NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Suzuki Forenza Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2006 Suzuki Forenza has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 280 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 2006 Suzuki Forenza, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 Suzuki Forenza owner complaints

Owners have filed 280 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Suzuki Forenza, describing incidents dated October 30, 2005 to March 6, 2019.

Most-cited components

Power Train 116 complaints
Electrical System 57 complaints
Air Bags 56 complaints
Engine 42 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 29 complaints
Exterior Lighting 21 complaints

Of the 280 complaints on file, 19 report a crash and 8 a fire; across all 280 complaints, owners report 30 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11186946 · Filed March 14, 2019
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…
ODI #11176099 · Filed February 10, 2019
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…
ODI #11151485 · Filed November 14, 2018
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…

Read all 280 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 Suzuki Forenza mileage at failure

238 of the 280 complaints on file for the 2006 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
Power Train	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–90,000 miles	Based on 101 complaints
Electrical System	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 30,000–105,000 miles	Based on 43 complaints
Air Bags	Median 40,000 miles	Middle half 12,000–80,000 miles	Based on 49 complaints
Engine	Median 45,000 miles	Middle half 2,000–70,000 miles	Based on 36 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

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.

FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

NHTSA #07V315000 · Seat Belts — Front — Buckle Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported July 24, 2007 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 75,697 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign KY · Owners notified August 31, 2007 · Vehicles built May 6, 2005 – December 20, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SUZUKI RECALL NO. KY.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.

2006 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

280 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Suzuki Forenza.

Seat Belts

ODI #11186946

Crash 1 injury

Incident: March 6, 2019 · Filed: March 14, 2019

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.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11176099

Incident: February 1, 2019 · Filed: February 10, 2019

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

Exterior Lighting; Electrical System

ODI #11151485

Incident: November 2, 2018 · Filed: November 14, 2018

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.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11096941

Incident: April 16, 2017 · Filed: May 20, 2018

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.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11054220

Incident: December 12, 2017 · Filed: December 12, 2017

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 DAILY TRIPS TO HIS DOCTOR AND VOICED WORRY ABOUT HIS OPTIONS TO GET IT FIXED. IT IS MY HOPE THE INTERVENTION OF SOMEONE FROM THE NHTSA MIGHT SWAY SUZUKI TO OFFER A VARIANCE FROM THEIR POLICY - SO THEY WOULD OFFER TO TRANSPORT THE VEHICLE TO AND FROM THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE COMPLETED (SINCE I WAS TOLD A DEALER MUST BE THE ONES PERFORMING THE REPAIR).

Air Bags

ODI #11014858

Incident: August 9, 2017 · Filed: August 12, 2017

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.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10980912

Incident: March 1, 2016 · Filed: April 26, 2017

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.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #10967935

Incident: March 1, 2017 · Filed: March 23, 2017

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.

Air Bags

ODI #10956021

1 injury

Incident: February 17, 2017 · Filed: February 21, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING TO THE RIGHT ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 113,164.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10920445

Incident: October 15, 2016 · Filed: November 1, 2016

TAKATA RECALL: AND, DEFECTIVE FUEL PROPULSION AS THE CAR REVES UP SOME TIMES WHEN GOING AND SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF WHEN TRAVELING CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. 2). CAMPAIGN ID.# 14 V262000 AND 3.)12V397000 . I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THE COMPANY BUT I KEEP GETTING A MESSAGE THAT I CALLED OUT OF SERVICE TIME AND TO LEAVE A MESSAGE. ONLY TO GET A AUTOMATED MESSAGE THAT SAYS THE SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING. I DO REALIZE THAT THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS PRODUCT CAR, LIKE THE TAKATA AIR BAGS.

Other Suzuki Forenza model years

Check your 2006 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.

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