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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.

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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

Power Train complaints

116 reports
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30,000 miles · Jun 11, 2012
Power TrainSeat BeltsVehicle Speed Control

A MALFUNCTION OCCURS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO SHIFT GEARS FROM PARK TO ANY OTHER. 1. IT MAKES A LOUD, DEEP SOUND, SIMILAR TO "THUNK-THUNK" AND IF I DON'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE HARD ENOUGH, THE CAR LURCHES. 2. THE DASHBOARD SIGNAL FOR PDRN ETC RANDOMLY CHANGES TO A WEIRD SYMBOL THAT IS NOT ANY LETTER IN THE AMERICAN ALPHABET…

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A MALFUNCTION OCCURS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO SHIFT GEARS FROM PARK TO ANY OTHER. 1. IT MAKES A LOUD, DEEP SOUND, SIMILAR TO "THUNK-THUNK" AND IF I DON'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE HARD ENOUGH, THE CAR LURCHES. 2. THE DASHBOARD SIGNAL FOR PDRN ETC RANDOMLY CHANGES TO A WEIRD SYMBOL THAT IS NOT ANY LETTER IN THE AMERICAN ALPHABET. 3. IT MAKES A REVVING SOUND WHICH SHOULD INDICATE A HIGHER VELOCITY WHEN IN FACT IT IS AT A LOWER VELOCITY. 4. IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. WHEN ENTERING A HIGH FREQUENCY ROAD OR HIGHWAY, I HAVE TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL TO GO NORMAL SPEED THEN MAINTAIN IT. 5. IT SHIFTS OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL WHILE I AM DRIVING AND INDEPENDENTLY OF MY ACTIVITY, THANKFULLY APPROXIMATELY ONLY ABOUT ONCE EVERY MONTH. 6. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. 7. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION BUT WAS CALLED A RANGE SOMETHING OR OTHER. 8. I NOTICE THESE PROBLEMS MORE IN STOP-AND-GO CITY TRAFFIC THAN ON LONG UNINTERRUPTED DISTANCES. 9. I CONSIDER THESE RANDOM CAR BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE. 10. TO ANY DRIVER NEW TO HANDLING/DRIVING MY CAR, I WOULD HAVE TO EXPLAIN ITS QUIRKS FOR THEM TO DRIVE AND NOT HAVE A TRAGIC VEHICULAR ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE IMPROPER RESPONSE OF MY CAR TO NORMAL USE. 11. THE WARRANTY RAN OUT LONG AGO. IT WAS ONLY FOR THREE YEARS. THE PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURRING AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, OF COURSE. 12. IT WILL COST ME ABOUT $200 TO GET THE RANGE WHATCHAMACALLIT FIXED, $200 OF WHICH I BELIEVE SUZUKI SHOULD PAY. UNRELATED PROBLEM, SOMETIMES THE SEATBELT BUCKLE UNCLICKS ITSELF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461242

62,000 miles · May 24, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND HINDER THE CONTACT FROM SHIFTING INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND HINDER THE CONTACT FROM SHIFTING INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10459572

85,865 miles · May 3, 2012
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT BEING HIT IN THE BACK, THIS HAD NOW HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW. ALSO WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL GEAR, ON THE DASH WHERE IT SHOWS THE GEARS THE D SIGN IS ALL SCRAMBLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457380

55,000 miles · Apr 23, 2012
Power Train

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP GEARS, THE VEHICLE JUMPS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR THAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAPPENS MID DRIVE. APPARENTLY ITS MY TRANSMISSION RANGE S…

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ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP GEARS, THE VEHICLE JUMPS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR THAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAPPENS MID DRIVE. APPARENTLY ITS MY TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE IS VERY WIDE SPREAD. I FEEL THAT NO MATTER HOW WELL THE MAINTENANCE ON THIS VEHICLE IS KEPT UP, THIS ISSUE IS DESTINED TO BECOME A PROBLEM AND A SAFETY ISSUE. BECAUSE THIS SENSOR GLITCH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY SWITCH GEARS AND SLOWDOWN WITHOUT WARNING OR BRAKE LIGHTS, THERE IS A HIGH POSSIBILITY FOR ACCIDENTS. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS TO BE FIXED. SUZUKI MOTOR CORP IS GROSSLY NEGLIGENT FOR NAOT MAKING A VOLUNTARY RECALL ON THIS INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE PART. IT IS THE DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF NTSB TO COMPELL THE MANUFACTURER TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE 2006 FORENZA VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456068

25,000 miles · Mar 16, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME PART WAS REPLACED TWO YEARS PRIOR TO OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10451932

80,000 miles · Feb 22, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY HARD SHIFT INTO REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP GEARS. THE FAILURES RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFEC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY HARD SHIFT INTO REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP GEARS. THE FAILURES RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10448961

50,000 miles · Jan 29, 2012
Power Train

TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR IS GOING OUT. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10445744

106,300 miles · Dec 30, 2011
Power Train

MY 06 FORENZA WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON THEN IT WOULD GET BETTER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF. THEN I STARTED GETTING THE PERIODIC CLUNK AND SCRAMBLED DISPLAY, USUALLY WHILE IN A PARKING LOT OR WHEN JUST STARTING A TRIP AND DRIVING SLOW. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO ADVANCE AUTO AND…

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MY 06 FORENZA WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON THEN IT WOULD GET BETTER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF. THEN I STARTED GETTING THE PERIODIC CLUNK AND SCRAMBLED DISPLAY, USUALLY WHILE IN A PARKING LOT OR WHEN JUST STARTING A TRIP AND DRIVING SLOW. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO ADVANCE AUTO AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR. THEY SENT ME TO THE DEALER WHO MADE ME TAKE THE CAR BACK HOME BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD TURNED BACK OFF AND THEY COULDN'T READ THE CODES. IT'S STILL NOT FIXED BECAUSE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON IT NEVER AT THE SHOP. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FIND THAT A LOT OF CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I THINK SUZUKI SHOULD DO A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S NOT A RANDOM PROBLEM BUT SEEMS TO BE A STANDARD PROBLEM. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441731

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2011
Power Train

BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON/OF FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE HAD THE CAR THE GEARS STARTED SLIPPING OR STAYING 3RD, 2ND OR R ALL THE TIME. TOOK IT IN TO TRY AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT OR CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FOR FLUIDS SINCE IT HAS A SEALED TRANSMISSION. FIRST THING THAT CAME UP WAS - I HAD NO WARRANTY, AND P…

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BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON/OF FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE HAD THE CAR THE GEARS STARTED SLIPPING OR STAYING 3RD, 2ND OR R ALL THE TIME. TOOK IT IN TO TRY AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT OR CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FOR FLUIDS SINCE IT HAS A SEALED TRANSMISSION. FIRST THING THAT CAME UP WAS - I HAD NO WARRANTY, AND PRICES FOR THEM TO CHECK TO SEE WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BEFORE THEY CAN DO ANYTHING. NOW THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AND THE KEY WILL NOT COME PUT OF THE IGNITION. VERY UNSAFE. WHAT CAN A BROKE UNEMPLOYED PERSON DO?. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436409

70,373 miles · Oct 31, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,373 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10433723

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.