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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
51,000 miles · Sep 24, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN, WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT VALVES , AND THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE TIMING CHAIN SEPARATED TWICE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. NONE OF THE REPAIRS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN, WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT VALVES , AND THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE TIMING CHAIN SEPARATED TWICE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,000.

NHTSA ODI #10285139

38,000 miles · Aug 4, 2009
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

SUZUKI FORENZA IN FRONT END COLLISION WITH JEEP WRANGLER. FORENZA SUFFERED FRONT END DAMAGE. THE AIRBAGS IN THE FORENZA DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IN THE FORENZA DID NOT LOCK WHEN I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, WHICH LED TO ME SLAMMING AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279299

36,000 miles · Jul 30, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE ALLOWED THE DOOR TO OPEN. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE REAR DOOR AS WELL. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE ALLOWED THE DOOR TO OPEN. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE REAR DOOR AS WELL. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10278794

42,000 miles · May 21, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, MY LIGHT WAS GREEN, I PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION, THEN A CAR RAN THEIR RED LIGHT, STRIKING MY LEFT FENDER/FRONT, BUCKLED UP MY CAR, BUMPERS LOCKED, HAD TO BE PULLED APART! IN THIS MVA, NONE OF THE FRONTAL/AIRBAGS DEPLOYED! THERE WERE 'FOUR' PEOPLE IN MY CAR, INCLUDING ME. ALL INJURED, …

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I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, MY LIGHT WAS GREEN, I PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION, THEN A CAR RAN THEIR RED LIGHT, STRIKING MY LEFT FENDER/FRONT, BUCKLED UP MY CAR, BUMPERS LOCKED, HAD TO BE PULLED APART! IN THIS MVA, NONE OF THE FRONTAL/AIRBAGS DEPLOYED! THERE WERE 'FOUR' PEOPLE IN MY CAR, INCLUDING ME. ALL INJURED, ALL WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. AND ALL SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION. I WAS SHOCKED!! AS WELL AS THE PERSON IN THE OTHER FRONT SEAT. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, WITH MY HEAD...POLICE ON THE SCENE, SAID TO SUE FOR AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269580

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2009
Power Train

2006 SUZUKI FORENZA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE LIGHT. CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT FROM SUZUKI. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD HIS TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE GEAR WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE, IT WOULD ONLY GO INTO NEUTRAL. THE MECHANI…

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2006 SUZUKI FORENZA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE LIGHT. CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT FROM SUZUKI. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD HIS TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE GEAR WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE, IT WOULD ONLY GO INTO NEUTRAL. THE MECHANIC THEN MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS. HOWEVER, 2 DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING, THE GEAR SLIPPED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND THE SPEED DROPPED FROM 60 MPH TO 20 MPH. THE SERVICE CENTER STATED THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECT SWITCH SHORTED OUT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10269209

160,000 miles · May 5, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER MADE A U-TURN AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. HER VEHICLE TURNED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FRONTAL A…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER MADE A U-TURN AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. HER VEHICLE TURNED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FRONTAL AIR BAG LIGHTS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO AIR BAG FAILURE AT THAT TIME. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. GEORGIA STATE CARROLL COUNTY POLICE REPORT NUMBER 04-1122-09 WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NECK AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FRACTURES TO THE LOWER BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10267779

40,000 miles · Apr 28, 2009
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WOULD REV LOUDLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT ALLOWING ANY GAS TO ENTER THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO RUN AT TI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WOULD REV LOUDLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT ALLOWING ANY GAS TO ENTER THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO RUN AT TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT SHE SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 05/15/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 05/18/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10267069

42,000 miles · Apr 6, 2009
Power Train

FUNNY HOW AFTER THE SERVICE WARRANTY WENT OUT ON THE CAR SO DID THE TRANSMISSION..TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT COST ME TO HAVE A SWITCH REPLACED ON THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AS SUZUKI STATED THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY....EXACTLY 6 WEEKS LATER THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT ON THE CAR I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND…

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FUNNY HOW AFTER THE SERVICE WARRANTY WENT OUT ON THE CAR SO DID THE TRANSMISSION..TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT COST ME TO HAVE A SWITCH REPLACED ON THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AS SUZUKI STATED THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY....EXACTLY 6 WEEKS LATER THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT ON THE CAR I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE SHAFT WALKED OUT OF THE PUMP...IMAGINE THAT...MY THINKING WAS DOES IT HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN TO JUST WALK OUT. I STARTED DOING RESEARCH ON THE FORENZA AND TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND OUT THAT THE FORENZA IS NOT ACTUALLY A SUZUKI, IT IS DAEWOO WITH THE SUZUKI NAME...FUNNY HOW THAT WAS NEVER MENTIONED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, HAD I KNOWN BEFOREHAND THAT I WAS PURCHASING A DAEWOO I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THE CAR. TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED IT IS COSTING ME $1000. AS I DID FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE CAR IT SEEMS THAT THE CEO OF SUZUKI IS AWARE THAT THE GM DAEWOO WAS SUCH A HORRIBLE BUY HOWEVER THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO COMPENSATE ANY CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASED THE FORENZA, THEY HAVE JUST DECIDED IN 2009 THEY WILL NO LONGER MAKE THE FORENZA. I CHECKED THE BLUE BOOK VALUE FOR THE CAR THAT I PURCHASED IN 2006 AND IT IS WORTH 2300, MEANWHILE I STILL OWE 11000 ON THE CAR. IN ADDITION THE POWERSTEERING PUMP IS ON BACK ORDER, THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO OFFER ME A LOANER BECAUSE I AM OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AND I HAVE NO MEANS OF GETTING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. AS I LOOK THROUGH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS FILED ON THIS WEBSITE I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO WAS/DID HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I DID WITH THE TRANSMISSION, DOOR HANDLES (WHICH I ALSO REPLACED MYSELF) AND THE POWERTRAIN. I WILL BE FILING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST SUZUKI FOR THEIR FAILURE TO ADVISE ME BEFOREHAND THAT I WAS PURCHASING A DAEWOO (ANOTHER PIECE OF '!@#$% CAR). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264285

30 miles · Mar 17, 2009
SuspensionTires

MY CAR WAS NEW WHEN I PURCHASED IT. WHEN I DROVE AT 60 MPH OR MORE THE CAR WOULD START VIBRATING. I HAVE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THEY HAVE SAID LOW TIRE PRESSURE. THEY HAVE SAID THE RIM MIGHT BE BENT. THEY HAVE THE TIRES MAY NEED BALANCING. THEY HAVE SAID THE FRONT END MIGHT NEED…

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MY CAR WAS NEW WHEN I PURCHASED IT. WHEN I DROVE AT 60 MPH OR MORE THE CAR WOULD START VIBRATING. I HAVE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THEY HAVE SAID LOW TIRE PRESSURE. THEY HAVE SAID THE RIM MIGHT BE BENT. THEY HAVE THE TIRES MAY NEED BALANCING. THEY HAVE SAID THE FRONT END MIGHT NEED TO BE LINED UP. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THIS CAR WAS NEW AND I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262093

22,000 miles · Feb 24, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON THE 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA ARE MADE OF CHEAP PLASTIC AND DEFECTIVE. THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF AND THEN THE ONE ON THE BACK DOOR BROKE OFF. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A DEALER FOR THE SEAT BELT RECALL AND WAS NEVER ADVISE AT THAT TIME THEY COULD REPLACE THE HANDLES IF I WAS STILL WITHIN MY MILEAGE FOR MY WARRA…

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THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON THE 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA ARE MADE OF CHEAP PLASTIC AND DEFECTIVE. THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF AND THEN THE ONE ON THE BACK DOOR BROKE OFF. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A DEALER FOR THE SEAT BELT RECALL AND WAS NEVER ADVISE AT THAT TIME THEY COULD REPLACE THE HANDLES IF I WAS STILL WITHIN MY MILEAGE FOR MY WARRANTY WHICH AT THE TIME I WAS. ANOTHER SUZUKI OWNER HAD THE SAME ISSUE SO WE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED YES WE'RE AWARE OF THAT PROBLEM BUT CAN ONLY REPLACE THEM FOR FREE IF YOU VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY!! IF NOT THERE IS A $50.00 LABOR CHARGE PER DOOR PLUS THE HANDLE COST. SUZUKI HASN'T LISTED THIS ISSUE AS A RECALL. UPON DOING MORE RESEARCH I FOUND A WEBSITE WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN REFERENCE TO THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES BREAKING OFF. NOW ON THE 2007 SUZUKI FORENZA THEY USE CHROME HANDLES.. HMMM WONDER WHY? I FEEL CHEATED, IF SUZUKI IS AWARE THAT THIS COULD CAUSE SOMEONE HARM IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND THE CONSUMER HAS TO ROLL DOWN THERE WINDOW TO OPEN THE DOOR COULDN'T THAT BE A POTENTIAL LAW SUIT? I'M IN HOPES SOMEONE OF AUTHORITY CAN LOOK INTO THIS AND HAVE THIS LISTED AS A RECALL, IT IS UNFAIR TO ALL WHO OWN A 2006 FORENZA TO HAVE TO PAY FOR A MISTAKE THEY MADE TRYING TO CUT COST ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259838

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.