IllustrationI BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW WITH JUST 15 MILES ON IT AND HAD IT FOR 2 WEEKS AND THEN IT STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS WITH STARTING. *JB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Forenza years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
540–25K
4925–50K
5950–75K
4375–100K
31100–150K
4150K+
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 And Engine Cooling complaints
27 reportsI BOUGHT A NEW 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA FROM A DEALER ON 23 MAY 2006. AFTER ONE WEEK WITH THE CAR, I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS IN THAT IT DOES NOT START AFTER IT SITS FOR A WHILE. I CALLED THE SALESMAN ON 2 JUN 06 AND TOLD HIM THAT FOR THE THIRD TIME THAT WEEK, IT DIDN'T START. HE DIDN'T INFORM ME OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND …
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I BOUGHT A NEW 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA FROM A DEALER ON 23 MAY 2006. AFTER ONE WEEK WITH THE CAR, I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS IN THAT IT DOES NOT START AFTER IT SITS FOR A WHILE. I CALLED THE SALESMAN ON 2 JUN 06 AND TOLD HIM THAT FOR THE THIRD TIME THAT WEEK, IT DIDN'T START. HE DIDN'T INFORM ME OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND JUST STATED IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AND TO HAVE IT TOWED IN. I WENT BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND IT FINALLY STARTED BUT I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM STARTING IT EVERY DAY SINCE. TODAY I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH "COLD STARTS" ON THIS VEHICLE AND THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR IT AT THE PRESENT TIME, AND I'LL GET A RECALL MESSAGE IN THE FUTURE WHEN SUZUKI FIGURES OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED BY THE DEALER/SALESMAN BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS NEW VEHICLE AND WHEN I ORIGINALLY CALLED THEM ON 2 JUN 06 WITH A COMPLAINT, THEY SHOULD HAVE REVEALED THE PROBLEM TO ME AT THIS TIME. I FEEL THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND I HAVE NO RECOURSE. *JB
WITHIN THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF PURCHASE,STARTED TO HAVE TROUBLE STARTING THE CAR IN THE MORNINGS. TOOK THE THING BACK. THEY HAVE HAD THE THING ALMOST TWO WEEKS NOW. THEY CANNOT TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. ALL THEY HAVE SAID TO ME IS " YOU HAVE A RENTAL" . *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE FAILED. WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER THERE WAS AN EXHAUST SMELL. THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED, NO INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE FAILED. WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER THERE WAS AN EXHAUST SMELL. THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED, NO INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
CAR WILL NOT START AFTER SITTING FOR AWHILE THEY CHANGED THE GAS PUMP BUT THE SAME PROBLEM STILL EXISTS TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN THE MORNING WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING PRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM BUT BELIEVED IT MAY HAVE BEEN A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT WAS AGGRAVATED BY THE CLIMATE UPDATED 6/16/2006 - THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR BACK ND…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN THE MORNING WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING PRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM BUT BELIEVED IT MAY HAVE BEEN A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT WAS AGGRAVATED BY THE CLIMATE UPDATED 6/16/2006 - THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR BACK ND GAVE THE CONSUMER FULL CREDIT TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NM
5 WEEKS INTO THE PURCHASE OF MY 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA IT MADE A LOUD NOISE SIMILAR TO A BAD EXHAUST. THEN IT STARTED TO STALL WHILE I WAS STOPPED. IT WOULD STALL DURING THE FIRST 10-15 MINUTES OF DRIVING THEN WOULD BE FINE. ON THE THIRD TIME IN SERVICE THEY DECIDED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE, FOR 2 WEEKS. SO FAR THE STALLING HAS NOT OCCU…
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5 WEEKS INTO THE PURCHASE OF MY 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA IT MADE A LOUD NOISE SIMILAR TO A BAD EXHAUST. THEN IT STARTED TO STALL WHILE I WAS STOPPED. IT WOULD STALL DURING THE FIRST 10-15 MINUTES OF DRIVING THEN WOULD BE FINE. ON THE THIRD TIME IN SERVICE THEY DECIDED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE, FOR 2 WEEKS. SO FAR THE STALLING HAS NOT OCCURRED BUT THE NOISE HAS COME BACK. *JB
Official recalls
414V262000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.