Model year record

2005 Suzuki Forenza recalls & problems

The 2005 Suzuki Forenza has 3 safety recalls and 156 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (47 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints156filed by owners

Crashes · fires5 · 7reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 19, 2014

Headlights

Recall 14V262000184,244 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 lightingAug 14, 2012

Headlights

Recall 12V397000101,688 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Exterior lighting › Headlights; Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash

Exterior lightingSep 25, 2007

Exterior lighting

Recall 07V45200093,963 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2005 Suzuki Forenza 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Forenza

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Forenza

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Forenza Wagon

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Forenza Wagon

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal › Sensor/control module; Frontal	47	5	1	8	31,828 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Brake lights	39	0	3	1	62,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring; Ignition	38	0	5	0	53,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	31	0	0	0	66,021 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system	14	0	0	1	30,000 mi
Engine	12	0	1	1	62,861 mi
SteeringColumn; Rack and pinion	8	0	2	0	48,853 mi
Vehicle speed control	6	0	0	0	57,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Caliper; Foundation components › Disc › Pads	5	1	0	1	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor; Windshield	3	0	0	0	35,000 mi
SuspensionFront	3	0	0	0	50,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	3	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train
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.
Oct 31, 2020 · 121,000 miles
Exterior lighting
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
May 25, 2020 · 180,000 miles
Engine
TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR MALFUNCTION. CAR WON'T ACCELERATE OR GO ABOVE 1ST GEAR. $160 TO REPLACE. KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.
Sep 8, 2020 · 50,802 miles
Engine
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
Apr 15, 2018
Exterior lighting
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.
Sep 17, 2018 · 100,000 miles
Engine
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.
Jan 1, 2018 · 33,000 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)
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
Nov 1, 2017
Electrical systemFire
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…
Oct 1, 2017 · 200,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

HEADLIGHT / DRL MALFUNCTIONClosedLed to recall 07V452000
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…
PE07039 · opened Jul 24, 2007 · closed Oct 2, 2007