The 2005 Suzuki Forenza has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 379,895 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the exterior lighting. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
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.
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…
Consequence
If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
Consequence
INAPPROPRIATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLES AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
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.
Complaints by component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
32
3fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
28
4fires
AIR BAGS
26
2crashes1fires2injuries
POWER TRAIN
16
ENGINE
12
1fires1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
12
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
10
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
8
2crashes4injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
6
1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
Total complaints223
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“Transmission range sensor malfunction. Car won't accelerate or go above 1st gear. $160 to replace. Known issue with this vehicle.”
“Transmission range sensor malfunction. Car won't accelerate or go above 1st gear. $160 to replace. Known issue with this vehicle.”
“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…”
“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…”
“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, [REDACTED]) for repairs. After the repair, the…”
“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, [REDACTED]) for repairs. After the repair, the…”
“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, [REDACTED]) for repairs. After the repair, the…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE07039 Opened 2007-07-24 · closed 2007-10-02
HEADLIGHT / DRL MALFUNCTION
ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2007, SUZUKI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL RECALL MODEL YEARS 2004 -2006 FORENZA AND RENO VEHICLES TO CORRECT A DEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF HEADLIGHT AND/OR DRL FUNCTION.THIS RECALL AFFECTS 93,963 VEHICLES.NHTSA ASSIGNED NUMBER 07V-452 FOR THIS RECALL.NHTSA'S INVESTIGATION INITIALLY FOCUSED…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2005 Suzuki Forenza as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.