Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 152 | −18% | 1 | Transmission | Average |
| 2007 | 256 | 1.9× | 2 | Transmission | Caution |
| 2006 | 280 | 2.0× | 4 | Transmission | Caution |
| 2005 | 156 | −41% | 3 | Airbag | Good |
| 2004 | 63 | −75% | 5 | Headlight | Good |
* Complaints compared with the median Forenza year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Suzuki Forenza problems
Latest Suzuki Forenza recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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…
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.
Exterior lighting
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;.
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
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.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles, the brake light switch May become misadjusted if an upward/rearward force is applied to the brake pedal. If this should occur, the brake light switch will not function properly, causing the brake lights, including the high mounted stop lamp, to remain illuminated continuously without brake pedal…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on March 16, 2005. Owners May contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Suzuki Forenza should you avoid?
2006 and 2007 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Forenza years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2006.
What is the best year for the Suzuki Forenza?
2004 has the fewest complaints compared with other Forenza years at the same age, followed by 2005 and 2008. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Suzuki Forenza problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (360), electrical system (188) and air bags (177). Transmission complaints peak in the 2007 model year.
How many recalls has the Suzuki Forenza had?
6 recalls across 2004–2008. The model year with the most is 2004. See all Suzuki Forenza recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.