NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
11 reportsClear category filter80,000 miles · Sep 6, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other
WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR IN EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE, THERE IS A LOUD THUNK AND JUMPING FEELING. THERE WILL ALSO BE AN 'X' ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEXT TO THE 'D' FOR DRIVE ON THE SHIFT SELECTOR. I HAVE RESEARCHED WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE AND IT IS THE THE RANGE TRANSMISSION SENSOR, IT APPEARS AFTER RESEARCHING THIS IS A …
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WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR IN EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE, THERE IS A LOUD THUNK AND JUMPING FEELING. THERE WILL ALSO BE AN 'X' ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEXT TO THE 'D' FOR DRIVE ON THE SHIFT SELECTOR. I HAVE RESEARCHED WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE AND IT IS THE THE RANGE TRANSMISSION SENSOR, IT APPEARS AFTER RESEARCHING THIS IS A VERY CHRONIC PROBLEM IN THE SUZUKI FORENZA.
NHTSA ODI #10903791
39,000 miles · Aug 26, 2015
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other
AT SPEED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY FELL OUT OF GEAR, AND LOST SPEED RAPIDLY. DASH TRANSMISSION DISPLAY SHOWED SCRAMBLED GEAR IN PLACE OF D. CAR CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE SIMILAR INCIDENTS AND DOES NOT PROPERLY CHANGE GEARS; OCCASIONALLY DISPLAYS SCRAMBLED LETTER IN PLACE OF APPROPRIATE DISPLAY (R,N,D, 3, ETC.)
NHTSA ODI #10759547
112,000 miles · Aug 28, 2013
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING MY SUZUKI FORENZA WHEN IT WENT FROM "DRIVE" TO BASICALLY NEUTRAL. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND BECAUSE MY CAR STALLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE AND EACH TIME I'VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH NOT TO BE HIT. THIS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAPPENS MID DRIVE. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10537783
76,074 miles · Oct 20, 2011
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
I PURCHASED A USED 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA IN CALIFORNIA. BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS AFTER MY PURCHASE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS VISITING FAMILY IN LAS VEGAS WHO HELPED ME FIND A NEAR BY DEALER. AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC THEY ADVISED ME THE VALVE COVER WAS SEAL…
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I PURCHASED A USED 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA IN CALIFORNIA. BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS AFTER MY PURCHASE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS VISITING FAMILY IN LAS VEGAS WHO HELPED ME FIND A NEAR BY DEALER. AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC THEY ADVISED ME THE VALVE COVER WAS SEALED IMPROPERLY. NOW I JUST GOT THE CAR 2WKS PRIOR SO I CALLED THE USED DEALER I BROUGHT HE CAR FROM AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. NOT TO MENTION THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH DOOR HANDLE COMPLAINTS. THE DEALER IN LAS VEGAS FIXED THE LEAKING VALVE COVER AND REPLACED ONE SPARK PLUG AS OIL LEAKED INTO IT. THIS WAS FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY. A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL AND THEN ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON SO I TOOK IT TO A SUZUKI DEALER IN VAN NUYS, CA. THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED ME AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC IT WAS THE BATTERY. I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND PAID A DIAGNOSTIC FEE A TOTAL OF $275.00. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING ALMOST CAUSING A VEHICLE TO HIT ME. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER IN VAN NUYS WHO ADVISED ME THE THROTTLE WAS THE ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE AND THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING. THEY NOW CLAIM IT'S THE MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. I CALLED AMERICAN SUZUKI TO SEE IF THE "ENGINE WIRING HARNESS" IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE POWER TRAIN DOES NOT COVER THE WIRING HARNESS. THE DEALER IS ASKING FOR $1600.00 TO REPLACE IT OR $489.00 TO REPAIR THE WIRES. I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR 7MOS. THE DEALER ALSO GAVE A LENGTHY LIST OF RECOMMENDED SERVICES TOTALING $2541.00. I DECLINED ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICES AND CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE A WORKING VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE PRE-EXISTING AND THE DEALER I BROUGHT IT FROM KNEW ABOUT IT. I PLAN TO RETURN THIS CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10433192
101,000 miles · Aug 15, 2011
Unknown Or Other
WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BUT CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE GEAR LIGHT ON THE CONTROL PANEL STARTED FLASHING BUT THE CAR STILL DIDN'T MOVE. TURN THE CAR OFF - STARTED IT UP AGAIN, PANEL LIGHTS STILL FLASHED, CAR WENT INTO GEAR BUT WHEN THE GAS WAS PRESSED, BAR…
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WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BUT CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE GEAR LIGHT ON THE CONTROL PANEL STARTED FLASHING BUT THE CAR STILL DIDN'T MOVE. TURN THE CAR OFF - STARTED IT UP AGAIN, PANEL LIGHTS STILL FLASHED, CAR WENT INTO GEAR BUT WHEN THE GAS WAS PRESSED, BARELY MOVED - WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES AND I'M AFRAID I MIGHT GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE. SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. CAN'T AFFORD A COSTLY REPAIR BUT CAR IS THE MAIN TRANSPORTATION FOR MY FAMILY. PLEASE HELP!!!
