I WENT ON A TRIP TO EL PASO,TEXAS WITH MY FAMILY AND ON MY WAY BACK I HAD THE WORST TROUBLE WITH MY CAR. MY CAR STARTED JERKING A BIT. I THOUGH NOTHING OF IT AND KEPT GOING JUST HOPING TO GET HOME WITH MY KIDS. ON MY WAY BACK HOME I STOPPED BY A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY INFORMED IT WAS THE SENSORS IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WERE NO …
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I WENT ON A TRIP TO EL PASO,TEXAS WITH MY FAMILY AND ON MY WAY BACK I HAD THE WORST TROUBLE WITH MY CAR. MY CAR STARTED JERKING A BIT. I THOUGH NOTHING OF IT AND KEPT GOING JUST HOPING TO GET HOME WITH MY KIDS. ON MY WAY BACK HOME I STOPPED BY A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY INFORMED IT WAS THE SENSORS IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WERE NO GOOD. BUT IT IS A NEWER CAR SO I THOUGH THEY MUST BE WRONG. I DID MAKE IT SAFELY TO MY HOME. IT STOPPED DOING THE JERKING. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER IT STARTED BACK UP. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING SINCE MARCH 4,2008. I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY ME BUT I HAVE FOUND OUT BY AUTOZONE THAT A FEW PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN THEIR CAR FRO THE SAME ISSUE. SO I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD B REPAIRED BECAUSE I DID NOT DO ANYTHING. I WAS TAKEN MY CHILDREN 2 DAYS AGO TO THE DOCTOR AND WHAT SEEMED LIKE A NORMAL TRIP BECAME A NIGHTMARE. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO(PUT YOURSELF IN MY PLACE AT THE 5:00 P.M. TRAFFIC) THE ENGINE JUST REVED VERY HIGH AND I PUT MY FOOT DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THEN IT WENT FORWARD WITH A JERKING MOTION FORWARD. I WAS SO SCARED AND STILL AM THAT I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO TRY TO STALL ON ME AND NOT SHIFT GEARS. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR NOT EVEN 7 MONTHS AGO FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT IS OVER THE 36,000 MILES AND I DO EXPECT FOR THIS ISSUE TO GET RESOLVED AND FOR YOU AS A COMPANY FIX THE ISSUE. I DID RESEARCH AND I DO SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL OF CAR. ARE YOU EXPECTING A MAJOR ACCIDENT FOR YOU TO TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE?? I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN! WOULD YOU? I DO NOT WANT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT IN ORDER FRO YOU TO TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CARS KEEPS JERKING AND YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR WHOLE FOOT TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER FRO IT TO SHIFT I NEED RESULTS!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223165
25,000 miles · Mar 2, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY 2008 FOR THE 2 SAFETY RECALLS TO BE REPAIRED. THE VERY NEXT DAY MY CAR STRUGGLED TO SHIFT 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THEY SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY. THEY DROVE THE CAR AND SAID IT WASN'T DOING AN…
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
NHTSA ODI #10219817
16,000 miles · Jan 24, 2008
Power Train
AUTOMATIC CAR DOWN-SHIFT WHEN U LET UP ON GAS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215841
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
12,500 miles · Feb 6, 2007
Power Train
TRANSMISION COMPUTER FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY AT A MOUTAIN. CARS TEMP. WENT HIGH. VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN 4 GEAR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10181742
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
113 miles · Feb 27, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND A SENSOR IN THE ENGINE; HOWEVER THE PROBLEM REMAINS.
