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2005 Suzuki Forenza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Suzuki Forenza do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 156.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

124 reports with mileage · 32 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports7 fire reports7 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

46 reports
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30,000 miles · Sep 29, 2009
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL; WHICH, INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND SEVERAL REPAIRS WERE MADE; HOWEVER, NONE OF TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL; WHICH, INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND SEVERAL REPAIRS WERE MADE; HOWEVER, NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10285636

15,995 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Air Bags

WE OWN THREE 2005 SUZUKI FORENZAS. EACH HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH EITHER THE AIRBAG OR AIRBAG SENSOR. ONE OF OUR VEHICLES CURRENTLY WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON. THIS IS ITS SECOND PROBLEM OF THE SAME KIND. ONE OF THE OTHER VEHICLES HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THREE TIMES. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY …

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WE OWN THREE 2005 SUZUKI FORENZAS. EACH HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH EITHER THE AIRBAG OR AIRBAG SENSOR. ONE OF OUR VEHICLES CURRENTLY WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON. THIS IS ITS SECOND PROBLEM OF THE SAME KIND. ONE OF THE OTHER VEHICLES HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THREE TIMES. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. SUZUKI HAS NEVER TOLD ME IF THIS IS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG, THE SENSOR, THE HARNESS, OR SOMETHING ELSE. MY CONCERN IS TWO-FOLD: (1) WILL I HAVE TO PAY ANNUALLY FOR A SERIOUS SUZUKI DEFECT IN ORDER TO PASS INSPECTION? (2) IS THIS A REAL PROBLEM? DO I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN? SUZUKI HAS NEVER TOLD ME IF THIS IS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG, THE SENSOR, THE HARNESS, OR SOMETHING ELSE. MY WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS DRIVE THESE VEHICLES. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINEERING DESIGN PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES INVESTIGATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285503

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2008
Air Bags

THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM INOPERATIVE LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO SHOP AT LEAST 5 TIMES DURING WARRANTY PERIOD AND HAS FAILED TO BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248717

68,000 miles · Aug 19, 2008
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,171 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10238923

45,035 miles · Jul 28, 2008
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEPT TURNING OFF. WITHIN AN HOUR OF SOMEONE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLEARED THE CODE, WHICH TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE FAILURE. TWO M…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEPT TURNING OFF. WITHIN AN HOUR OF SOMEONE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLEARED THE CODE, WHICH TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE FAILURE. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE LIGHT BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AGAIN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, BUT WAS NEVER SUCCESSFUL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,035 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ATTACHED A HARNESS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT.. UPDATED 09/10/8. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10235973

48,000 miles · Feb 7, 2008
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE CUP HOLDER; THEREFORE, IF ANYTHING SPILLS IN THE CUP HOLDER, IT DAMAGES THE SENSOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,0…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE CUP HOLDER; THEREFORE, IF ANYTHING SPILLS IN THE CUP HOLDER, IT DAMAGES THE SENSOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10217343

15,371 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Air Bags

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY LIT. SINCE SEPT. 22, 2006 THREE MORE ATTEMPTS HAS BEEN MADE TO FIX THE ERROR. TODATE, JAN. 1, 2008, DEALER HAS NOT RETURNED MY CALLS.*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213374

10,000 miles · Dec 6, 2007
Air Bags

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE SUZUKI FORENZA'S AIRBAG SENSOR (I HAVE A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA) IS UNDER THE CUP HOLDER AND FAULTS OUT EASILY DUE TO CONDENSATION FROM BEVERAGES. MINE JUST WENT OUT FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 2 YEARS. I CONTACTED SUZUKI, AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS 50,000 MILES AND IS…

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FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE SUZUKI FORENZA'S AIRBAG SENSOR (I HAVE A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA) IS UNDER THE CUP HOLDER AND FAULTS OUT EASILY DUE TO CONDENSATION FROM BEVERAGES. MINE JUST WENT OUT FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 2 YEARS. I CONTACTED SUZUKI, AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS 50,000 MILES AND IS OUT OF THE "BUMPER-TO-BUMPER" WARRANTY PERIOD. MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH STAYS ON ALL THE TIME NOW, INDICATING A PROBLEM. AFTER WEB RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THIS IS VERY COMMON, YET THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY SAFETY RELATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211023

56,000 miles · Oct 15, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN BOTH VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BENT INTO THE DASHBOARD AND STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DEST…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN BOTH VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BENT INTO THE DASHBOARD AND STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACIAL ABRASIONS, CHIPPED TEETH, CUTS, AND BRUISES. SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT INJURIES THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER RECEIVED IN THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE REAR ENDED VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. THE NUMBER OF PERSONS INJURED IN THAT VEHICLE COULD BE THREE OR MORE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF BOTH HERSELF AND HER VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000 UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10205702