NHTSA ODI #10420260
86,253 miles · Jul 15, 2011
Unknown Or Other
I HAVE AN 06 SUZUKI FORENZA WITH ABOUT 86,00 MILKES. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. SEEMS TO BE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. THEY RESET SOMETHING; LIGHT WENT OUT. NEXT MORNING ON WAY TO WORK, IT CAME ON AGAIN. NOW HAVE CALL IN TO MECHANIC TO SEE HOW TO GET THIS FIXED. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT …
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I HAVE AN 06 SUZUKI FORENZA WITH ABOUT 86,00 MILKES. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. SEEMS TO BE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. THEY RESET SOMETHING; LIGHT WENT OUT. NEXT MORNING ON WAY TO WORK, IT CAME ON AGAIN. NOW HAVE CALL IN TO MECHANIC TO SEE HOW TO GET THIS FIXED. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT SINCE I DON'T KNOW IF DRIVING WOULD CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE.
NHTSA ODI #10412377
1,836 miles · Jan 11, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteeringCrashInjury
STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION - LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND DROVE OFF THE ROAD MANUFACTURER AND CAR DEALERSHIP DID NOT HELP MULTIPLE OTHER DEFECTS, INCLUDING ENGINE STALLING/GEARS "STICKING" - PLEASE REFER DETAILS IN LETTER TO BE SENT TO YOUR OFFICE BY MAIL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178450
9,805 miles · Jan 11, 2007
Electrical SystemSuspensionUnknown Or Other
1. 4-26-2006, CAR REPAIRED, FOUND THAT THE PURGE VALVE HAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE. R&R PURGE VALVE TO CORRECT. 2. 10-24-2006, CAR REPAIRED, FOUND CODE PO705 TRANS RANGE SWITCH, OPEN INTERMITTENT. R&R TRANS RANGE SWITCH TO CORRECT. 3. 12-21-2006, CAR REPAIRED, POWER STEERING LIGHT ON. FOUND NEEDLE ANGLE SENSOR PART -3721-085Z00. …
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1. 4-26-2006, CAR REPAIRED, FOUND THAT THE PURGE VALVE HAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE. R&R PURGE VALVE TO CORRECT. 2. 10-24-2006, CAR REPAIRED, FOUND CODE PO705 TRANS RANGE SWITCH, OPEN INTERMITTENT. R&R TRANS RANGE SWITCH TO CORRECT. 3. 12-21-2006, CAR REPAIRED, POWER STEERING LIGHT ON. FOUND NEEDLE ANGLE SENSOR PART -3721-085Z00. SUZUKI ORDERED PART AND STILL WAITING FOR THE PART TO BE PLACED IN CAR. 4. 12-29-2006, CAR REPAIRED. COMPLAINT WAS ROARING NOISE AND RMP NEEDLE GOING CLOSE TO 5 AND HEAT INDEX EXACTLY IN THE MIDDLE. THE ONLY REPAIR DONE WAS R&R RIGHT WHEEL BEARING IN FRONT AND REPLACED HUB. WHEN ON 1-10-2007 THEY CALLED TO PICK UP CAR ALL REPAIRS DONE, I WENT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR IS SOUNDING WORSE AND IT COULD POSSIBLY BE A COUPLING BY THE TIRE AND THAT I NEED A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND THAT'S WHY I AM HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG OR FOUND WITH THE RMP NEEDLE GOING CLOSE TO 5. I DROVE THE CAR OUT AND TALKED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC PLUS THE OWNER OF SPEEDEE'S AND THEY ALL LAUGHED, AND SAID THAT'S NOT RIGHT AND I WOULD NOT GO BACK. IN DRIVING THE CAR NOW IT REALLY SOUNDS BAD AND EMBARRASSING, AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT GO PAST THE SPEED I'M ON WHILE DRIVING UNLESS I RELEASE THE BRAKES AND PRESS THE GAS AGAIN. THE MECHANIC STATES NOT SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178405
200 miles · Oct 9, 2006
Unknown Or Other
BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW WITH 16 MILES ON IT IN JUN. 2 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR 53 DAYS AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10170255
11,000 miles · Jul 4, 2006
Unknown Or Other
I BOUGHT A SUZUKI FORENZA 2006 IN 10/2005 AND SINCE FEBRUARY 2006 I'VE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, 5 OUT OF 7 DAYS IT DOES NOT WANT TO START, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME THING THREE TIMES AND I CALL EVERY WEEK FOR THE SAME REASON, NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH T…
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I BOUGHT A SUZUKI FORENZA 2006 IN 10/2005 AND SINCE FEBRUARY 2006 I'VE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, 5 OUT OF 7 DAYS IT DOES NOT WANT TO START, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME THING THREE TIMES AND I CALL EVERY WEEK FOR THE SAME REASON, NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THE FORENZAS BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. WE BOUGHT NEW SO WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, AND WE ARE PAYING FOR THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP US. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10161375
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 ↗