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2005 Suzuki Forenza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Suzuki Forenza do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 156.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

124 reports with mileage · 32 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports7 fire reports7 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

38 reports
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37,400 miles · Aug 15, 2008
Exterior Lighting

NHTSA CAMPAIGN #: 07V452000. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER SUPPOSEDLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ON THE WIRING HARNESS, I BELIEVE THAT IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED BECAUSE THE SAME INDICATOR INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT IS AGAIN MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER REPAIR OF THE HARNESS, THE MENTIONED LIGHT INDICATOR AGAIN WORKED PROPERLY, WHEREAS BEF…

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NHTSA CAMPAIGN #: 07V452000. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER SUPPOSEDLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ON THE WIRING HARNESS, I BELIEVE THAT IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED BECAUSE THE SAME INDICATOR INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT IS AGAIN MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER REPAIR OF THE HARNESS, THE MENTIONED LIGHT INDICATOR AGAIN WORKED PROPERLY, WHEREAS BEFORE THE REPAIR IT WAS NOT. I SPOKE WITH BOTH THE DEALER AND SUZUKI CORPORATE, AND THEY TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOT A LOW BEAM INDICATOR LIGHT ON MY CAR. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING MY CAR FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS I KNOW THAT WHEN THE DLL LIGHTS ARE NOT USED, (AMBER) THE LOW BEAM INDICATOR LIGHT (GREEN) COMES ON. UNLESS IT IS QUITE DARK OUT, I CANNOT TELL IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. SUZUKI IN BREA, CA SUGGESTED THAT I GET OUT OF MY CAR AND LOOK TO SEE IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT I CAN TELL IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON BECAUSE THE DLL LIGHT IS OFF. THE INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE A "DUMMY" LIGHT, BUT IT IS THE ONLY WAY THAT I KNOW MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AND WORKING PROPERLY. I WOULD LIKE A DIRECTIVE TO HAVE TO HAVE MY WIRING HARNESS RE-INSPECTED. THEY CITE LACK THE LACK OF WARRANTY TO LOOK AT ANYTHING, OTHERWISE THE COST IS $100.00. I SAY THIS BECAUSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, BUT FOR THEM TO LOOK AT MY AIRBAG, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME $100.00 I REALLY WANT TO ORDER A NEW ONE BUT THEY WILL NOT DO THAT WITHOUT THE CHARGE TO "LOOK" AT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238443

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2008
Exterior Lighting

2005 SUZUKI FORENZA WITH RECALL FOR LOWBEAM AND RUNNING LIGHTS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER INFORMED HER OF ANOTHER RECALL FOR THE WATER PUMP WHEN GETTING THE RECALL FOR THE LIGHTS REPAIRED. *KB THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHY THE RECALL FOR THE WATER PUMP WAS NOT LISTED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10216134

37,000 miles · Nov 18, 2007
Exterior Lighting

THE FIRST TIME I HAD A PROBLEM WAS WITH THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS, THEY WOULD COME ON WHEN THEY WANTED TO AFTER TWO MONTHS OF BUYING THE CAR. I DID NOT DO NOTHING ABOUT THAT, THEN I WAS DRIVING AND WENT TO TURN ON MY HIGH BEAMS AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ALL TOGETHER NO LIGHTS WHAT'S SO EVER, BUT THEN MESSED WITH SWITCH AND THEY CAME BA…

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THE FIRST TIME I HAD A PROBLEM WAS WITH THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS, THEY WOULD COME ON WHEN THEY WANTED TO AFTER TWO MONTHS OF BUYING THE CAR. I DID NOT DO NOTHING ABOUT THAT, THEN I WAS DRIVING AND WENT TO TURN ON MY HIGH BEAMS AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ALL TOGETHER NO LIGHTS WHAT'S SO EVER, BUT THEN MESSED WITH SWITCH AND THEY CAME BACK ON. THEN JUST THE OTHER DAY I WAS LEAVING A FRIENDS HOUSE AND I HAD HIGH BEAMS BUT NO REGULAR HEADLIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209263

41,000 miles · Jun 21, 2007
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED. I HAVE NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND I HAVE NO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND A SUZUKI FORUM AND IN THE FORUM MANY PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS HEADLIGHT PROBLEM IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I DO FI…

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I HAVE A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED. I HAVE NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND I HAVE NO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND A SUZUKI FORUM AND IN THE FORUM MANY PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS HEADLIGHT PROBLEM IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I DO FIND A COMPLAINT HERE WHERE A SINGLE MOM HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND SUZUKI REFUSES TO FIX IT. I CAN'T FIND ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. ISN'T THE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURER DEFECTS? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME?

