NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Suzuki Forenza Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2005 Suzuki Forenza has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 156 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Suzuki dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Suzuki Forenza, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2005 Suzuki Forenza owner complaints

Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Suzuki Forenza, describing incidents dated November 25, 2004 to October 31, 2020.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 46 complaints
Electrical System 38 complaints
Exterior Lighting 38 complaints
Power Train 30 complaints
Engine 25 complaints
Steering 8 complaints

Of the 156 complaints on file, 5 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 156 complaints, owners report 9 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11394451 · Filed February 3, 2021
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…
ODI #11377716 · Filed December 3, 2020
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…
ODI #11354154 · Filed September 10, 2020
TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR MALFUNCTION. CAR WON'T ACCELERATE OR GO ABOVE 1ST GEAR. $160 TO REPLACE. KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.

Read all 156 complaints

Owner-reported

2005 Suzuki Forenza mileage at failure

124 of the 156 complaints on file for the 2005 Suzuki Forenza give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Air Bags	Median 30,000 miles	Middle half 13,000–70,000 miles	Based on 39 complaints
Exterior Lighting	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–110,000 miles	Based on 31 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 Suzuki Forenza in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE07-039: HEADLIGHT / DRL MALFUNCTION
Closed October 2, 2007
- Recall 07V-452

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Headlamp Switch or DRL Module Overheating

NHTSA #14V262000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported May 19, 2014 · Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 184,244 vehicles

Repair completion: 18.17% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Suzuki campaign XA · Owners notified October 29, 2014 · Vehicles built September 1, 2003 – July 30, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Loss of low/high beam headlamp function

NHTSA #12V397000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Interior/Under Dash · NHTSA notice

Reported August 14, 2012 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 101,688 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign NU · Owners notified September 25, 2012

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Suzuki's recall campaign number is NU.Customers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

HEADLIGHT/DRL MALFUNCTION

NHTSA #07V452000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported September 25, 2007 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 93,963 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign NB · Owners notified October 31, 2007 · Vehicles built September 23, 2003 – January 18, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

INAPPROPRIATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLES AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SUZUKI RECALL NO. NB.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2005 Suzuki Forenza 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

156 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Suzuki Forenza.

Power Train

ODI #11394451

Incident: October 31, 2020 · Filed: February 3, 2021

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.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11377716

Incident: May 25, 2020 · Filed: December 3, 2020

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

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11354154

Incident: September 8, 2020 · Filed: September 10, 2020

TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR MALFUNCTION. CAR WON'T ACCELERATE OR GO ABOVE 1ST GEAR. $160 TO REPLACE. KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.

Power Train; Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11204011

Incident: April 15, 2018 · Filed: April 26, 2019

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

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11130962

Incident: September 17, 2018 · Filed: September 24, 2018

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.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Engine

ODI #11084775

Incident: January 1, 2018 · Filed: April 12, 2018

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.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11078298

Incident: November 1, 2017 · Filed: March 9, 2018

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

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11074107

Fire

Incident: October 1, 2017 · Filed: February 21, 2018

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 FOR LIKE THE WIRING THAT GOT BURNT UP AND WHO PAYS TO GET IT TO ANOTHER TOWN TO GET FIXED? IF SOMEONE COULD LEAD ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION THAT WOULD BE GREAT I JUST REALLY THINK WE GOT SCREWED AND MY SON REALLY WANTS HIS CAR FIXED

Air Bags

ODI #10957502

Incident: September 1, 2016 · Filed: February 28, 2017

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.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10955089

Incident: February 16, 2017 · Filed: February 16, 2017

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.

Other Suzuki Forenza model years

Check your 2005 Suzuki Forenza VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Suzuki Forenza at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Suzuki VIN