NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
57 reportsClear category filter70,000 miles · Sep 11, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE HAD SMELL COMING FROM THE DASH LIKE MELTING WIRES. DASH HIGH/LOW BEAMS STOPPED WORKING, LUCKILY DAYTIME RUNNING WORKED BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO SEE WELL AT NIGHT PERIODICALLY THEY WILL COME BACK ON FOR A FEW THEN CUT BACK OFF. MOST OFTEN THEY DO NOT COME BACK ON AT ALL AND DOESN'T STAY ON LONG..AFR…
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DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE HAD SMELL COMING FROM THE DASH LIKE MELTING WIRES. DASH HIGH/LOW BEAMS STOPPED WORKING, LUCKILY DAYTIME RUNNING WORKED BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO SEE WELL AT NIGHT PERIODICALLY THEY WILL COME BACK ON FOR A FEW THEN CUT BACK OFF. MOST OFTEN THEY DO NOT COME BACK ON AT ALL AND DOESN'T STAY ON LONG..AFRAID OF FIRE OR IF WORKING GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WRECKING WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR LAST YEAR FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS FIXED UNDER THE RECALL OR 07 IN JAN 2008, CALLED DEALERSHIPS AND SUZUKI AND THEY ARE TELLING ME EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A NEW RECALL OUT FOR THE SAME THING.. FOR 2004-2006 FORENZAS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN THE DATES OF SEPT 2003 AND MARCH 2006 THAT MY CAR THAT WAS MANUFACTURED 11/2005 DOESN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL? JUST NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO SINCE ITS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. OR IF MAYBE SOME INFORMATION WAS CROSSED AND HOPEFULLY OURS CAN BE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475060
31,660 miles · Aug 13, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train
ACCELERATING UP A HILL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SOLID (NOT FLASHING) AND THE "D" ON THE DASH DISPLAY WHERE "DRIVE" IS SIGNALED WAS FLASHING AN INCOMPREHENSIBLE ICON THAT WAS NOT FOUND IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL (LOOKED LIKE A SQUARE WITH TWO SLASHES THROUGH IT.) THE NEW TRANSMISSION SIGNAL WOULD FLASH FOR 10-15 MILES OR SO ST…
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ACCELERATING UP A HILL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SOLID (NOT FLASHING) AND THE "D" ON THE DASH DISPLAY WHERE "DRIVE" IS SIGNALED WAS FLASHING AN INCOMPREHENSIBLE ICON THAT WAS NOT FOUND IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL (LOOKED LIKE A SQUARE WITH TWO SLASHES THROUGH IT.) THE NEW TRANSMISSION SIGNAL WOULD FLASH FOR 10-15 MILES OR SO STARTING DURING ACCELERATION. THE PART THAT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED WAS A "TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH." *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470482
98,000 miles · Jul 21, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train
I HAVE A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. OFTEN WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR, IT "CLUNKS." THEN WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED, THE CAR SHIFTS ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. I CAN DRIVE IF I PUT IT INTO 1ST, 2ND, OR 3RD GEAR AFTER IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OR LATER IN THE DAY I CAN GET THE CAR INTO DRIVE…
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I HAVE A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. OFTEN WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR, IT "CLUNKS." THEN WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED, THE CAR SHIFTS ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. I CAN DRIVE IF I PUT IT INTO 1ST, 2ND, OR 3RD GEAR AFTER IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OR LATER IN THE DAY I CAN GET THE CAR INTO DRIVE AGAIN, BUT THE PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF DAILY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466895
79,183 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
TODAY MY WIFE NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY INDICATOR AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE CLUSTER PANEL THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, AS WELL AS THE SPEEDO NEEDLE BOUNCING AROUND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND DROVE IT TO AUTO ZONE TO SEE IF THERE WERE NOT ANY OBD II CODES STORED. I TOO NOTICED THE B…
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TODAY MY WIFE NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY INDICATOR AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE CLUSTER PANEL THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, AS WELL AS THE SPEEDO NEEDLE BOUNCING AROUND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND DROVE IT TO AUTO ZONE TO SEE IF THERE WERE NOT ANY OBD II CODES STORED. I TOO NOTICED THE BRAKE/BATTERY LIGHTS, AS WELL AS THE SPEEDO NEEDLE WOULD JUMP WHEN I USED MY TURN SIGNALS. I GOT IT TO AUTO ZONE AND THERE WERE NO CODES STORED. IT WAS AFTER THE CODE SCANNER WAS HOOKED UP MY REAL PROBLEMS BEGAN. WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR (EITHER D OR R) IT WOULD SLAM INTO GEAR, THE SPEEDO DIDN'T WORK AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF, THE CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION. I HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE, AND IT TURNED OUT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECTOR. WELL, THAT WAS REPLACED NO LESS THAN 10K MILES AGO. PLEASE, SOMEONE PLACE THIS CAR ON THE LEMON LIST SO I CAN RECOUP MY LOSSES. WHEN THERE IS NEXT TO NO ACCELERATION, IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR CAN NOT MOVE FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID GETTING CLIPPED (OR WORSE). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463007
70,000 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Electrical System
TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454536
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2011
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR!! IT STARTED OUT AS I WAS SHIFT INTO OR PAST REVERSE. NOW IT SHIFTS ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING, WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, WHILE AT STOPLIGHTS/STOP SIGNS. YOU WILL BE DRIVING AND IT WILL JERK AND PUT ITSELF INTO PARK BUT STILL GO. IT'S LIKE DRIVING A STICK SHIFT WITHOUT LETTING OFF T…