NHTSA ODI #10193888

13,041 miles · May 24, 2007
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA AND WAS WONDERING IF YOUR SITE COULD ASSIST ME. I TOOK IT BACK FOR NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR AIR BAG SENSOR,HEADLIGHT FAILURE,KEY NOT BEING ABLE TO COME OUT OF IGNITION,AND UNABLE TO MOVE GEARSHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT PUTTING A KEY IN CONSOLE GEARSHIFT.DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR…

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HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA AND WAS WONDERING IF YOUR SITE COULD ASSIST ME. I TOOK IT BACK FOR NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR AIR BAG SENSOR,HEADLIGHT FAILURE,KEY NOT BEING ABLE TO COME OUT OF IGNITION,AND UNABLE TO MOVE GEARSHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT PUTTING A KEY IN CONSOLE GEARSHIFT.DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR LABOR. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND I NEED ADVISE ON WHAT I SHOULD DO.THEY DON'T WANT TO LET ME TRADE IT IN WITHOUT $3,000. I THINK ITS WRONG TO DO SOMETHING LIKE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE.I HAVE TO DRIVE 60 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GAS IS THREE DOLLARS A GALLON.I'M FED UP AND ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE APPRECIATED THANK YOU ANGELA YOUNG

NHTSA ODI #10191659

53,000 miles · May 3, 2007
Exterior Lighting

MY COMPLAINT ABOUT MY SUZUKI,FORENZA IS THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST TWICE FOR A SENSOR PROBLEM. MY SENSOR FOR MY DAY TIME LIGHTS CONSTANTLY GOES OUT AND COMES ON WHENEVER IT WANTS. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY PUT ON A NEW ONE BUT EVEN NOW IT CONSTANTLY GOES OUT THEN BACK ON AGAI…

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MY COMPLAINT ABOUT MY SUZUKI,FORENZA IS THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST TWICE FOR A SENSOR PROBLEM. MY SENSOR FOR MY DAY TIME LIGHTS CONSTANTLY GOES OUT AND COMES ON WHENEVER IT WANTS. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY PUT ON A NEW ONE BUT EVEN NOW IT CONSTANTLY GOES OUT THEN BACK ON AGAIN; I CANNOT TAKE IT BACK TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT BECAUSE THEY SAY MY WARRANTY IS OVER; ALSO MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS NO LONGER WORK BECAUSE OF A WIRING PROBLEM THE EXISTS. SOMEONE LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS A WIRE THAT LAYS AGAINST A PART OF THE ENGINE THAT GOES TO THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND IT BURNED OUT. ONE DAY I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND I THOUGHT IT NEEDED OIL. THE NEXT DAY I HAD NO LOW BEAM LIGHTS TO USE. I CAN ONLY USE MY HIGH BEAM NOW BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID MY WARRANTY RAN OUT. THIS CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND I BOUGHT IT WITH ONLY 5 MILES ON IT. THOSE WIRING SHOULD NOT BE DEFECTIVE AS OF YET. I FOUND OUT FROM A CO-WORKER WHO HAS A FORENZA IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM; HE CANNOT USE HIS LOW BEAM LIGHTS ANYMORE AND HIS WARRANTY IS OVER; HE HAS TO USE HIS HIGH BEAM ALSO. PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (8-MAY-07): THE COMPLAINANT INDICATED THAT SOMETIMES EVEN THE HIGH BEAMS DO NOT WORK NOW.

NHTSA ODI #10189710

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

2005 SUZUKI FORENZA STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE IT REPLACED UNDER LEMON LAW. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT BACK AND FOURTH WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER FOUND INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE WOULD LOOSE POWER. THE DEALER FOUND THE BRAKE LIGHT STICKING FROM THE SWITCH. *…

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2005 SUZUKI FORENZA STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE IT REPLACED UNDER LEMON LAW. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT BACK AND FOURTH WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER FOUND INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE WOULD LOOSE POWER. THE DEALER FOUND THE BRAKE LIGHT STICKING FROM THE SWITCH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167989

15,700 miles · Aug 14, 2006
Exterior Lighting

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, AND THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION. THERE WAS NO DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10165398

Official recalls

3

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

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.

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

1

PE07039 · Headlight / Drl Malfunction

Opened Jul 24, 2007 · Closed Oct 2, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2007, SUZUKI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL RECALL MODEL YEARS 2004 -2006 FORENZA AND RENO VEHICLES TO CORRECT A DEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF HEADLIGHT AND/OR DRL FUNCTION.THIS RECALL AFFECTS 93,963 VEHICLES.NHTSA ASSIGNED NUMBER 07V-452 FOR THIS RECALL.NHTSA'S INVESTIGATION INITIALLY FOCUSED ON 2005 FORENZAS, THEN EXPANDED IT TO 2004-2005 FORENZAS (TOTAL OF 58,448 VEHICLES). SUZUKI BROADENED THE RECALL SCOPE TO COVER 2004-2006 FORENZAS & RENOS (93,963 VEHICLES).THE WIRING HARNESS BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTAINS A SPLICE PACK TO CONNECT THE POWER CIRCUIT WIRES FOR LOW-BEAM HEADLAMPS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (DRL).INCREASED RESISTANCE DUE TO POOR CONTACT BETWEEN TERMINALS CAN GENERATE HEAT WHICH CAN LEAD TO MELTING OF THE SPLICE PACK IN THE AREA OF WIRES AND THE LOSS OF HEADLIGHT AND/OR DRL FUNCTION. FOR THE REMEDY, DEALERS WILL SPLICE THE POWER CIRCUIT WIRES FOR THE LOW-BEAM HEADLAMPS AND DRLS FREE OF CHARGE.SUZUKI'S RECALL CAMPAIGN (MANUFACTURER RECALL NO. NB) IS EXPECTED TO START AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2007.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.