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 2004 Suzuki Verona owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's fianc 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 at various speeds and coming to a stop at a red light or stop sign, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power on multiple occasions. The vehicle was able to be restarted. Additionally, the contact stated that the driver's seat belt failed to latch, and the front passenger's side seat belt locked without movement. The check engine, air bag, seat belt, and oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the timing chain and lifters needed to be replaced. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the additional failures. …
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 and drive home safely. Afterwards, when the vehicle was started, all the instrument panel indicators illuminated and the service indicator remained illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 144,000.
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 that the emc needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V396000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000. The VIN was not available.
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 again. The vehicle was started for the third time and drove normally. The contact also stated that the failure occurred six other times. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Suzuki Verona 2004 purchased the car new had engine replaced and on 3 rd transmission. Car recently was parked with a child inside of it and went up in flames fortunately no one was injured. Car was destroyed and total. Suzuki has had major issues with this vehicle and refuse to do anything. This car is a death trap waiting to happen. I had the serviced regularly and had a certified Suzuki dealership to do all warrant work on vehicle and it was regularly serviced.
I purchased my vehicle in oct 2003. Since then I have taken it in numerous times, where I was told at one time the vehicle was "designed to stall". Never heard that before. Anyhow, it stalls, even now the weather is warmed up, it still stalls from time to time. It also does not accelerate properly, I had contacted Suzuki who claimed they would call me back and never have to this day. I have had a fuel pump put in, the hold button needed to be fixed because it depressed and wouldn't depress (while I was cleaning vehicle). It hesitates when driving at a steady pace as well. The customer service I have received from both the dealer and Suzuki is terrible. Whenever I am approached in public while traveling and people ask how I like my Suzuki and it's warranty, I tell them don't buy it and you will need the warranty. I have never bought a brand new car before. …
I bought a 2004 Suzuki Verona 4 door sedan, in October 2003. Since then I have taken it to the dealership numerous times, they keep sending me away without fixing it, they say when the car stalls thats the way it was designed. And all the cars I have owned in the past I've never heard of them being designed to stall!! It does not accelerate properly, the car stalls miss fires when cold, it doesn't shift right, the service person said that it was my driving (bull)! The mechanic supposed to fix the clock three times and still doesn't work, the heated seats don't work properly, the cigerette liter doesn't work, they said it was the fuse but the fuses are good. …
I purchased my 2004 Suzuki Verona on jan. 30, 2007. From the second day I own it, it has made noise like it was a diesel engine. I was told that the ticking sound coming from the top end of the motor was normal, that it was the self adjusting cam gears. I could hear a rod knocking in the lower end of the motor but no one at the service department could hear it and their trained to hear these type of things. Suzuki supposedly rebuilt the top end of the motor but the ticking continued. They then were supposedly to have replaced the short block ( the lower end of the motor) but the rod continues to knock to this day. The car has died at speeds between 35 MPH up to 70 MPH. It died one day as I was making a left hand turn and I was barely able to avoid being broad sided by an on-coming vehicle where my mother could have been injured or killed. …
My 2004 Suzuki Verona currently has 102,000 miles on it, but started hesitating and stalling at 50,000 miles. Upon stopping at an intersection, the accelerator could be pressed to the floor and the vehicle would hesitate for several seconds and then surge forward. It would also stall at intersections at times. The check engine light would light at times, but not always. The local dealership began addressing this issue at 50,000 miles and followed the repairs approved by the Suzuki rep. This LED to the vehicle being in for the same issue at least a half dozen times after the initial repair. Suzuki continued to approve partial repairs, but never approved the complete repair of the issue. This resulted in a recurrence as recently June of 2010, and once again partial repairs were approved. …
Purchased Suzuki Verona in April, 2004. Noticed early on that the engine sounded too loud. When car is heated and upon acceleration it gets louder. The engine idles rough like a diesel engine and at times knocks. I have mentioned to the service dept. Everytime I take it in for oil changes and they act like they don't hear or know what I am talking about. I even had the tech. Ride around with me so that he could hear what I was talking about. He mentioned it could be lifters or timing chain and would have the office call to see if there were any recalls. Very reluctant to do anything. Finally in September the car stalled in the middle of the street. Had to be towed home. Started up again the next day. Then I received the recall notice. The ECM has been replaced and no more stalling so far, but the engine just does not sound right. No response from the dealer. …
Engine complaints in other Verona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Suzuki Verona?
NHTSA has 79 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Suzuki Verona, 51% of the model year's 155 complaints. The component named most often is engine (31 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Suzuki Verona engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Suzuki Verona, though it has 5 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 2004 Suzuki Verona engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 9,000 miles, and 66% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury 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.