SUZUKI: SUZUKI HAS REPLACEMENT OIL PUMPS THAT HAVE A THREADED PLUG. THE THREADED PROVES TO BE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE WITHOUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE NEW OIL PUMP. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES PROCEDURES WHEN REPLACING THE OLD OIL PUMP.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Suzuki Forenza engine problems
severe Owners of the 2007 Suzuki Forenza have filed 27 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 64,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Forenza | 13 |
| 2006 Forenza | 26 |
| 2007 Forenza (this page) | 27 |
| 2008 Forenza | 6 |
6fires
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Suzuki Forenza we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 27.
Owners have filed 27 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SUZUKI VEHICLE: COUNTER MEASURE PROCEDURE FOR DTC P2135. MIL LIGHT IS ON; DTC P2135 STORED WITHOUT FULLY CHECKING SYSTEM AND CIRCUITS AFTER REPAIRS AND/OR REPLACEMENT TO THROTTLE BODY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Forenza engine cluster shows a pattern of serious, recurring defects that dealers and Suzuki have not adequately addressed. The most common complaint is transmission range sensor failure—owners report it failing four times in five years, twice within nine months, or repeatedly every couple of years, costing $200–$400 per replacement. When it fails, the vehicle jerks into gear unpredictably, shifts into neutral at highway speeds without warning, and the dashboard gear display scrambles. Multiple owners state Suzuki knowingly ignores this widespread issue.
Engine problems are equally severe: vehicles develop persistent knocking sounds that continue even after full motor replacement, stall suddenly during normal driving and require multiple restart attempts, and fracture internally at highway speeds. One owner's engine was replaced but the warning light never turned off.
Cooling system failures appear tied to overheating and head gasket breakdown. Coolant leaks that no mechanic can locate are followed by rapid temperature spikes, exploding coolant, and failing cooling fans.
Several vehicles have caught fire in the engine compartment—some while being driven, others while parked—destroying the vehicle or requiring emergency fire department response. One fire involved the relay switch for the cooling fan.
Hesitation between 30–50 mph is another pattern; dealer repairs temporarily fix it, then it recurs within weeks. Throughout the complaint set, dealers either deny defects exist, claim the vehicle is working "as designed," or offer no assistance after Suzuki is contacted.
Same Suzuki Forenza engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Engine knock and stalling
Motor develops a persistent knocking sound from the top of the engine that continues even after dealer repair attempts and full motor replacement. Vehicle subsequently stalls without warning and loses all power during normal driving.
When: 11 miles (initial knock); 40,000 miles (stalling)
Symptoms owners cite: knocking sound from top of engine; vehicle stalls and loses power; noise persists after motor replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced top portion of motor; specialist replaced entire motor, but knocking persisted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated vehicle was working as designed despite ongoing issues
Coolant loss and head gasket failure
Vehicle loses radiator coolant sporadically with no visible leak identifiable by multiple mechanics. Engine cooling fans fail intermittently, causing rapid temperature increase and coolant to explode from the engine compartment. Head gasket fails, contributing to fluid loss.
When: 53,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: loss of radiator fluid; smoke under hood; engine temperature increases rapidly; coolant explosion; cooling fans fail sporadically
Repairs/costs cited: Second mechanic diagnosed failing cooling fans and head gasket; no repairs completed
Engine hesitation and surge
Vehicle hesitates and decelerates while driving at 30–50 mph, with service engine light remaining on. Hesitation is intermittent; dealer repairs temporarily resolve the issue for a few weeks before failure recurs. Multiple repair attempts including wiring harness replacement, accelerator work, sensor replacement, and computer reprogramming provide only temporary fixes.
When: 3,000 miles; recurs periodically through 12,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: hesitation between 30–50 mph; vehicle decelerates; service engine light on; temporary fixes followed by recurring failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced wiring harness, accelerator, sensors, and reprogrammed computer; issues returned within weeks each time
Transmission range sensor failure
Transmission range sensor fails repeatedly throughout the vehicle's life, causing transmission to jerk into gear, fail to engage properly, or unexpectedly shift into neutral while driving. Check engine light illuminates with diagnostic codes P0700 and P0705. Dashboard display scrambles or shows incorrect gear positions. Some owners report multiple failures requiring repeated replacements.
