2006 Suzuki Forenza: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 280 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (33% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 model years look 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 280 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2019
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2017
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2016
“One of my children was buckled in the back passenger seat. My child tightened his seat belt, and the buckle detached from the fabric. This is very unsafe, my car has almost 57k on it. There is no reason for this to happen and is a huge safety concern that should be corrected asap! This situation could have been way worse! Thank god I was not driving or in a accident!”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that the low beam, high beam, and day time running lights became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the multi-function light switch needed to be replaced. The contact was not notified of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v262000 (exterior lighting) and 12v397000 (electrical system, exterior lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 19 of these complaints and injuries in 30 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
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.
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.
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 2006 Suzuki Forenza reliable?
NHTSA has 280 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Suzuki Forenza. The most complained-about area is power train (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Suzuki Forenza problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Suzuki Forenza have open recalls?
4 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.