Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Suzuki Forenza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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, [phone]) 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Suzuki Forenza. After the contact parked the vehicle and left, she noticed that the dashboard and visor were melted when she returned. The windshield was foggy due to an apparent engine fire. The insurance company was notified. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that the vehicle began to lose radiator fluid sporadically. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, who was unable to locate a leak of any sort. No repairs were made to the vehicle and the vehicle continued to lose fluid. Several weeks later while accelerating from a traffic stop at 45 MPH, smoke was seen coming from under the hood. In addition, the engine temperature began to increase rapidly. The contact assumed that the failure was caused by a faulty radiator. The vehicle was parked and upon further inspection, the contact discovered that radiator coolant had exploded all over the engine compartment and under the hood area. The vehicle was inspected by a second mechanic, who advised that the engine cooling fans were failing sporadically. In addition, the head gasket was failing. The vehicle was not repaired. …
I recently lost my car which was a '07 Suzuki Forenza to what has been described as a mechanical car fire brought on by some sort of mechanical failure. I believe this was a culmination of a series of failures over time despite whatever action I took to avoid it. Initially I encountered intense flickering with my headlamps. Headlights would stay on even after removing the key from the ignition. I believe that the consistence of this occurrence, has caused my vehicle's battery to fail. I ultimately had to have the battery replaced. I would also have a toxic smell come through the ventilation system from time to time. It smelled like something burning and melting. However, I was never able to determine what it was. This was going on intermittently for quite sometime. Then eventually my car was lost to the mechanical car failure fire. …
I bought a 2007 Suzuki Forenza 4 door sedan new in 2007 but now the drive lights would not turn off did this once before about three months ago but turned off after about 47 minutes after I took the battery cable a lose. It started again on May 24, 2011 when my wife took our kids to basketball practice she smelt something burning, the car burst into flames with a lot of smoke down by her leg, another motorist saw her and put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. The car does not run it will turn over but not crank no power in car, no lights nothing works. Car is full of extinguisher smoke from trying to put fire out. The harness with wires going inside of it inside of car is melted, had to have car towed home 31.9 miles. Called Suzuki about car they asked me is there a recall on the car, go figure please help !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! …
This Suzuki needs to be recalled altogether! No one should still be driving these. Not only can the headlights or brake light sensor switches go bad and just stop working, they overheat, drain the battery, overwork the alternator, which then needs to be replaced, the fall displays every gear all at once even while in drive and displaying a speed the vehicle is traveling. The door handles brake off, so you can not escape the death trap. They have blown head gasket, many small oil leaks, tire pressure gage problems, tires/wheels won't align, this balds the tire lop sided so tire blow outs occur more frequently. Half the tone it won't even go, now or won't start at all. Many more issues with this vehicle, buyer beware, do not buy these cars!
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that smoke appeared from the engine compartment. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road to be inspected. However, the contact was not able to determine where the failure was located. The contact made several attempts to contact the local dealer but was not able to get a response to get the vehicle inspected. Also, the contact recently received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V262000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the contact heard a noise as the vehicle stalled. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the engine had fractured. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle previously jerked. The engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the engine warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 15 MPH, the contact noticed a burning odor. Upon inspection, it was found that there were flames emitting from the engine compartment which then spread to the rest of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Engine complaints in other Forenza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Suzuki Forenza?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Suzuki Forenza, 17% of the model year's 256 complaints. The component named most often is engine (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Suzuki Forenza engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Suzuki Forenza, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Suzuki Forenza engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 8 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.