106 miles · Oct 1, 2007
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATES "OFF" MOST OF THE TIME WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO THE DEALER SINCE THE BEGINNING AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND THAT IT IS NORMAL .... THAT MY 130# SON IS 'TOO THIN'. THERE HAS BEEN A TSB ISSUED ON THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10204514

Official recalls

3

14V262000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

May 19, 2014

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Forenza vehicles, and 2005-2008 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2003, through July 30, 2008. In the affected vehicles, heat may be generated in the headlamp switch or daytime running light (DRL) module which could melt the headlamp switch or the DRL module.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the heat generated within the headlamp switch or DRL module located on the left side of the steering column melts the headlamp switch or DRL module, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Suzuki will replace the signal switch and add a jumper relay kit and will replace the DRL Module in teh instrument panel harness. Suzuki distributed to owners an interim letter on July 30, 2014. The recall began October 29, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is XA.

12V397000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash; Exterior Lighting:headlights

Aug 14, 2012

Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Forenza and model year 2005-2006 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 23, 2003, through March 7, 2006. Increased resistance due to poor contact between the terminals of certain wires can generate heat that can melt the splice pack used to connect the power circuit wires for the headlamps. This can result in intermittent or total loss of low/high beam headlamp function.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and Suzuki dealers will reconnect the affected wires with two heat-shrink crimps, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 25, 2012. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-877-697-8985.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:headlights

Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Forenza and model year 2005-2006 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 23, 2003, through March 7, 2006. Increased resistance due to poor contact between the terminals of certain wires can generate heat that can melt the splice pack used to connect the power circuit wires for the headlamps. This can result in intermittent or total loss of low/high beam headlamp function.

Consequence: If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and Suzuki dealers will reconnect the affected wires with two heat-shrink crimps, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 25, 2012. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-877-697-8985.

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Forenza and model year 2005-2006 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 23, 2003, through March 7, 2006. Increased resistance due to poor contact between the terminals of certain wires can generate heat that can melt the splice pack used to connect the power circuit wires for the headlamps. This can result in intermittent or total loss of low/high beam headlamp function.

Consequence: If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and Suzuki dealers will reconnect the affected wires with two heat-shrink crimps, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 25, 2012. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-877-697-8985.

07V452000 · Exterior Lighting

Sep 25, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, HEADLAMP LOW BEAM OR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT (DRL) FUNCTION MAY BE INOPERATIVE DUE TO A MELTED SPLICE PACK ON THE WIRING HARNESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INAPPROPRIATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLES AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SPLICE THE POWER CIRCUIT WIRES FOR THE LOW-BEAM HEADLAMPS AND DRL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN THREE PHASES, STARTING AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2007 AND CONCLUDING BY THE END OF JANUARY 2008;. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE07039 · Headlight / Drl Malfunction

Opened Jul 24, 2007 · Closed Oct 2, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2007, SUZUKI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL RECALL MODEL YEARS 2004 -2006 FORENZA AND RENO VEHICLES TO CORRECT A DEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF HEADLIGHT AND/OR DRL FUNCTION.THIS RECALL AFFECTS 93,963 VEHICLES.NHTSA ASSIGNED NUMBER 07V-452 FOR THIS RECALL.NHTSA'S INVESTIGATION INITIALLY FOCUSED ON 2005 FORENZAS, THEN EXPANDED IT TO 2004-2005 FORENZAS (TOTAL OF 58,448 VEHICLES). SUZUKI BROADENED THE RECALL SCOPE TO COVER 2004-2006 FORENZAS & RENOS (93,963 VEHICLES).THE WIRING HARNESS BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTAINS A SPLICE PACK TO CONNECT THE POWER CIRCUIT WIRES FOR LOW-BEAM HEADLAMPS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (DRL).INCREASED RESISTANCE DUE TO POOR CONTACT BETWEEN TERMINALS CAN GENERATE HEAT WHICH CAN LEAD TO MELTING OF THE SPLICE PACK IN THE AREA OF WIRES AND THE LOSS OF HEADLIGHT AND/OR DRL FUNCTION. FOR THE REMEDY, DEALERS WILL SPLICE THE POWER CIRCUIT WIRES FOR THE LOW-BEAM HEADLAMPS AND DRLS FREE OF CHARGE.SUZUKI'S RECALL CAMPAIGN (MANUFACTURER RECALL NO. NB) IS EXPECTED TO START AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2007.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.