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
What owners actually said
156 reports
992 miles · Jul 15, 2005
Power Train
DT: CALLER HAS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. CAR JERKS WITHOUT WARNING BECAUSE THE ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION LEARNING SOFTWARE IN THE COMPUTE IS DEFECTIVE. CALLER SAYS THE ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING IS AFFECTED BY THE COMPUTER PROBLEM, AND THE CAR HUNTS BETWEEN GEARS, AND THAT IS WHY IT JERKS. CALLER IS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS FAMILY BEI…
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DT: CALLER HAS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. CAR JERKS WITHOUT WARNING BECAUSE THE ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION LEARNING SOFTWARE IN THE COMPUTE IS DEFECTIVE. CALLER SAYS THE ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING IS AFFECTED BY THE COMPUTER PROBLEM, AND THE CAR HUNTS BETWEEN GEARS, AND THAT IS WHY IT JERKS. CALLER IS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS FAMILY BEING IN THIS CAR. DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NO FIX AT THIS TIME, DEALER WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. CALLER DID E-MAIL MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10126450
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN OVER THE LAST 8-9 MONTHS FOR A METAL TO METAL SOUND IN THE SECONDARY BRAKING SYSTEM. DEALER SAID IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. THE CALIPERS ON THE SECONDARY BRAKING SYSTEM THAT OPERATESD THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE IN THE REAR. IF THE PADS DISLODGE…
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DT: THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN OVER THE LAST 8-9 MONTHS FOR A METAL TO METAL SOUND IN THE SECONDARY BRAKING SYSTEM. DEALER SAID IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. THE CALIPERS ON THE SECONDARY BRAKING SYSTEM THAT OPERATESD THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE IN THE REAR. IF THE PADS DISLODGED IT WOULD CAUSE THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AROUND 10-15 TIMES. CONSUMER'S FATHER, STEVE HERMAN, HAS FILED THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER WHO WAS AWAY AT COLLEGE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10126035
2,600 miles · Jun 11, 2005
Air Bags
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS OFF LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED EVEN IF PASSENGER WEIGHING OVER 100 POUNDS IS SEATED IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SENSOR WILL RESET IF PASSENGER GETS OUT AND CAR IS RESTARTED. DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND REFUSES TO FIX SEAT SENSOR.
NHTSA ODI #10125014
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2005
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SEATBELT COMES UNSECURED BY ITSELF--HAS HAPPENED TWICE. HAVE ONLY HAD VEHICLE ABOUT TWO MONTHS. PURCHASED BRAND NEW.
NHTSA ODI #10120598
350 miles · Apr 12, 2005
Air Bags
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL REMAIN OFF WHEN BEING OCCUPIED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY RUNNING. DEALER STATED THEY HAD NO SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10115416
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2005
Air Bags
UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE; IF THE PASSENGER WAS NOT SEATED IN THE VEHICLE BEFORE STARTING THE AIR BAG SENSOR WILL NOT ENGAGE. IF THERE IS ANY SLIGHT MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT THE SENSOR WILL DISENGAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
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.
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.
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.
2005 Suzuki Forenza Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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