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2005 Suzuki Forenza Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 156 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Suzuki Forenza, most often about the air bags (30% of complaints, typically around 32,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Forenza model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2005 Suzuki Forenza problems
Air bags
46 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, on-off switch assembly, side/window.
June 2010 air bag defect -- I own a 2005 Suzuki Forenza wagon. In may 2010 I listed this vehicle for sale only to find (through a check up) that there was a faulty air bag on the passenger side front. At the time of this discovery the car had a little less than 32,000 miles. The dealership said that it would cost…
The contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to dealer for inspection and they stated that there was a connection error. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but they…
Electrical
38 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator, instrument cluster/panel.
After first purchasing the car, there were problems accelerating and then car failed. Power steering had to be fixed, timing belt replaced. A few months later speakers started to go in and out, radio lights come on and off, etc. In 2010 headlights failed. Being a broke college student I rode with my brights for almost…
Air bag light on since bought car in 2006. Wiring for airbags has been replaced once still an issue at owner expense. Outlet and lighter stop working year after car was bought. Headlight wiring replace twice and day lights still only comes on some times.
Lights
38 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, brake lights.
The contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. She had her vehicle repaired according to recall notice number 07v452000 (exterior lighting) in december 2009. While driving approximately 35 MPH at night, the head-lights failed without warning. She had to use the high beams to get home. She took the vehicle back to the…
Lowbeams failed after recall services performed and warranty expired. Fuses and relay system fine. Called Suzuki, informed there will be a diagnostic fee for this because the recall work had been performed already and car is out of warranty.
Transmission
30 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
My car has been properly maintained and has a little over 65,000 miles and the transmissions range sensor circuit has started malfunctioning.
The contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that there was a loud knocking noise coming from the transmission. In addition, the vehicle would decelerate independently when driving at 50 MPH and above. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis. The contact stated that…
Engine
25 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. While driving 60 MPH, the engine shook forcefully. The engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. It was diagnosed that the engine's oxygen sensor failed. The contact assumed the vehicle needed a tune up, so he had the tune up repair performed on the vehicle. The failure…
After first purchasing the car, there were problems accelerating and then car failed. Power steering had to be fixed, timing belt replaced. A few months later speakers started to go in and out, radio lights come on and off, etc. In 2010 headlights failed. Being a broke college student I rode with my brights for almost…
Steering
8 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist system.
Took the car in for the struts to be replaced because they were loose and letting the handle unsafely. The local dealer replaced them under warranty and the car drove better. Fast forward to march 2015, I carried the car in for a different warranty repair but wasn't told that the struts were loose again. I found this…
After first purchasing the car, there were problems accelerating and then car failed. Power steering had to be fixed, timing belt replaced. A few months later speakers started to go in and out, radio lights come on and off, etc. In 2010 headlights failed. Being a broke college student I rode with my brights for almost…
Speed control
6 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles.
I was driving my 2005 Suzuki Forenza uphill going 35 MPH when it suddenly stopped accelerating and sounded as though it had shifted into neutral. However, the car was still in drive. The check engine light also came on. Leading up to this incident, I experienced rough jolting when my car (which is an automatic) was…
After first purchasing the car, there were problems accelerating and then car failed. Power steering had to be fixed, timing belt replaced. A few months later speakers started to go in and out, radio lights come on and off, etc. In 2010 headlights failed. Being a broke college student I rode with my brights for almost…
Brakes
4 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
: the contact stated while traveling 10 MPH, a grinding noise was heard coming from the rear brakes. On 11/15/06, the service dealer was contacted, who determined that the vehicle needed to be brought in for inspection. The manufacturer was contacted who determined that the brakes were worn down by the contact. The…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Suzuki Forenza recalls
Lights: headlights
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: headlights
Risk: If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: exterior lighting
Risk: Inappropriate lighting could reduce visibility of vehicles and increase the potential for a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Headlight / drl malfunction
Summary
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 on 2005 forenzas, then expanded it to 2004-2005 forenzas (total of 58,448 vehicles). Suzuki broadened the recall scope to cover 2004-2006 forenzas & renos (93,963 vehicles).the wiring harness behind the instrument panel contains a splice pack to connect the power circuit wires for low-beam headlamps and daytime running lamps (drl).increased resistance due to poor contact between
Questions about the 2005 Suzuki Forenza
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Suzuki Forenza?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (46 complaints, typically around 32,000 miles); electrical (38 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles); lights (38 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Suzuki Forenza have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 19, 2014 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Suzuki Forenza?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Forenza model year since 2000, with 156 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.