IllustrationI FACE THE HEAT ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS LIKE THE OTHER SUZUKI CARS OF SIMILAR MODELS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY.
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
What owners actually said
280 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BANGING NOISE THAT EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WOULD ALSO BE AN 'X' ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEXT TO THE 'D…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BANGING NOISE THAT EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WOULD ALSO BE AN 'X' ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEXT TO THE 'D' FOR DRIVE ON THE SHIFT SELECTOR. THE CONTACT WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RANGE TRANSMISSION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION JERKED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
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.)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED IT WOULD TAKE FIVE TO TEN MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER FOR…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED IT WOULD TAKE FIVE TO TEN MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AT 98000 MILES IN 2011 AND SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON EVERY 4-6MONTHS OR SO ( THE DRIVE SIDE)...THEN I WOULD TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CENSOR, ETC AND RESET IT. AM REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS, THERE MUST BE A FAULTY SENSOR/PART OF THE AIRBAG WITH 2006 SUZU…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AT 98000 MILES IN 2011 AND SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON EVERY 4-6MONTHS OR SO ( THE DRIVE SIDE)...THEN I WOULD TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CENSOR, ETC AND RESET IT. AM REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS, THERE MUST BE A FAULTY SENSOR/PART OF THE AIRBAG WITH 2006 SUZUKI FLORENZA AIRBAG.
BATTERY INDICATOR AND BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE CLUSTER PANEL. WHEN IN DRIVE, THE DISPLAY SHOWING WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN FLASHES AN UNRECOGNIZABLE SIGNAL. SOME TROUBLE ACCELERATING.
THE FAULT CONDITIONS OF THIS VEHICLE CAUSE THE AIR BAG MIL TO ILLUMINATE. DIAGNOSIS VERIFIED A FAULT WITH THE PASSENGER OC MAT/SENSOR AND WAS REPLACED. THE SAME FAULT CONDITIONS REPEATED WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSIS OF A FAULTY PASSENGER OC MAT/SENSOR AND WAS REPLACED AGAIN. BUT EVEN THOUGH THE SAME PART WAS REPLACED TWICE THERE REMA…
Read full complaint
THE FAULT CONDITIONS OF THIS VEHICLE CAUSE THE AIR BAG MIL TO ILLUMINATE. DIAGNOSIS VERIFIED A FAULT WITH THE PASSENGER OC MAT/SENSOR AND WAS REPLACED. THE SAME FAULT CONDITIONS REPEATED WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSIS OF A FAULTY PASSENGER OC MAT/SENSOR AND WAS REPLACED AGAIN. BUT EVEN THOUGH THE SAME PART WAS REPLACED TWICE THERE REMAINS A FAULT WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND DIAGNOSIS CONCLUDES THAT THE SAME FAULT REMAINS WITH THE PASSENGER OC MAT/SENSOR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN/ENGINEERED AND POSSIBLE A SOFTWARE FAULT WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN ACHIEVED AND CONCERNS REMAIN THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THIS COMPLAINT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHIC…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,040.
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.