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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 →

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.

19 crash reports8 fire reports20 injury reports

What owners actually said

280 reports
77,457 miles · Nov 3, 2010
Air Bags

2006 SUZUKI FORENZA AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON 6/2010. COST $700 TO REPAIR DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. 11/2010 LIGHT CAME BACK ON, NOW DEALER WANTS $1000 TO REPAIR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. IF YOU GO ONLINE, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND AIRBAGS REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363914

57,900 miles · Oct 27, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RANGE SWITCH COULD POSSIBLY NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,140.

NHTSA ODI #10362679

21,000 miles · Oct 26, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION, THE GEARS WOULD SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD. THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR WOULD INDICATE REVERSE, DRIVE AND THEN NEUTRAL. THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY DIRECTIO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION, THE GEARS WOULD SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD. THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR WOULD INDICATE REVERSE, DRIVE AND THEN NEUTRAL. THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000.

NHTSA ODI #10362383

56,000 miles · Oct 21, 2010
Power TrainSeat BeltsSuspension

I HAVE A 2006 FORENZA AT 36,000 MILES MY SEAT BELT LIGHT REMAINS ON AND WAS FIXED ONCE UNDER THE RECALL BUT NOW THEY WON'T FIX IT AGAIN. THEN I FIND OUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR FOR MORE TIRES THAT THEY ARE BEING EATEN UP BY BAD REAR STRUTS.THE CAR HAD AT THAT TIME 56,000 MILES. THE STRUTS ARE EXPENSIVE AND OF COURSE DEALER PARTS. AND…

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I HAVE A 2006 FORENZA AT 36,000 MILES MY SEAT BELT LIGHT REMAINS ON AND WAS FIXED ONCE UNDER THE RECALL BUT NOW THEY WON'T FIX IT AGAIN. THEN I FIND OUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR FOR MORE TIRES THAT THEY ARE BEING EATEN UP BY BAD REAR STRUTS.THE CAR HAD AT THAT TIME 56,000 MILES. THE STRUTS ARE EXPENSIVE AND OF COURSE DEALER PARTS. AND NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. NO WAY TO CHECK OR FILL IT UNLESS YOU GO TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHARGE A FORTUNE TO DO THAT AND WHERE I LIVE THERE IS ONLY ONE DEALER IN A SEVERAL HUNDRED MILE RADIUS SO THERE IS A LONG WAIT. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF [XXX] AND I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. WHAT CAN YOU DO AS A CONSUMER? THIS IS CRAZY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361497

46,000 miles · Oct 11, 2010
Power Train

I HAVE A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT BEGINS WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE.THE CAR WILL JERK AND THE RPM'S WILL BEGIN TO REV BUT CAR WONT TAKE OFF AND WHEN IT DOES, IT GOES VERY SLOW FOR A WHILE. AS I MOVE THE GEAR INTO PARK, DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE CAR …

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I HAVE A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT BEGINS WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE.THE CAR WILL JERK AND THE RPM'S WILL BEGIN TO REV BUT CAR WONT TAKE OFF AND WHEN IT DOES, IT GOES VERY SLOW FOR A WHILE. AS I MOVE THE GEAR INTO PARK, DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE CAR WILL JERK THROUGH EACH GEAR. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH AND NOW HAS PROGRESSED TO AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. THIS IS NOT SAFE WHEN GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE YOU CAN TAKE OFF WHEN THERE ARE NO CARS, BUT THE CARS SOON COME RACING THROUGH AND I'M STILL NOT ACROSS THE INTERSECTION YET BECAUSE THE CAR MOVES EXTREMELY SLOW WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. MY HUSBAND IS STATIONED IN GERMANY AND CAR REPAIRS ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE HERE SO WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT FIXED YET BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359975

76,000 miles · Oct 9, 2010
Exterior Lighting

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 2006 SUKUZI FORENZA IS MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO HAVING BECOME MISADJUSTED WHILE PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON AND WHILE TURNED OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359881

38,000 miles · Oct 6, 2010
Structure

I OWN A USED 06' SUZUKI FORENZA. ALL OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AS IT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THE WEB MANY A TIMES. THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE WAS ALREADY CRACKED AND LOOKED TO BE GLUED BACK TOGETHER. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE JUST BROKE ALONG WITH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE…

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I OWN A USED 06' SUZUKI FORENZA. ALL OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AS IT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THE WEB MANY A TIMES. THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE WAS ALREADY CRACKED AND LOOKED TO BE GLUED BACK TOGETHER. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE JUST BROKE ALONG WITH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE. WHEN I INQUIRED OF SUZUKI AFTER I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE DOOR HANDLES THEY SAID MY CAR WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. HOWEVER THEY USED THE SAME DOOR HANDLES FOR THE 06 MODELS AS THEY DID FOR OLDER MODELS THAT I DO BELIEVE HAVE A RECALL. THIS CONSTITUTES A GRAVE RISK TO THE PASSENGERS AND MYSELF AS I HAVE TO UNROLL MY WINDOW TO EVEN OPEN THE DOOR, I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY GET OUT TO LET OUT THE REAR DRIVER PASSENGER OUT. IN ORDER TO FIX THIS I HAVE TO PAY A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THIS. I AM ASKING THAT YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS AND MAKE SUZUKI ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE BADLY MADE DOOR HANDLES. IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT MY CHILDREN AND POSSIBLY MYSELF MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR IN CASE OF A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359458

17,000 miles · Sep 28, 2010
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000.

NHTSA ODI #10358133

30,000 miles · Sep 28, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. HOWEVER AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE HAD CORRECTED ITSELF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SHIFT SENSOR WAS REPL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. HOWEVER AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE HAD CORRECTED ITSELF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SHIFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000.

NHTSA ODI #10358130

56,000 miles · Sep 22, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesPower TrainSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE MANY DEFECTS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED ALL THE FAILURES ARE NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY AND SHE HAS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR ALL THE REPAIRS. THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE THE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS, THROTTLE BODY, DOOR …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE MANY DEFECTS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED ALL THE FAILURES ARE NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY AND SHE HAS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR ALL THE REPAIRS. THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE THE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS, THROTTLE BODY, DOOR HANDLE AND TRANSMISSION RANGE CENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THEY CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10357059

Official recalls

4

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.