 | — | |
| KL5JD56Z67K•••••• | 2007 | 3 | 2 |
Each of the other 129 Forenza runs has 16 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Suzuki Forenza the gap between build years is 3.3×: a 2008 car draws 7.6 complaints per run, a 2004 one 2.3.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 114 | 15 | 12 | |
| 2007 | 184 | 26 | 10 | |
| 2006 | 230 | 41 | 18 | |
| 2005 | 122 | 41 | 4 | |
| 2004 | 48 | 21 | 6 |
Heaviest year here is 2008 at 7.6 complaints per run; lightest is 2004 at 2.3.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 30% of everything Suzuki Forenza owners report: Power Train, 250 of 698 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 7 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | 29 | |
| Air Bags | 32 | 2 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 13 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 2 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | — | |
| Engine | 1 | 6 | |
| Structure | 2 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Suzuki Forenza; the 6 below cover build years 2004 to 2008. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 14V262000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 2004–2008 |
| 12V397000 | Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash | 2004–2006 |
| 07V452000 | Exterior Lighting | 2004–2006 |
| 07V315000 | Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly | 2006–2007 |
| 03V426000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2004 |
| 05V022000 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch | 2004 |
14V262000 was opened in 2014 on cars built from 2004: 10 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 698 reports on the Suzuki Forenza, 7.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Suzuki Forenza | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 698 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 50 (7.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 45 (6.4%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 52 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Suzuki Forenza share of that is 698 complaints over 141 runs, 0.06% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Suzuki Forenza VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 698 NHTSA complaints from 141 Forenza runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Forenza production run has the most complaints?
KL5JD56Z86K, a 2006 build, with 24 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Forenza run has 5.
Which Forenza years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2008 is heaviest at 7.6 complaints per run and 2004 lightest at 2.3.
How many Forenza complaints involve a crash?
7.2% of 698 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 45 involved a fire.
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