Model year record

2006 Suzuki Forenza recalls & problems

The 2006 Suzuki Forenza has 4 safety recalls and 280 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (118 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints280filed by owners

Crashes · fires19 · 8reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths30 · 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.

Seat beltsJul 24, 2007

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 07V31500075,697 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

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

2006 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

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Forenza

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Forenza Wagon

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Forenza Wagon

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/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*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)	118	2	0	1	60,190 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Ignition	58	1	5	1	70,500 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	57	14	2	23	40,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	29	1	0	0	69,250 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Emission control	28	1	0	1	9,000 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights	22	0	1	0	76,000 mi
SuspensionRear; Front	15	0	0	0	11,402 mi
Engine	15	0	0	0	92,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Hood › Latch	12	0	0	1	34,000 mi
Unknown or other	11	1	0	1	39,000 mi
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Integrated child seat	11	3	0	2	56,500 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body	10	1	1	1	40,000 mi

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

Recent owner complaints

Seat beltsCrash1 injury
ON MARCH 6TH 2018 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A VOLKSWAGEN GTI I WAS SITTING IN THE LEFT TURN LANE IN THE INTERSECTION WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR SO I COULD PROCEED WHEN I DID I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES PER HOUR ON A CITY STREET WHEN A RED LIGHT RUNNER OF COURSE RAN THE RED LIGHT AND PLOWED INTO ME GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES AN HOUR . ON IMPACT THE SEATBELT FAILED TO DO WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. INSTEAD IT IMMEDIATELY UNLATCHED WHICH IN TURN CAUSED ME TO BE THROWN INTO THE PASSENGER DOOR, THE DASH AND THE BACK SEAT.
Mar 6, 2019 · 82,000 miles
Electrical system
IBA EN MI VEHICULO ANDANDO DE NOCHE CON LAS LUCES PRENDIDAS Y DERREPENTE SE PRENDIERON LAS LUCES ALTAS SIN QUE YO HCIERA NADA DESDE ESE MOMENTO PARECIERA QUE HICIERA UN CORTO LA LUZ Y SE PONEN ALTAS Y VUELVEN NORMAL MIENTRAS VOY CONDUCIENDO ADICIONAL LA PARTE DEL TABLERO SE ESTA RECALENTANDO MUCHO NO SE SI ES POR LA MISMA RAZON
Feb 1, 2019
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Nov 2, 2018 · 120,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
WHILE DRIVING THE CARS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL SHOW UP. I LOSE ALL CONTROL OF SPEED EVEN WHILE PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL IN. THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN CONTROL IS TO CYCLE THE KEY MULTIPLE TIMES AND LET IT IDLE IN NEUTRAL FOR FIVE MINUTES. AFTER I REGAIN CONTROL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON, AND THE CAR WILL JUMP REVOLUTIONS RANDOMLY. THIS WILL OCCUR ON BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT DOESN'T ACT UP UNLESS I'M IN MOTION DRIVING. IT WILL REV I'N REVOLUTIONS WHILE I'M DRIVING OR AT A STOP.
Apr 16, 2017 · 86,000 miles
Exterior lighting
THE VEHICLE IS UNDER A RECALL CAMPAIGN (XA-XC) FOR DRL MODULE/IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT. THE OWNER IS PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE PERFORMED (HE IS PROHIBITED BY HIS PHYSICIAN TO DRIVE SUCH LONG DISTANCES). SUZUKI WILL NOT ALLOW ANY OTHER FACILITY, NO MATTER HOW WELL QUALIFIED, TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. SUZUKI OFFERS NO SOLUTION - LIKE OFFERING TO TOW THE VEHICLE - ASIDE FROM AN OFFER TO REIMBURSE FOR FUEL. I AM A NEIGHBOR AND CAN ATTEST TO THE OWNER'S PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS (HE HAD A STROKE). HE IS ALSO ELDERLY AND FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY - SO HIS COMPREHENSION OF THE ISSUE IS LIMITED. HE'S WORRIED THE CAR ISN'T RELIABLE ENOUGH FOR HIS…
Dec 12, 2017
Air bags
I STARTED MY CAR AND A FEW SECONDS LATER THE AIRBAG IN THE DRIVER SEAT WENT OFF AND THE AIRBAG HIT ME. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY.
Aug 9, 2017 · 98,900 miles
Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Mar 1, 2016 · 36,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LIGHT FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEAD LAMP BUT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V397000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mar 1, 2017

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