When: 38,000–70,000 miles with recurrent failures
Symptoms owners cite: jerking into gear; transmission hesitation; unexpected shift to neutral while driving at highway speeds; check engine light P0700/P0705; dashboard gear display scrambles; transmission drag during acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replaced multiple times at $200–$400 per repair; one owner reported four replacements in five years
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered no assistance; widespread owner complaints suggest awareness of pattern
Engine fire
Vehicle catches fire in the engine compartment while being driven or parked. Multiple incidents reported with flames and smoke originating from engine area, with one incident destroying the vehicle completely. One case involved relay switch controlling cooling fan catching fire.
When: 64,000–130,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: smoke in engine compartment; flames in engine area; burning odor; fire spread throughout vehicle; dashboard and visor melted
Repairs/costs cited: One diagnosed relay switch failure; other causes not identified before fire damage
Timing belt failure
Timing belt fails, resulting in loss of power to transmission and loss of electrical power to the vehicle. Engine stalls without warning during low-speed driving.
When: 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: timing belt failure; no power to transmission; interior lights emit burning fumes; door locks click constantly
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed by independent mechanic; vehicle not repaired
Repeated engine stalling
Engine cuts off suddenly during normal driving despite electrical systems remaining functional. Vehicle requires multiple restart attempts. Stalling recurs, particularly at traffic stops, posing safety risk if it occurs at highway speeds.
When: 34,000–86,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: engine cuts off while driving; electrical power remains; requires multiple restart attempts; stalls at stop lights; stalling progresses in frequency
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified in one case but no response recorded
Engine cracking and fracture
Engine develops structural fractures while the vehicle is in motion at highway speed, causing stalling and requiring full engine replacement. Engine warning light illuminates and remains on even after replacement.
When: 58,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: loud noise as vehicle stalls; engine fractures; engine warning light remains illuminated; vehicle jerked prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replaced; warning light persisted after repair
Overheating and exhaust in coolant
Vehicle overheats chronically since purchase. Exhaust gases enter the coolant system. Engine headers blow or fry as a result of the defect.
When: Since purchase; ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: chronic overheating; exhaust in coolant tank; engine headers blown or fried
Electrical fire hazard
Electrical wiring harness inside cabin melts due to fire. Drive indicator lights fail to turn off, draining battery. Vehicle catches fire. Air conditioning blows only hot air despite adequate refrigerant. Tire pressure warning light remains illuminated with new tires.
When: 31,900 miles (towing distance after fire)
Symptoms owners cite: wiring harness melts inside car; drive lights will not turn off; vehicle catches fire with smoke; no power after fire; air conditioning blows hot air only; tire pressure light stays on
Repairs/costs cited: Car full of fire extinguisher smoke; harness melted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer asked about recall status but offered no assistance
Radiator fan bolts loose and missing
Bolts securing the radiator cooling fan are loose or missing, creating a safety hazard and cooling system risk. Replacement parts become unavailable.
When: 12,000–17,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: radiator fan bolts loose; radiator fan bolts missing
Repairs/costs cited: Parts ordered but unavailable at time of complaint
Check engine light with O2 sensor replacement
Check engine warning light illuminates and remains on after flashing for several months. Replacement of O2 sensor does not resolve the issue.
When: 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light flashing for months; check engine light remains illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: O2 sensor replaced; failure recurred
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Suzuki forenza. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact heard a dripping sound underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was returned to its place of purchase and the dealer also stated that there was an issue with the passenger side air bag . The contact was informed that the sensor was working properly and the dripping sound was caused by the condensation from…
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Suzuki Forenza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Suzuki Forenza?
It's a meaningful issue. 27 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 44,456 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 64,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,456; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Suzuki/Forenza.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.