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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
99,000 miles · Aug 7, 2012
Exterior Lighting

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 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.

NHTSA ODI #10469542

66,021 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train

MY CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND HAS A LITTLE OVER 65,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSIONS RANGE SENSOR CIRCUIT HAS STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443301

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10442589

70,000 miles · Jan 5, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10442528

50,000 miles · Nov 30, 2011
Suspension

CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD CLACKING SOUND COMING FOR THE FRONT END. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GARAGE FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE STRUT MOUNTS AND IT WOULD BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN. AFTER THE DEALER LOOKED AT THE CAR I WAS TOLD IT WAS A CV JOINT…

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CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD CLACKING SOUND COMING FOR THE FRONT END. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GARAGE FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE STRUT MOUNTS AND IT WOULD BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN. AFTER THE DEALER LOOKED AT THE CAR I WAS TOLD IT WAS A CV JOINT NOT THE STRUTS. THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THIS YEAR WHILE TRYING TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER GARAGE THAT MY STRUT MOUNTS WERE BAD AND THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437880

59,000 miles · Nov 20, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA UPHILL GOING 35 MPH WHEN IT SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT HAD SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT, I EXPERIENCED ROUGH JOLTING WHEN MY CAR (WHICH IS AN AUTOMATIC) WAS DOWNSHIFTI…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA UPHILL GOING 35 MPH WHEN IT SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT HAD SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT, I EXPERIENCED ROUGH JOLTING WHEN MY CAR (WHICH IS AN AUTOMATIC) WAS DOWNSHIFTING FROM THIRD TO SECOND GEAR. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP ACCELERATING. I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436486

89,000 miles · Nov 16, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ABRUPTLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED WHIPLASH FROM THE JERKING MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE ENGINE BEARINGS HAD SEIZED AND THE IDLE PULLEY FAILED. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ABRUPTLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED WHIPLASH FROM THE JERKING MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE ENGINE BEARINGS HAD SEIZED AND THE IDLE PULLEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #10436098

68,000 miles · Nov 16, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT THE START OF THE YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/18/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IN JANUARY 2011, THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED RESULTING IN HAVING TO REPLACE IT WITH A BRAND NEW ONE. IN JUNE 2011, THE VEHICLE JERKED EXTREMELY HARD WHILE DRIVING AND THEN WOULDN'T ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. IN NOVEMBER 2011, THE VEHICLE JERKED HARD AGAIN AND LEFT THE CONSUMER STRANDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AGAIN, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. FOUR DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE CEASED TO OPERATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AGAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. UPDATED 02/01/12

NHTSA ODI #10436041

55,000 miles · Nov 7, 2011
Exterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10434753

49,000 miles · Oct 9, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10429260

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.