IllustrationAIR BAG LIGHT ON SINCE BOUGHT CAR IN 2006. WIRING FOR AIRBAGS HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE STILL AN ISSUE AT OWNER EXPENSE. OUTLET AND LIGHTER STOP WORKING YEAR AFTER CAR WAS BOUGHT. HEADLIGHT WIRING REPLACE TWICE AND DAY LIGHTS STILL ONLY COMES ON SOME TIMES. *TR
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
390–25K
2525–50K
2950–75K
775–100K
19100–150K
5150K+
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
38 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE AND WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE AND WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS MELTED WIRES NOW THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. THERE WAS A RECALL TO FIX MELTED WIRES IN A SPLICE PACK BUT SUZUKI WILL NOT HONOR IT BECAUSE NOW THE WIRES ARE MELTED IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR
I CALLED THE SUZUKI CORPORATE OFFICE BECAUSE MY 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA HEAD LAMPS GO ON AND OFF. THEY RE-CALLED THIS IN 2007, I DID NOT OWN IT THEN BUT THEY CLAIM THE CAR WAS FIXED UNDER THE RE-CALL. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO TRAVEL 2 HOURS TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AGAIN AND MUST PAY FOR IT.........THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CRAP.......…
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I CALLED THE SUZUKI CORPORATE OFFICE BECAUSE MY 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA HEAD LAMPS GO ON AND OFF. THEY RE-CALLED THIS IN 2007, I DID NOT OWN IT THEN BUT THEY CLAIM THE CAR WAS FIXED UNDER THE RE-CALL. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO TRAVEL 2 HOURS TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AGAIN AND MUST PAY FOR IT.........THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CRAP........ WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE.........SHORT OF SUING THEM WHEN WE GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT ON A DARK ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. WHICH TRUST ME I WILL DO IF THAT HAPPENS! *TR
BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO TURN ON UPON STARTING THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAG WARRING LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN CAME ON AND STAYS ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE TURNING SIGNALS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHO ONLY REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE WIRING HARNESS BEING DEFECTIVE AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACES.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE TURNING SIGNALS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHO ONLY REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE WIRING HARNESS BEING DEFECTIVE AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 07V452000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS OR HEADLIGHTS AT TIMES; ONCE THE WIRING HARNESS COOLED OFF, THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN BACK ON. IF THE VEHICLE WAS WARM, THEY WOULD TURN OFF AGA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 07V452000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS OR HEADLIGHTS AT TIMES; ONCE THE WIRING HARNESS COOLED OFF, THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN BACK ON. IF THE VEHICLE WAS WARM, THEY WOULD TURN OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.
LOWBEAMS FAILED AFTER RECALL SERVICES PERFORMED AND WARRANTY EXPIRED. FUSES AND RELAY SYSTEM FINE. CALLED SUZUKI, INFORMED THERE WILL BE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE FOR THIS BECAUSE THE RECALL WORK HAD BEEN PERFORMED ALREADY AND CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
THE HEADLAMPS ON THE CAR DO NOT WORK ALL I CAN USE ARE THE HIGH BEAMS, THE INSIDE LIGHTING FOR THE RADIO DO NOT WORK EITHER AND THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. SHE HAD HER VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 07V452000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) IN DECEMBER 2009. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEAD-LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS TO GET HOME. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. SHE HAD HER VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 07V452000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) IN DECEMBER 2009. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEAD-LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS TO GET HOME. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM REPLACED AT HER EXPENSE. SHE REFERENCED THE PRIOR RECALL AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. SHE HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 62,000- UPDATED 1/11/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/10.*JB
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.