← New search

2006 Suzuki Forenza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 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

240 reports with mileage · 40 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 116 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports8 fire reports20 injury reports

Engine complaints

15 reports
Clear category filter
99,120 miles · Oct 15, 2013
EnginePower Train

I WILL BE DRIVING AND THE SHIFT GEAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR. OR I CAN START THE CAR AND THE GEAR WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE AND IT WILL NOT GO FORWARD. I HAVE CALLED ABOUT GETTING THIS FIXED AND I WAS TOLD THAT ALOT OF COMPLAINTS HAS BEEN MADE FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF CAR, AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS...THIS …

Read full complaint

I WILL BE DRIVING AND THE SHIFT GEAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR. OR I CAN START THE CAR AND THE GEAR WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE AND IT WILL NOT GO FORWARD. I HAVE CALLED ABOUT GETTING THIS FIXED AND I WAS TOLD THAT ALOT OF COMPLAINTS HAS BEEN MADE FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF CAR, AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS...THIS WILL CAUSE A AUTOMATIC ACCIDENT IF NOT DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547947

101,000 miles · Jul 29, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I PURCHASED A USED 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA 2006IN OCT 2012. THE FIRST BREAK DOWN WAS A WEEK AFTER PURCHASE THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE WATER PUMP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT WAS REPLACE IN DECEMBER 2012 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THERE WAS A SHAKE IN THE ENGINE IT BEGIN TO JERK AND DID NOT WANT TO ACCEL…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A USED 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA 2006IN OCT 2012. THE FIRST BREAK DOWN WAS A WEEK AFTER PURCHASE THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE WATER PUMP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT WAS REPLACE IN DECEMBER 2012 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THERE WAS A SHAKE IN THE ENGINE IT BEGIN TO JERK AND DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO AAMCO WHERE THEY SAID IT HAD TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION SWITCH. THEY FIXED IT AFTER TWO WEEKS I WAS COMING OFF THE FREEWAY AGAIN AT THE STOP LIGHT MY CAR SHOOK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE SAME CODE THAT HAD COME UP THE FIRST TIME. THEY FIXED IT AGAIN. THEN A MONTH LATER THE SAME THING HAPPEN I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS THE SAME THING WITH A TRANSMISSION SWITCH. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS GOING OFF AND ON EVERYTIME I TAKE IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT THE SAME CODE POPS UP WITH THE TRANSMISSION SWITCH. NOW THERE SAYING IT HAS TO BE ELECTRICAL AND IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532460

68,391 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Engine

JANUARY 2011 AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR LOST ALL SPEED AND THEN JUST STOPPED. I COULD NOT TURN IT OVER AND ONCE I GOT IT TO THE SHOP THEY SAID THE PISTON'S WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE LATER IN THE MONTH. JUNE 2013 THE SAME THING HAPPENED. PISTON THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPLETELY BLOWN UP AND NOW…

Read full complaint

JANUARY 2011 AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR LOST ALL SPEED AND THEN JUST STOPPED. I COULD NOT TURN IT OVER AND ONCE I GOT IT TO THE SHOP THEY SAID THE PISTON'S WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE LATER IN THE MONTH. JUNE 2013 THE SAME THING HAPPENED. PISTON THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPLETELY BLOWN UP AND NOW THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE I AM TWO MONTHS PAST MY WARRANTY. FOR SOME REASON I THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE A WARRANTY ON THE REPLACED ENGINE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2006 AND FOLLOWED ALL THE WARRANTY REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522222

97,000 miles · Mar 13, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, WE DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM RUNS RAMPANT ON 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA MODELS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANAGER OVER PARTS AND SERVICE CHANGED THE SENSOR FOR US. HOWEVER, THE CONNECTOR IT PLUGS INTO WAS BROKEN…

Read full complaint

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, WE DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM RUNS RAMPANT ON 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA MODELS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANAGER OVER PARTS AND SERVICE CHANGED THE SENSOR FOR US. HOWEVER, THE CONNECTOR IT PLUGS INTO WAS BROKEN AND HE WOULD LOOK FOR A USED ONE, AS BUYING A NEW ONE MEANS BUYING A WHOLE NEW ENGINE HARNESS ($800-$900). ANYTIME I LOOK UP MY MAKE AND MODEL THIS IS ALL ANYONE HAS TO SAY AND SUZUKI WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT EXCEPT CHARGE MORE MONEY TO KEEP TRYING TO FIX IT.THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL OF THESE VEHICLES UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502612

71,086 miles · Oct 1, 2012
EnginePower Train

FOR APPROXIMATELY YEAR PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT DATE INDICATED ON THIS FORM, 06/05/2012, MY VEHICLE HAS MALFUNCTIONED SPORADICALLY IN THE WAY(S) I AM ABOUT TO DESCRIBE. SINCE 6/05/2012, THE MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURRED AND WORSENED EVERY TIME I DRIVE. UPON THE INITIAL GEAR SHIFT FROM "PARK" TO "REVERSE," MY SUZUKI FORENZA JERKS. AFT…

Read full complaint

FOR APPROXIMATELY YEAR PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT DATE INDICATED ON THIS FORM, 06/05/2012, MY VEHICLE HAS MALFUNCTIONED SPORADICALLY IN THE WAY(S) I AM ABOUT TO DESCRIBE. SINCE 6/05/2012, THE MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURRED AND WORSENED EVERY TIME I DRIVE. UPON THE INITIAL GEAR SHIFT FROM "PARK" TO "REVERSE," MY SUZUKI FORENZA JERKS. AFTER THE SHIFT, THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS A "P," DESPITE BEING IN REVERSE. WHEN I SHIFT TO DRIVE, I FEEL A JERK, AND MY DASHBOARD DISPLAYS A MULTITUDE OF THINGS; AT TIMES IT REMAINS A "P," AND AT OTHER TIMES IT SHOWS "N" FOR NEUTRAL, "R" FOR REVERSE, A SIMPLE "D," OR A FLASHING "D" WITH A DIAGONAL LINE THROUGH IT. AS I PRESS THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, MY RPM'S INCREASE, THE ENGINE REVS, BUT MY CAR DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD FOR A PERIOD OF ANYWHERE FROM 10 SECONDS TO A FULL MINUTE. THE VEHICLE THEN JERKS AND SHOOTS FORWARD VERY QUICKLY, WHICH IS GREATLY HAZARDOUS AND ALARMING. ONCE MY VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON THE ROAD, A SEPARATE BUT SEEMINGLY RELATED INCIDENT OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS- I CAN BE ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET OR THE INTERSTATE. ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT FEELS AS IF MY CAR IS SHIFTING ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL AND IS STILL MOVING DUE TO MOMENTUM. ALTHOUGH I IMMEDIATELY REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL, MY RPM'S SHOOT UP INTO THE 6/7 RANGE, THE ENGINE SOUNDS AS IF IT IS GOING TO EXPLODE, AND THE VEHICLE JERKS. AT THIS TIME, THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SHIFTS, ALTERNATING FROM THE FLASHING "D," TO, "P," AND SO ON. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER SUZUKI FORENZA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME MALFUNCTION, DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR. IT MAY BE A RELATIVELY EASY AND INEXPENSIVE FIX, BUT THAT DOESN'T LESSON THE SEVERITY. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 4 OTHER SAFETY RECALLS THUS FAR, AND I AM ENRAGED THAT IT IS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED ENTIRELY DUE TO THIS WIDESPREAD AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478168

Official recalls

4

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.

07V315000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.