2005 Suzuki Forenza problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (27) · Air Bags (21) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (12)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Suzuki Forenza model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
124 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2014-05-19 · campaign 14V262000 · 184,244 vehicles
Defect: 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 Lighting:headlights 2012-08-14 · campaign 12V397000 · 101,688 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (20)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Suspension 2022-07-08 · SUZ_016008 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.
Suspension 2018-11-20 · N-Q-G-045 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin was sent by suzuki motor corporation to its authorized suzuki automobile distributors in the u.s., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.
Seats 2016-05-18 · SUZ_013175 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin updates a bulletin originally issued on may 18, 2016, concerning a special warranty extension (zh) for 2005-2008 suzuki forenza and suzuki reno vehicles. the updates are: (1) the existence of diagnostic trouble code (dtc) b1379 is added to the list of dtcs that make a vehicle
Engine 2013-08-08 · TS-30-06263 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suzuki: suzuki has replacement oil pumps that have a threaded plug. the threaded proves to be difficult to remove without causing damage to the new oil pump. this bulletin provides procedures when replacing the old oil pump. *js
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift 2009-08-01 · TS-09-03129R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suzuki vehicles: automatic transmission shift lever is loose in the shift gate and/or ignition key cannot be removed. the transmission gear shift lever does not hold firmly to the left of the shift gage as expected. *pe
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2008-01-01 · TS0601238 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
required automatic transmission control module initialization procedure. my 2004-2008 forenz sedan/wagon, reno (rq420). *nj
Showing the 6 most recent of 20 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-02-03 · Power Train · 121,000 mi“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 de…”
2020-12-03 · Exterior Lighting · 180,000 mi“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…”
2020-09-10 · Vehicle Speed Control · 50,802 mi“transmission range sensor malfunction. car won't accelerate or go above 1st gear. $160 to replace. known issue with this vehicle.…”
2019-04-26 · Power Train“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 i…”
2018-09-24 · Exterior Lighting · 100,000 mi“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 10…”
2018-04-12 · Exterior Lighting · 33,000 mi“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 fa…”
2018-03-09 · Exterior Lighting“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 ra…”
2018-02-21 · Exterior Lighting · 200,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 ou…”
2017-02-28 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2005 suzuki forenza. the passenger side air bag indicator remained illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was not provided.…”
2017-02-16 · Exterior Lighting · 140,000 mi“i filed a complaint last week number 10949103 but due to the nhtsa recall website problems was not able to see that there is a recall on my problem. so i will be taking it in for the 3 recalls on this car.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.