Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2005 Suzuki Forenza, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags46
- Exterior lighting38
- Electrical system38
- Power train30
- Engine and engine cooling13
- Engine12
- Steering8
- Vehicle speed control6
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Electronic stability control (esc)3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 9 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 6 2005 Forenza vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 5 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2005 Suzuki Forenza failed the safety check 2.44% of the time — 6% more often than the average 2005 passenger car (2.30%). Median odometer at inspection: 88,655 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Suzuki told its dealers about the 2005 Suzuki Forenza: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10216558 | 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. |
| 10152052 | 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. |
| 10086741 | 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 ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR UNDER SPECIAL WARRANTY EXTENSION ZH; AND (2) THE PROCEDURE FOR INSPECTING THE SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTER FOR DAMAGE HAS BEEN CLARIFIED. |
| 10052515 | 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 |
| 10030107 | 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 |
| 10024197 | REQUIRED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION PROCEDURE. MY 2004-2008 FORENZ SEDAN/WAGON, RENO (RQ420). *NJ |
| 10024195 | AIRBAG LIGHT ON; DTC B1378 (DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG RESISTANCE TOO HIGH) AND/OR DTC B1382 (PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG RESISTANCE TOO HIGH). FORENZA, SEDAN/WAGON, RENO (RQ420) 2005-2006. VIN(S) -6K425022. *NJ |
| 10023878 | P0441 OR P0496 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM CONTINUOUS PURGE FLOW). *NJ |
| 10021296 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN WATER PUMP PULLEY INSPECTION. *KB |
| 10020472 | EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM CONTINUOUS PURGE FLOW. ECM SOFTWARE COULD CAUSE UNNECESSARY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. SUZUKI. *KB |
| 10019168 | PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSING SYSTEM. PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ON WHEN IF SHOULD BE OFF. *TT |
| 10019167 | PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSING SYSTEM. PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ON WHEN IF SHOULD BE OFF. *TT |
| 10018527 | DTC P0703 EXPLAINED. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DTC P0703 IS PRESENT. ALL FORENZA MODELS. SUZUKI. *TT |
| 10017456 | OIL LEAK FROM DRAIN PLUG. *TT |
| 10017060 | WIRE HARNESS INSULATION DAMAGE BEHIND THE LEFT FRONT FENDER LINER. *TT |
| 10016836 | VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A HIGH IDLE (2000+R.P.M.) FOR UP TO TEN SECONDS WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH THE CLUTCH RELEASED. *TT |
| 10016423 | HARSH 4TH TO 3RD AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFT AND UNWANTED P1884 DTC. 2004 SUZUKI RENO-RQ420 *SC |
| 10015902 | DRIVER DOOR LOCK TUMBLER FALLS INTO DOOR WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED. 2004-2005 SUZUKI FORENZA SEDAN/WAGON AND RENO-RQ420. *SC |
| 10015897 | NOISE FROM THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS. 2004-2005 SUZUKI/FORENZA SEDAN/WAGON AND RENO. *SC |
| 10014811 | DRIVER DOOR LOCK TUMBLER FALLS INTO DOOR WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED. *EH |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
HEADLIGHT / DRL MALFUNCTION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation