ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BECOME MISADJUSTED IF AN UPWARD/REARWARD FORCE

Jan 28, 2005 — Recall Campaign #05V022000

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BECOME MISADJUSTED IF AN UPWARD/REARWARD FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP, TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY WITHOUT BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION, WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE ON OR OFF POSITION.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 37,796 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

05V022000

Manufacturer:	Suzuki Motor USA, LLC
Recall date:	January 28, 2005
NHTSA Campaign #:	05V022000
Units affected:	37,796

Description:: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BECOME MISADJUSTED IF AN UPWARD/REARWARD FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP, TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY WITHOUT BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION, WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE ON OR OFF POSITION.
Consequeces:: IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING,A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN YOUR BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO DISCHARGE THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY, AND, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH, CRUISE CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, IF EQUIPPED, WILL BECOME DISABLED.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 16, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Notes:: SUZUKI RECALL NO. KF. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Affects the following:

2004 SUZUKI FORENZA Complaints
I OWN A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA AND THIS CAR IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. IT OVER HEATS EVERYONE I DRIVE IT WHICH IS DAILY. IT STARTS ONLY WHEN THE MOTOR IS SOMEWHAT COOL. THIS CAT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. LIKE AT THE MOMENT THE CAR HAS OVER HEATED AND I'M PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF HWY 26 HEADING TO PORTLAND. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAT TO MY MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND UPON ITS RETURN WITHIN DAYS THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING. THE STEERING IS A MESS. THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD I'VE TAKEN IT TO LESSCHWAB 4 TIMES GOTTEN TWO ALIGNMENTS WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD AND STILL CAR DOESN'T DRIVE RIGHT. I'VE REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET,,STARTER,BATTERY,TIRES, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. THIS IS NOT AD DEPENDABLE CAR. I'M 60 MILES FROM HOME AND WONDERING HOW I'M GONNA GET BACK HOME. THANK YOU SUZUKI;
2004 SUZUKI VERONA Complaints
The contact's fiancé 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. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic, where a diagnostic tool retrieved various failure codes for unknown sensors and failure with the engine. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failures and the dealer confirmed there was no related recalls for the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,500.;