BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD CRACKED DURING WARM UP ON COLD MORNING. *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
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.
What owners actually said
280 reportsWHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR ON 1/30/2006, IT STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS,SUCH AS NOT STARTING UP, THE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. THE POWER WINDOWS ROLLING UP AND DOWN BY THEMSELVES. THE POWER LOCKS STOP WORKING AND THEN WORK OVER AND OVER AGAIN. WHEN I'M DRIVING, THE CAR JERKS …
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WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR ON 1/30/2006, IT STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS,SUCH AS NOT STARTING UP, THE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. THE POWER WINDOWS ROLLING UP AND DOWN BY THEMSELVES. THE POWER LOCKS STOP WORKING AND THEN WORK OVER AND OVER AGAIN. WHEN I'M DRIVING, THE CAR JERKS AND PULLS ALL THE TIME. (THE PULLING IS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION). I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO AND I FEEL REAL BAD ABOUT GETTING STUCK WITH A LEMON. AFTER I GET OUT OF SCHOOL I TAKE CLASSES AT NIGHT AND MY KIDS GO TO THE DAYCARE ON CAMPUS WHEN I PICKED THEM UP AFTER CLASS, GOT IN THE CAR, STARTED IT UP, AND THE FRONT TWO WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN BY THEMSELVES, AND WOULD NOT ROLL UP AND IT WAS SNOWING AND WE HAD TO RIDE ALL THE WAY HOME LIKE THAT. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T CARE. AS FAR AS THEY ARE CONCERNED, IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. IT IS A MESSED UP WORLD WE LIVE IN WHERE SOMEONE KNOWS THAT YOU REALLY NEED A CAR AND THEY SCREW YOU WITH A LEMON. UNTIL THIS PRESENT DAY, ALL THESE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED STILL EXIST BUT SO DO ME AND MY SON-3 AND MY DAUGHTER-6 IF ANYBODY CAN HELP, IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *JB
IT WAS A HIT AND RUN. FROM THE REAR AND HIT A TREE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SAFETY FIRST. NOW I FEEL THE CAR IS A DEFECT. PLEASE GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH ME ON THIS MATTER. *NM
ON FEB 3, 2007, I HAD A AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN MY CAR BEING TOTALED. IT HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, AND THE AIR BAG SENSORS WERE EXPOSED, BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I WASN'T INJURED BAD ENOUGH TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN, AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. MY INSURANCE AD…
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ON FEB 3, 2007, I HAD A AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN MY CAR BEING TOTALED. IT HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, AND THE AIR BAG SENSORS WERE EXPOSED, BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I WASN'T INJURED BAD ENOUGH TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN, AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE BAGS TO NOT WORK, BECAUSE THE SENSORS WERE EXPOSED, AND I HAD HIT MANY TREES WITH THE RADIATOR RESTING ON THE MOTOR. MY ADJUSTER GAVE ME HIS NAME AND NUMBER FOR CONTACT IF I NEEDED FOR ANYONE TO CONTACT HIM. MY CAR IS NOW TOTALED, AND I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION, BECAUSE THE SUZUKI COMPANY WILL NOT STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE, AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN WORKING ORDER, AS IT WAS A NEW CAR. *NM
2006 SUZUKI FORENZA WITH SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING LOSS CONTROL AND STICKING AND ENGINE STALLING**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE GEARS WOULD STICK AND SHE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL STEERING COMPONENT FAILURES. TO THIS DATE THE STEERING PROBLEM STILL HAD NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START, TH…
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2006 SUZUKI FORENZA WITH SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING LOSS CONTROL AND STICKING AND ENGINE STALLING**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE GEARS WOULD STICK AND SHE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL STEERING COMPONENT FAILURES. TO THIS DATE THE STEERING PROBLEM STILL HAD NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START, THE CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT 2 MINUTES BEFORE TRYING AGAIN. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO REVERSE. THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER STATED THEY LUBRICATED THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. THE NOISE EVENTUALLY RETURNED. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THEY OVER-LUBRICATED THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. *JB
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
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
THREE WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED MY FORENZA THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FORENZA .THE PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH THE '02 SENSOR' AND CURRENTLY THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. AT THAT TIME THEY RESET THE CODE PROBLEM. EACH TIME THE PROBLEM RECURRED I WENT BA…
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THREE WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED MY FORENZA THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FORENZA .THE PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH THE '02 SENSOR' AND CURRENTLY THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. AT THAT TIME THEY RESET THE CODE PROBLEM. EACH TIME THE PROBLEM RECURRED I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAUSED THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF. ON AUGUST 25 THE PROMISED FIXED WAS INSTALLED AND A FEW DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AGAIN AND I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CORRECTION HAS NOT WORKED AND I WOULD BE CONTACTED WHEN ONE WAS AVAILABLE. AS OF OCTOBER 25, 2006, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON AND I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY NO ONE, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE CALLED, WRITTEN AND EMAILED TO EVERYONE CONNECTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SHIFTED FROM OVERDRIVE TO FIRST OR SECOND GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE RPM'S ON THE SPEEDOMETER INCREASED DRASTICALLY, AND THE CONTACT LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED DOWN TO 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHI…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SHIFTED FROM OVERDRIVE TO FIRST OR SECOND GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE RPM'S ON THE SPEEDOMETER INCREASED DRASTICALLY, AND THE CONTACT LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED DOWN TO 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE MAIN PROCESSOR HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AFTER THE PROCESSOR WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT, BUT GAVE THE CONTACT A RENTAL CAR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED.
I PURCHASED A 4 DOOR 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA AND ON THE NEXT MORNING JUST A DAY AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I TRIED AGAIN AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE LIKE IT WAS HAVING A SEIZURE. I LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED. WHEN I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP OF WHAT HAPPEN …
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I PURCHASED A 4 DOOR 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA AND ON THE NEXT MORNING JUST A DAY AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I TRIED AGAIN AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE LIKE IT WAS HAVING A SEIZURE. I LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED. WHEN I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP OF WHAT HAPPEN I WAS TOLD IT''S A NEW CAR AND I JUST HAD TO BREAK-IT-IN. EVERY MORNING THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER SITTING OVER NIGHT. ADDITIONALLY WHEN I DRIVE I WOULD EXPERIENCE SOME DELAYS FROM THE TRANSMISSION, WHEN I ACCELERATE THE CAR WOULD JERK. THE LAST TIME I HAD TO GET THE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS A RE-PROGRAMMING ERROR. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID WHAT WAS CALLED A PASS THROUGH RE-PROGRAMMING HOWEVER THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR IN ON SEVERAL OCCASION BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LAST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 9/18/06 AND MY CAR IS STILL BEING TESTED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE STAR SUZUKI DEALERSHIP AT 1890 DOGWOOD DRIVE IN CONYERS, GA AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.. *NM
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.
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