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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

What owners actually said

156 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

SOME WIRES INSIDE THE SIGNAL SWITCH WERE MELTING A PLASTIC PIECE INSIDE STEERING WHEEL. IT BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713115

44,706 miles · Apr 6, 2015
SteeringSuspension

TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE STRUTS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE LOOSE AND LETTING THE HANDLE UNSAFELY. THE LOCAL DEALER REPLACED THEM UNDER WARRANTY AND THE CAR DROVE BETTER. FAST FORWARD TO MARCH 2015, I CARRIED THE CAR IN FOR A DIFFERENT WARRANTY REPAIR BUT WASN'T TOLD THAT THE STRUTS WERE LOOSE AGAIN. I FOUND THIS OUT FROM MY…

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TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE STRUTS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE LOOSE AND LETTING THE HANDLE UNSAFELY. THE LOCAL DEALER REPLACED THEM UNDER WARRANTY AND THE CAR DROVE BETTER. FAST FORWARD TO MARCH 2015, I CARRIED THE CAR IN FOR A DIFFERENT WARRANTY REPAIR BUT WASN'T TOLD THAT THE STRUTS WERE LOOSE AGAIN. I FOUND THIS OUT FROM MY OWN MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY. I CONTACTED CORPORATE SUZUKI AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. MY MECHANIC TALKED TO ANOTHER SUZUKI DEALER & WAS TOLD THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THAT A KIT HAS TO BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT IT. I HAD TO PAY MY MECHANIC TO FIX IT. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL FOR THIS BECAUSE I HAD ONLY PUT 19,000 MILES ON SINCE THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WHICH APPARENTLY WAS DONE WITHOUT THE KIT? THE STRUTS WERE MOVING A QUARTER OF AN INCH. DOES THIS NOT POSE A SAFETY ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704065

101,000 miles · Feb 19, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DEAR NHTSA - I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR AGENCY IN THE US AND WORLD. YOU DO GREAT WORK FOR THE VALUE OF SAFETY! SO, I RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM SUZUKI AND I CALLED THE SUZUKI HEADQUARTERS TO FIND OUT WHERE/HOW TO GET IT FIXED. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL THIS 1 DEALER IN OAHU SINCE I AM ON OAHU TO GET THE RECALL REP…

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DEAR NHTSA - I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR AGENCY IN THE US AND WORLD. YOU DO GREAT WORK FOR THE VALUE OF SAFETY! SO, I RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM SUZUKI AND I CALLED THE SUZUKI HEADQUARTERS TO FIND OUT WHERE/HOW TO GET IT FIXED. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL THIS 1 DEALER IN OAHU SINCE I AM ON OAHU TO GET THE RECALL REPAIR DONE. WHEN I CALLED THAT SPECIFIC DEALER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT STATING THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS OR SOME OTHER REASON. ALL THEY COULD DO WAS PUT MY NAME ON A LIST. THEN, WHEN I CALLED SUZUKI HEADQUARTERS TO CONFIRM THIS INABILITY TO FIX MY RECALL, SUZUKI REPEATED THE DEALER INFO AND PHONE NUMBER AND TOLD ME THAT MY PROBLEM WAS SOMETHING ELSE. THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME WHEN I TOLD THEM THE DEALER WASN'T FIXING IT! I TOLD THEM THAT THEIR PROCESS WAS NOT ACCURATE AND SUZUKI HEADQUARTERS STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT AT HEADQUARTERS DID NOT ALLOW ME TO BE TRANSFERRED TO HIGHER MANAGEMENT. THE AGENT MISHEARD ME AND PUT DOWN WRONG INFORMATION IN HER NOTES. SHE ENDED BY SAYING THAT THEY ONLY FIX HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL NOTICE SAID THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO FIX: HEADLAMP SWITCH, DRL MODULE, SUBHARNESS, AND CIRCUIT CONTROL AT NO CHARGE! THAT'S ALL I WANT CHANGED - NOTHING MORE! NO ONE ON OAHU OR AT SUZUKI HEADQUARTERS HAS GIVEN ME ANY HELP FIXING THIS RECALL. I DON'T WANNA JUST JUNK THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS IS A FEDERAL RECALL AND IT IS FEDERAL MANDATE TO FIX THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY (SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE). HELP *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689435

111,125 miles · Jan 16, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE EXPOSED WIRES NEAR THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT SECURED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR TRUNK LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY THE CONTACT ON MORE THAN TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE EXPOSED WIRES NEAR THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT SECURED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR TRUNK LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY THE CONTACT ON MORE THAN TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V262000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,125.

NHTSA ODI #10673017

48,400 miles · Jan 8, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V262000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NO LONGER WORKED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DELAY WHEN SW…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V262000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NO LONGER WORKED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DELAY WHEN SWITCHING FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,400. UPDATED 3/24/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10670917

40,000 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED DURING NIGHT, THE HEADLAMP SWITCH BECAME HOT AND OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. DJR

NHTSA ODI #10670727

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI #10669540

23,437 miles · Oct 30, 2014
Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI #10651308

61,500 miles · Sep 23, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

GEARS STARTED SHIFTING ON THEIR OWN, AND AT TIMES DID NOT SHIFT AT ALL...THANK GOD I WAS ALREADY ARRIVING HOME WHEN IT SUDDENLY JUMPED INTO PARK, BRINGING THE CAR TO A SCREECHING HALT, AT THIS POINT I WAS ALREADY SLOWING DOWN TO GET INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THIS HAPPENED AFTER I HAD A 1HRS DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE…

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GEARS STARTED SHIFTING ON THEIR OWN, AND AT TIMES DID NOT SHIFT AT ALL...THANK GOD I WAS ALREADY ARRIVING HOME WHEN IT SUDDENLY JUMPED INTO PARK, BRINGING THE CAR TO A SCREECHING HALT, AT THIS POINT I WAS ALREADY SLOWING DOWN TO GET INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THIS HAPPENED AFTER I HAD A 1HRS DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE ACCIDENT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE ON THE ROAD. SINCE THIS HAPPENED, I DID MY RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE BAD PART IS THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. I SINCE THEN HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC AND READ THE CODES P0700 AND P0705 THAT IS FOR THAT PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638284

103,000 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND STARTED TO JERK. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10638242

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.