2005 Suzuki Forenza

Routine

Owners filed 156 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the exterior lighting. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
48,400 milesMedian miles at failure

124 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags24
202
Exterior Lighting19
010
Electrical System15
030
Power Train11
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission10
000
Engine9
011
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module9
000
Air Bags › Frontal8
204
Vehicle Speed Control4
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights3
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights14V262000
Filed May 19, 2014184,244 vehiclesSuzuki Motor Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights12V397000
Filed Aug 14, 2012101,688 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Exterior Lighting07V452000
Filed Sep 25, 200793,963 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Feb 3, 2021121,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 37 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE CAUSING THE FRONT WHEELS TO LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER YESRIDE (1315 S CUMBERLAND ST, MORRISTOWN, TN 37813) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 3, 2020180,000 milesTX

MY LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. THE LEFT HEAD LIGHT DIMS OR DOESNT WORK AT ALL AND THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT IS COMPLETELY BROKEN. IVE CHANGED BULBS MULTIPLE TIMES AND STILL NOTHING. IF I PUT ON MY BLINKER WHILE DRIVING IT WILL CUT OFF THE ONE LIGHT THAT KIND OF WORKS. USING MY BRIGHTS WHILE ON THE ROAD MAY CUT MY LIGHTS ON BRIEFLY

Engine
Filed Sep 10, 202050,802 milesFL

TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR MALFUNCTION. CAR WON'T ACCELERATE OR GO ABOVE 1ST GEAR. $160 TO REPLACE. KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.

Engine
Filed Apr 26, 2019TN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHEN THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION IT IS HOT, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIP OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AMERICA'S MOTOR SPORTS (930 8TH AVE S, NASHVILLE, TN 37203, (615) 834-8990) FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE KEY BECAME HOT WHENEVER IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. *TT*JB

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 24, 2018100,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING HOME USING THE FOG LAMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 12, 201833,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH STARTING. THE DEALER (GERMAIN TOYOTA OF NAPLES, 13315 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34110) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED PRIOR TO BEING REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V262000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 12V397000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 9, 2018FL

I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ELETRICAL WIRING. I'VE NOTICED A SHORTNESS IN MY RADIO, ACCORDING BREAKS AND PRESSURE FOR THE CAR OVER HEATING WHEN STOPPING. HAD MY RADIATOR AND FANS REPLACED. BUT STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH CAR OVER HEATING. AND AC AND HEAT NOT WORKING WHEN TURNED ON. IF CLOSE THE DOOR OR GO OVER A BUMP IN ROAD WILL WORK. JUST LIKE MY RADIO. I ONLY HAD THIS CAR SINCE LAST FEB AND ITS BECOMING WORRISOME. BRAKE LIGHTS SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK HAS A SHORTNESS ALSO. AND LOW HEAD BEAM ON DRIVER SIDE KEEP GOING OUT... HAVE TO DRIVE ON HIGH BEAM ALL THE TIME AT NIGHT

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Feb 21, 2018200,000 milesKS

NOT SURE IF YOU CAN TELL US WHAT TO DO BUT WE BOUT A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA LAST APRIL FOR OUR 18 YEAR OLD FOR GRADUATION AND WE ONLY BOUT IT FOR $1200 AND WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT A RECALL AT ALL. LONG STORY SHORT MY SON WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE ONE NIGHT AND WITHIN A MATTER OF MINUTES OF HIM LEAVING HE RUNS IN THE HOUSE YELLING HIS CAR IS ON FIRE SO WE RAN OUT PUT THE FIRE OUT AND THEN LOOKED IT UP AND FOUND A RECALL ON THE PART THAT CAUGHT FIRE. HEADLAMP SWITCH DRL MODULE. THANKS GOD HE WAS NOT DRIVING DOWN THE STREET OR THE OTHER CARS OR HOUSE CAUGHT FIRE. SO AFTER I PUT IN THE VEN NUMBER AND FIND THIS INFO WITHIN A WEEK WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM SUZUKI. NOW MY QUESTION IS WILL THIS GET PAID FOR LIKE THE WIRING THAT GOT BURNT UP AND WHO PAYS TO GET IT TO ANOTHER TOWN TO GET FIXED? IF SOMEONE COULD LEAD ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION THAT WOULD BE GREAT I JUST REALLY THINK WE GOT SCREWED AND MY SON REALLY WANTS HIS CAR FIXED

Air Bags
Filed Feb 28, 2017OH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 16, 2017140,000 milesAZ

