TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR MALFUNCTION. CAR WON'T ACCELERATE OR GO ABOVE 1ST GEAR. $160 TO REPLACE. KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Forenza years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Engine complaints
12 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHEN THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION IT IS HOT, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIP OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AMERICA'S MOTOR SPORTS (930 8TH AVE S, NASHVILLE, TN 37203, (615) 834-8990) FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE KEY BECAME HOT WHENEVER IT WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHEN THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION IT IS HOT, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIP OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AMERICA'S MOTOR SPORTS (930 8TH AVE S, NASHVILLE, TN 37203, (615) 834-8990) FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE KEY BECAME HOT WHENEVER IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. *TT*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH STARTING. THE DEALER (GERMAIN TOYOTA OF NAPLES, 13315 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34110) WAS CONTACTED, BUT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH STARTING. THE DEALER (GERMAIN TOYOTA OF NAPLES, 13315 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34110) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED PRIOR TO BEING REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V262000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 12V397000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000.
I BOUGHT A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THESE CARS ARE SO HAZARDOUS. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER MY PURCHASE, THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO REVERSE ON THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET IT OUT OF REVERSE AND COAST TO THE SHOULDER. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THIS IS AN ONGOING DEFECT THAT, AND THAT THERE…
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I BOUGHT A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THESE CARS ARE SO HAZARDOUS. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER MY PURCHASE, THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO REVERSE ON THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET IT OUT OF REVERSE AND COAST TO THE SHOULDER. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THIS IS AN ONGOING DEFECT THAT, AND THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT SUZUKI HAS BEEN MADE AWARE BUT SITS BACK AND DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT. THIS CAR HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING DEADLY AND NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE MARKET SO THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME AREN'T FORCED TO DRIVE SOMETHING SO UNSAFE. I CAN'T AFFORD THE COSTLY REPAIRS AND I CAN'T SELL THIS CAR. I AM SCARED TO DEATH THAT IN ONE OF THE MANY STALLS SOME ONE IS GOING TO HIT ME. IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ON THE MARKET TO START WITH. I AM CONFIDENT THAT IF SOMEONE HASN'T ALREADY BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE CAR THAT THEY WILL BE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SHOOK FORCEFULLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE'S OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE UP, SO HE HAD THE TUNE UP REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE STILL P…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SHOOK FORCEFULLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE'S OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE UP, SO HE HAD THE TUNE UP REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, THE HEADLIGHTS, AND THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURN ON THE R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, THE HEADLIGHTS, AND THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURN ON THE RIGHT LEG THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V262000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,115.
FUSE FOR ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM BLEW AND CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO BLOW INTO PIECES. REPLACED RADIATOR, REPLACED BOTH COOLING SYSTEM FANS, CHECKED RELAYS, 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT NOW IT BLOWS THE COOLING SYSTEM FUSE AS SOON AS YOU TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FOUL ODOR EMITTING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FOUL ODOR EMITTING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,437. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
RECURRING EVENT AIR BAG LAMP KEEPS TURNING ON NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT HAD IT REPLACED TWICE SUZUKI DEALER WAS OFF FOR YEARS, NOW HAS COME BACK AND STAYED ON FOR MONTHS. ON 3/20/2014 CAR SPUTTER LOST POWER WAS ABLE TO PARK IT IN A PARKING SPACE NOT ABLE TO TURN BACK ON, PROBLEM FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. 8/28/2014 RECENTLY, WHILE DR…
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RECURRING EVENT AIR BAG LAMP KEEPS TURNING ON NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT HAD IT REPLACED TWICE SUZUKI DEALER WAS OFF FOR YEARS, NOW HAS COME BACK AND STAYED ON FOR MONTHS. ON 3/20/2014 CAR SPUTTER LOST POWER WAS ABLE TO PARK IT IN A PARKING SPACE NOT ABLE TO TURN BACK ON, PROBLEM FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. 8/28/2014 RECENTLY, WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, MY SUZUKI FORENZA 2005 LOST COMPLETE POWER: WHEN CHECKED THE BELIEVED PROBLEM IS 4-3 SHIFT MALFUNCTION P1884 MANUFACTURER CONT TRANS AND P0700 TRANS CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME TO GET A HOLD OF SUZUKI, TO SEE IF UNDER WARRANTY, IF ITS GOING TO BE RECALLED OR WHERE IT CAN BE REPAIRED, STILL TRYING TO GET A HOLD OF THEM. *TR
Official recalls
314V262000 · 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
1PE07039 · 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.
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