NHTSA ODI #10151341
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2005
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
HAVE A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. BOUGHT IT JUNE OF 2005. FOR THE TIME THAT I HAD THE CAR IT HAD LITTLE PROBLEMS AT TIMES. BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 5 MILES ON IT. SUZUKI DEALERSHIPS ONLY LOOK AT YOUR CAR BY APPOINTMENT ONLY AND WHEN THEY DO LOOK AT IT THEY CLAIM NOTHING WAS FOUND. THE CAR HESITATES AND DOWNSHIFTS HARD AT TIMES. IN THE MORN…
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HAVE A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. BOUGHT IT JUNE OF 2005. FOR THE TIME THAT I HAD THE CAR IT HAD LITTLE PROBLEMS AT TIMES. BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 5 MILES ON IT. SUZUKI DEALERSHIPS ONLY LOOK AT YOUR CAR BY APPOINTMENT ONLY AND WHEN THEY DO LOOK AT IT THEY CLAIM NOTHING WAS FOUND. THE CAR HESITATES AND DOWNSHIFTS HARD AT TIMES. IN THE MORNING THE CAR HAS HARD STARTS WHEN COLD. THE EXHAUST MAKES NOISE AND TRANSMISSION DOES TOO. THE CLAIMS ARE THAT IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT CAR AND NORMAL. RECENTLY I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCK AT AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE THE CAR STALLED WHILE TRYING TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION FROM A STOP SIGN. THE GAS PEDAL HAD TO BE PRESSED TO THE FLOOR TO MOVE AND IT DID IT SLOWLY. FROM A STOP THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. ALSO AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. SUZUKI MAKES IT HARD TO HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICE AND CLAIM WARRANTY WORK. THAT INCLUDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOO. WHEN CAR WAS DELIVERED BACK TO ME AFTER I DROPPED IT OFF THEY CLAIM THAT NOTHING WAS FOUND. MAYBE IT WAS THE GAS CAP THEY SAID. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS TOO MUCH TOO BE A LOOSE GAS CAP. I HAD TO GET UPSET FOR THEM TO LOOK AT MY CAR. MANY PROBLEMS FOR A NEW CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10145982
2,935 miles · Dec 9, 2005
Power Train
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ONE MONTH PRIOR TO PROBLEM. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY HUNTS FOR GEARS, SHIFTING ABRUPTLY AND SHARPLY WITHOUT PROVOCATION. AT 2,950 MILES, THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE BEGAN TO GROAN. WHEN PROCEEDING FROM A STOP, THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AS IF TRANSMISSI…
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PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ONE MONTH PRIOR TO PROBLEM. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY HUNTS FOR GEARS, SHIFTING ABRUPTLY AND SHARPLY WITHOUT PROVOCATION. AT 2,950 MILES, THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE BEGAN TO GROAN. WHEN PROCEEDING FROM A STOP, THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AS IF TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ENGAGED. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD, VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND TRANSMISSION WOULD ENGAGE, BUT CONSTANTLY SHIFT EARLY OR LATE AND HUNT BETWEEN GEARS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO SOLVE PROBLEM. WAS INFORMED THAT THE 'CHECK ENGINE' WAS DEFINITELY ON AND THAT A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AS PER A "RECALL" ON 2005 FORENZA TRANSMISSIONS. TRANSMISSION DOES SHIFT SMOOTHER NOW, BUT STILL HAS JERKY MOMENTS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10144874
992 miles · Jul 15, 2005
Power Train
DT: CALLER HAS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. CAR JERKS WITHOUT WARNING BECAUSE THE ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION LEARNING SOFTWARE IN THE COMPUTE IS DEFECTIVE. CALLER SAYS THE ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING IS AFFECTED BY THE COMPUTER PROBLEM, AND THE CAR HUNTS BETWEEN GEARS, AND THAT IS WHY IT JERKS. CALLER IS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS FAMILY BEI…
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DT: CALLER HAS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. CAR JERKS WITHOUT WARNING BECAUSE THE ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION LEARNING SOFTWARE IN THE COMPUTE IS DEFECTIVE. CALLER SAYS THE ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING IS AFFECTED BY THE COMPUTER PROBLEM, AND THE CAR HUNTS BETWEEN GEARS, AND THAT IS WHY IT JERKS. CALLER IS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS FAMILY BEING IN THIS CAR. DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NO FIX AT THIS TIME, DEALER WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. CALLER DID E-MAIL MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. *AK *NM
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.
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.
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.
2005 Suzuki Forenza Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year