I FILED A COMPLAINT LAST WEEK NUMBER 10949103 BUT DUE TO THE NHTSA RECALL WEBSITE PROBLEMS WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON MY PROBLEM. SO I WILL BE TAKING IT IN FOR THE 3 RECALLS ON THIS CAR.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 2, 2017130,000 milesAZ

I HAVE 2 SUZUKI FORENZAS OF THIS MODEL YEAR. ONE HAD A RECALL ON THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (XA RECALL). ONE OF THE SYMPTOMS WAS THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. FINALLY HAD IT DONE (HAD TO DRIVE 2 PLUS HOURS TO FIND A DEALER WHO COULD DO THIS BECAUSE OF IT'S ORPHAN STATUS). NOW THE SECOND FORENZA HAS THE SAME THING HAPPENING YET SOMEHOW IT'S NOT A PART OF THIS RECALL......THIS SEEMS TO BE A MISTAKE AND I AM STATING THAT OTHER VEHICLES THAN THE ORIGINAL GROUP ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS ON. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 25, 2016175,000 milesOR

I BOUGHT A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THESE CARS ARE SO HAZARDOUS. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER MY PURCHASE, THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO REVERSE ON THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET IT OUT OF REVERSE AND COAST TO THE SHOULDER. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THIS IS AN ONGOING DEFECT THAT, AND THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT SUZUKI HAS BEEN MADE AWARE BUT SITS BACK AND DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT. THIS CAR HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING DEADLY AND NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE MARKET SO THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME AREN'T FORCED TO DRIVE SOMETHING SO UNSAFE. I CAN'T AFFORD THE COSTLY REPAIRS AND I CAN'T SELL THIS CAR. I AM SCARED TO DEATH THAT IN ONE OF THE MANY STALLS SOME ONE IS GOING TO HIT ME. IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ON THE MARKET TO START WITH. I AM CONFIDENT THAT IF SOMEONE HASN'T ALREADY BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE CAR THAT THEY WILL BE.

Engine
Filed Jul 18, 201651,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SHOOK FORCEFULLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE'S OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE UP, SO HE HAD THE TUNE UP REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Power Train
Filed Jul 2, 201678,000 milesVA

2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. CAR HAS 78,000 MILES. MANUAL TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION JERKS, SLIPS AND IS NOW IS STUCK IN THE HIGHEST GEAR. WILL BARELY PULL OUT. THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE SLIPPING. THIS LEAD TO THE JERKING. THEN IS STARTED TO DOWN SHIFT VIOLENTLY WITH NO NOTICE THROWING YOU FORWARD. THESE EVENTS APPEAR TO ONLY PRESENT WHEN DRIVING IN TOWN CONDITIONS. HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY ISSUES ON HIGHWAY. I HAVE HAD IT TO MECHANICS TWICE WITH NO SUCCESS. THE LAST TIME THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. AT NO TIME HAS AN ERROR CODE BEEN PRESENT THAT WOULD LEAD A TRAINED MECHANIC TO A VIABLE REPAIR. THIS SITUATION IS DANGEROUS.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 23, 2016100,000 milesTN

THE VEHICLE HAS SUFFERED FROM AN INTERMITTENT AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE PAST 10K MILES BUT AT 110K MILES THE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I HAVE ATTEMPTED SOME OF THE SUZUKI OWNERS RECOMMENDATIONS OF DISCONNECTING AND THEN RECONNECTING THE CONNECTORS UNDER THE SEATS TO NO AVAIL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FORENZA'S AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ONE.

Power Train
Filed Mar 16, 2016155,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM INCREASING SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 27, 2016NC

UPLOAD FORWARDED

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 19, 2016120,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED FROM THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE THROAT, LEFT WRIST, AND KNEE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

Interior Lighting
Filed Dec 4, 2015112,000 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HIGH BEAMS DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000......UPDATED 02/11/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE HAZARD LIGHTS, DASH PANEL LIGHTS, AND THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE. *JS

Air Bags
Filed Dec 3, 201555,000 milesKY

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON SINCE 07-2014 APPROX. 55,000 MILES ON CAR AT THAT TIME. DEALER SAYS THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL AND SUZUKI WILL NOT COVER UNDER WARRENTY, BUT THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE MY MONEY. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN # TS050115B.ITS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING.

20 of 156 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20081521100Routine
20072562250High concern
2006280480Above average
2005 — this page156370Routine
200463550Routine

Compare every Forenza year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.