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I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR!! IT STARTED OUT AS I WAS SHIFT INTO OR PAST REVERSE. NOW IT SHIFTS ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING, WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, WHILE AT STOPLIGHTS/STOP SIGNS. YOU WILL BE DRIVING AND IT WILL JERK AND PUT ITSELF INTO PARK BUT STILL GO. IT'S LIKE DRIVING A STICK SHIFT WITHOUT LETTING OFF THE CLUTCH. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE TO DRIVE. YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO ACT UP. I HAVE MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR AND WAIT UNTIL IT'S ABSOLUTELY CLEAR TO PULL OUT DUE TO THIS. TONIGHT (10/13/11) I WAS DRIVING, HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THAT I'VE DRIVEN OVER A MILLION TIMES AND SIMULTANEOUSLY, MY BRAKE LIGHT AND MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE TO MY DESTINATION WITH MY LIGHTS DIMMING SLOWLY AND PULLED INTO THE SPOT AND THE CAR DIED. I SPOKE TO THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THE SERVICE TECH IS HE GETS ALOT OF ISSUES WITH THIS SENSOR AND HE SAYS "THE NUMBERS ARE HIGHER THAN THEY SHOULD BE FOR THIS CAR. " *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430153
29,169 miles · Oct 7, 2011
Electrical System
TWO YEARS AND 29K MILES AFTER I DROVE MY BRAND FORENZA OFF THE LOT I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE BEGINNING OF A ROAD TRIP WHEN MY SENSOR FIRST WENT OUT. I HAD TO TURN AROUND, TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AN GET IT REPLACE. NOW I AM AT ALMOST 90K RUNNING INTO THE SAME ISSUE AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE SENSOR AGAIN AT A COST OF ABOU $…
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TWO YEARS AND 29K MILES AFTER I DROVE MY BRAND FORENZA OFF THE LOT I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE BEGINNING OF A ROAD TRIP WHEN MY SENSOR FIRST WENT OUT. I HAD TO TURN AROUND, TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AN GET IT REPLACE. NOW I AM AT ALMOST 90K RUNNING INTO THE SAME ISSUE AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE SENSOR AGAIN AT A COST OF ABOU $250. QUITE A FEW HIGHWAY MILES, NOT ALOT OF CITY MILES NOT CONFIDENT IN MAKING SUZUKI A NEW CAR CHOICE AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10429117
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10427042
38,000 miles · Jun 10, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherVehicle Speed Control
MY 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA LOOSES ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING; SIMPLY PUT THE GAS PEDAL DOESN'T WORK. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED, AND WITH OUT CRUISE CONTROL, I WILL LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR AND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED IN AGAIN I HAVE NO ACCELERATION. THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES ON THE HIGH…
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MY 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA LOOSES ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING; SIMPLY PUT THE GAS PEDAL DOESN'T WORK. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED, AND WITH OUT CRUISE CONTROL, I WILL LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR AND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED IN AGAIN I HAVE NO ACCELERATION. THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY; EVEN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS A VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING BECAUSE I FEEL I MIGHT BE RUN OVER BY A VEHICLE BEHIND ME IF I LOOSE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS A TENDENCY TO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE STOPPED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION OF THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY OR LUNGE FORWARD INTO A CAR AT A STOP LIGHT. I HAVE CONTACTED SUZUKI AND THEY TELL ME IT IS NOT A MALFUNCTION AND WILL NOT HONOR THEIR 7YR; 70,000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE MECHANIC TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM; AND WE HAVE WORKED OUR WAY THROUGH EVERYTHING DOWN TO THE VERY EXPENSIVE THROTTLE BODY. I WENT TO A DEALERSHIP AND ALL THEY DID WAS CLEAR THE CODES; 10 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE THIS FIXED BEFORE THERE IS A SEVER ACCIDENT BECAUSE I'M DRIVING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405885
47,000 miles · May 31, 2011
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA, AND IT ALSO IS HAVING ALL THE PROBLEMS EVERYONE ELSE IS TALKING ABOUT. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 47,000 MILES. IT STARTED WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES AND THEN MY CAR WOULD BARELY GO WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. I STILL CAN PUSH THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND IT WILL GO VE…
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I HAVE A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA, AND IT ALSO IS HAVING ALL THE PROBLEMS EVERYONE ELSE IS TALKING ABOUT. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 47,000 MILES. IT STARTED WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES AND THEN MY CAR WOULD BARELY GO WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. I STILL CAN PUSH THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND IT WILL GO VERY SLOW AND MY CAR ENGINE SOUNDS SOOOO LOUD. RECENTLY I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND THEN IT JERKED BACK AND WHEN I PUT IT K INTO DRIVE IT JERKED FORWARD AND DIDN'T WANT TO GO EVEN THO IT WAS IN DRIVE, THEN ON THE ODOMETER IT HAD A BOX WITH A LINE GOING THROUGH IT AND A LINE GOING ACROSS AS IT WAS FLASHING. SOMETIME I WILL NOT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR AND THEN I WILL DO IT FOR DAYS. HOW DO YOU FIX THIS? THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED!! I HAVE 2 TODDLERS THAT DRIVE IN MY CAR WITH ME EVERYDAY AND THIS IS VERY UNACCEPTABLE!! WILL BE GETTING A NEW CAR AS SOON AS I CAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403859
Official recalls
4May 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.
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.
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.
Jul 24, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT BELT TONGUE WILL NOT LATCH INTO THE BUCKLE AND, IN RARE CASES, EVEN THE LOCKED TONGUE WILL POP OUT BY LOW STRETCHING FORCE. IF THE BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH COMPLETELY, THE BUCKLE COULD RELEASE WITHOUT PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE BUCKLE MALFUNCTIONS, WHICH COULD PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THE SEAT BELT OR COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO FAIL TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED, CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES WITH THE IMPROVED PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2007. 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 ↗