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
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.
What owners actually said
156 reportsELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH DAY RUNNING LIGHTS. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT WAS NOT BULBS BUT WOULD BE SAFE - JUST NO DAY RUNNING LIGHTS. THREE DAYS LATER (FIRST TIME RUN WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AFTER BEING AT DEALER) SMELLED ELECTRICAL BURNING. TOOK TO PERSONAL MECHANIC. WIRES ARE MELTED TOGETHER. SINCE TSB ISSUED FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE …
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ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH DAY RUNNING LIGHTS. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT WAS NOT BULBS BUT WOULD BE SAFE - JUST NO DAY RUNNING LIGHTS. THREE DAYS LATER (FIRST TIME RUN WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AFTER BEING AT DEALER) SMELLED ELECTRICAL BURNING. TOOK TO PERSONAL MECHANIC. WIRES ARE MELTED TOGETHER. SINCE TSB ISSUED FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSES BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HORN IS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE. *MC
I HAVE A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED. I HAVE NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND I HAVE NO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND A SUZUKI FORUM AND IN THE FORUM MANY PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS HEADLIGHT PROBLEM IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I DO FI…
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I HAVE A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED. I HAVE NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND I HAVE NO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND A SUZUKI FORUM AND IN THE FORUM MANY PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS HEADLIGHT PROBLEM IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I DO FIND A COMPLAINT HERE WHERE A SINGLE MOM HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND SUZUKI REFUSES TO FIX IT. I CAN'T FIND ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. ISN'T THE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURER DEFECTS? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME?
HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA AND WAS WONDERING IF YOUR SITE COULD ASSIST ME. I TOOK IT BACK FOR NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR AIR BAG SENSOR,HEADLIGHT FAILURE,KEY NOT BEING ABLE TO COME OUT OF IGNITION,AND UNABLE TO MOVE GEARSHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT PUTTING A KEY IN CONSOLE GEARSHIFT.DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR…
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HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA AND WAS WONDERING IF YOUR SITE COULD ASSIST ME. I TOOK IT BACK FOR NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR AIR BAG SENSOR,HEADLIGHT FAILURE,KEY NOT BEING ABLE TO COME OUT OF IGNITION,AND UNABLE TO MOVE GEARSHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT PUTTING A KEY IN CONSOLE GEARSHIFT.DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR LABOR. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND I NEED ADVISE ON WHAT I SHOULD DO.THEY DON'T WANT TO LET ME TRADE IT IN WITHOUT $3,000. I THINK ITS WRONG TO DO SOMETHING LIKE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE.I HAVE TO DRIVE 60 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GAS IS THREE DOLLARS A GALLON.I'M FED UP AND ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE APPRECIATED THANK YOU ANGELA YOUNG
MY COMPLAINT ABOUT MY SUZUKI,FORENZA IS THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST TWICE FOR A SENSOR PROBLEM. MY SENSOR FOR MY DAY TIME LIGHTS CONSTANTLY GOES OUT AND COMES ON WHENEVER IT WANTS. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY PUT ON A NEW ONE BUT EVEN NOW IT CONSTANTLY GOES OUT THEN BACK ON AGAI…
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MY COMPLAINT ABOUT MY SUZUKI,FORENZA IS THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST TWICE FOR A SENSOR PROBLEM. MY SENSOR FOR MY DAY TIME LIGHTS CONSTANTLY GOES OUT AND COMES ON WHENEVER IT WANTS. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY PUT ON A NEW ONE BUT EVEN NOW IT CONSTANTLY GOES OUT THEN BACK ON AGAIN; I CANNOT TAKE IT BACK TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT BECAUSE THEY SAY MY WARRANTY IS OVER; ALSO MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS NO LONGER WORK BECAUSE OF A WIRING PROBLEM THE EXISTS. SOMEONE LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS A WIRE THAT LAYS AGAINST A PART OF THE ENGINE THAT GOES TO THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND IT BURNED OUT. ONE DAY I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND I THOUGHT IT NEEDED OIL. THE NEXT DAY I HAD NO LOW BEAM LIGHTS TO USE. I CAN ONLY USE MY HIGH BEAM NOW BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID MY WARRANTY RAN OUT. THIS CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND I BOUGHT IT WITH ONLY 5 MILES ON IT. THOSE WIRING SHOULD NOT BE DEFECTIVE AS OF YET. I FOUND OUT FROM A CO-WORKER WHO HAS A FORENZA IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM; HE CANNOT USE HIS LOW BEAM LIGHTS ANYMORE AND HIS WARRANTY IS OVER; HE HAS TO USE HIS HIGH BEAM ALSO. PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (8-MAY-07): THE COMPLAINANT INDICATED THAT SOMETIMES EVEN THE HIGH BEAMS DO NOT WORK NOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA WAGON. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. ON 6 OCCASION, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HE LATER STATED THAT IT WAS RELATED TO A WIRING MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. *AK UPDATED 05/21/2007. *JB
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE ON MARCH 23 , 2007. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRYING TO START IT AND REQUIRED THREE OR MORE ATTEMPTS IN ORDER TO START THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THE DEALER ORDE…
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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE ON MARCH 23 , 2007. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRYING TO START IT AND REQUIRED THREE OR MORE ATTEMPTS IN ORDER TO START THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THE DEALER ORDERED AND REPLACED A SECTION OF THE STEERING COLUMN. ON 4/15/07 WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON I-95 THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, THE CONTACT ALSO LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY AN EXIT RAMP, FORCING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,617, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,643.*AK
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA WITH A CURRENT MILEAGE OF 18,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE PASTED THE 15,000 MILE MARK IT HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 20 DEGREES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ONCE THE VEHICLE STARTED UNDER THES…
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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA WITH A CURRENT MILEAGE OF 18,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE PASTED THE 15,000 MILE MARK IT HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 20 DEGREES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ONCE THE VEHICLE STARTED UNDER THESE COLD CONDITIONS IT WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD BEEN CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. ON JANUARY 29, 2007 THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. ON JANUARY 29, 2007 THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING OR PRIOR TO THE FIRE. ALSO, THERE WAS NO PRIOR MAINTENANCE WORKED PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEGE WERE 32,000. *AK PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (8-MAY-2007): THE COMPLAINANT INDICATED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS HEADLIGHTS OFTEN CAME ON INSTEAD OF THE LOW BEAMS.
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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