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

What owners actually said

280 reports

93,000 miles · Aug 30, 2011

Power Train

I HAVE HAD MY TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR REPLACED, AND MY VEHICLE STILL LACKS POWER WHEN PRESSING ON ACCELERATOR. MY VEH JERKS WHEN DRIVING AND SLOWS DOWN. SUZUKI MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422670

44,000 miles · Aug 30, 2011

Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHI…

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NHTSA ODI #10422570

68,000 miles · Aug 29, 2011

Power Train

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I WAS DRIVING MY SUZUKI FORENZA LAST FRIDAY 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. APPARENTLY IT'S MY TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR WITHOUT GOING VERY SLOWLY AND BEING FEARFUL. IT WILL STILL DO IT EACH TIME I ACCELERATE SO I HAVE TO BE MINDFUL TO DRIVE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD SO I CAN EASILY PULL INTO A SIDE ROAD OR DRIVEWAY. I'M HOPING TO GET IT FIXED ASAP HOWEVER IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422364

95,000 miles · Aug 24, 2011

Exterior Lighting

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE UNTIL THE BATTERY DRAINED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED AND TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10421326

138,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011

Air BagsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS OPENED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S LEFT ARM WAS BURNED FROM THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #10421148

100,934 miles · Aug 20, 2011

EquipmentPower Train

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I AM SO UPSET THAT MY 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR HAS BEEN GOING OUT. I HAVE HAD THIS PART REPLACED BACK IN 2009 AND IT WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED A CAR ACCIDENT AS I WAS DRIVING DUE TO THE GEARS SHIFTING AS I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER. I WENT TO THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP AND ADVISE OF THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT IT NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I AM NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND AS I WAS GOING THROUGH A LIGHT WITH BUSY TRAFFIC THE SAME ISSUE AND ALMOST CAUSED A CAR TO REAR ENDED ME AND DUE TO THE GEAR CHANGING AND CAUSING MY CAR TO GO SLOW. SUZUKI SHOULD HAVE LONGER WARRANTIES ON THESE PARTS LONGER THAT A YEAR DUE TO THE PART IS NOT LASTING. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THEN THE DASHBOARD GEARS WILL SCRAMBLE. THE NEXT DAY THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AND TOOK IT TO SUZUKI AND SAID CAN NOT HELP CAUSE LIGHT WENT OFF. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I WAS TURNING INTO THE STREET TO THE TURNING LANE AND MY CAR STARTED TO STALL AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING. I AM ALSO UPSET THAT MY LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT AND IT WAS A RECALL AND SUZUKI SAID THAT IT WAS FIXED AND I AM STILL HAVING A ISSUE. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420810

101,000 miles · Aug 15, 2011

Unknown Or Other

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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

62,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT APPROACHED A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY SLOW RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE ENGINE RESTARTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND GEAR WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WITHIN AN HOUR AFTER THE REPAIR DUE TO A RECURRENCE OF THE FAILURE AND THE SENSOR WAS RECONNECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10418255

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2011

Power Train

1. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON . 2.CAR DOESN'T HAVE POWER, IS SLUGGISH. WHILE DRIVING IT SEEMS TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR, 3. CALLED DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT BUT NO RESPONSE IT MY TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10417795

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2011

Power Train

MY 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA WILL SHIFT ON ITS OWN FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING CAUSING MY CAR TO STALL OUT. WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE THE CAR WILL BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416515

Official recalls

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

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

Consequence: If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.