2005 Suzuki Forenza: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 156 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (26% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 156 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2020
“Transmission range sensor malfunction. Car won't accelerate or go above 1st gear. $160 to replace. Known issue with this vehicle.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2018
“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”Owner report · Engine · Apr 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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 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”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Nov 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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2017
“I have 2 suzuki forenzas of this model year. One had a recall on the daytime running lights (xa recall). One of the symptoms was the headlights going out while driving at night. Finally had it done (had to drive 2 plus hours to find a dealer who could do this because of it's orphan status). Now the second forenza has the same thing happening yet somehow it's not a part of this recall......this seems to be a mistake and I am stating that other vehicles than the original group are affected by this problem. Problem happens while driving with the regular headlights on. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Forenza by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Suzuki Forenza reliable?
NHTSA has 156 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Suzuki Forenza. The most complained-about area is air bags (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Suzuki Forenza problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Suzuki Forenza have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.