Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Suzuki Forenza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. While driving 40 MPH, another vehicle ran the contact's vehicle off the road causing it to crash into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained lacerations to the face, a bruised rib, and a fractured cervical vertebrae which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 9/18/2017
On feb 3, 2007, I had a automobile accident. The accident resulted in my car being totaled. It had extensive front end damage, and the air bag sensors were exposed, but the airbags never deployed. I wasn't injured bad enough to seek medical attention, but could have been, as a result of the airbags not deploying. My insurance adjuster told me that there was no reason for the bags to not work, because the sensors were exposed, and I had hit many trees with the radiator resting on the motor. My adjuster gave me his name and number for contact if I needed for anyone to contact him. My car is now totaled, and I have no transportation, because the Suzuki company will not stand by their products. This is a safety feature, and should have been in working order, as it was a new car.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. One year ago, the contact noticed that the air bag sensors were disabled while passengers occupied the vehicle. One month later, while driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact was involved in a crash. The air bags failed to deploy. Two passengers were injured. An investigator from a loan inspector's office stated that the air bags failed because the vehicle was not traveling at enough speed. The contact took the vehicle to two local mechanics and both of them stated that the air bags should have deployed. The vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified and the air bag module has not been replaced. The current and failure mileages were 10,000.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. While driving approximately 45 MPH, another driver made a u-turn and crashed into the front passenger side door of the contact's vehicle. Her vehicle turned over several times and the side air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was previously taken to the dealer because the frontal air bag lights were malfunctioning. The dealer stated that there was no air bag failure at that time. The insurance company declared that the vehicle was destroyed. Georgia state carroll county police report number 04-1122-09 was filed. The passenger sustained a broken neck and the driver sustained fractures to the lower back. The manufacturer will be notified. The failure and current mileages were 160,000.
The fault conditions of this vehicle cause the air bag MIL to illuminate. Diagnosis verified a fault with the passenger oc mat/sensor and was replaced. The same fault conditions repeated with the same diagnosis of a faulty passenger oc mat/sensor and was replaced again. But even though the same part was replaced twice there remains a fault with the air bag system and diagnosis concludes that the same fault remains with the passenger oc mat/sensor. This seems to be a design/engineered and possible a software fault with the air bag system. No resolution has been achieved and concerns remain that the air bag May not deploy properly in the event of a vehicle crash. Please provide a written response to this complaint.
I have experienced two front end collisions to a Suzuki Forenza 2006. During both accidents the air bags did not deploy as designed to. The last accident on 5/5/11 ended in a total loss of the car due to a front end collision. The impact was such that the left front bumper and fender were damaged. This accident also buckled the hood of the vehicle and raised it at least 1.5 higher than normal. This will give you some idea of the force of the accident. Suzuki was not interested in checking the vehicle out until just recently. I feel that if the air bags did deploy, especially on this last accident I would not have sustained any injury what so ever.
On January 15, 2013, I was driving on the expressway. The vehicle in front of me slammed on their brakes unexpectedly to prevent hitting the vehicle in front of her, who had also slammed on their brakes. We were going approximately 55 MPH. I was unable to brake in time to prevent hitting the car in front of me. My vehicle was totaled as a result. My airbag did not deploy during this crash. I feel that an impact at that speed should have triggered the airbag. I was diagnosed with whiplash afterwards. I have pictures of the vehicle after the crash and the airbag intact.
I was about to make a left hand turn, my light was green, I proceeded into the intersection, then a car ran their red light, striking my left fender/front, buckled up my car, bumpers locked, had to be pulled apart! In this mva, none of the frontal/airbags deployed! There were 'four' people in my car, including me. All injured, all went to the hospital. And all seeking medical attention. I was shocked!! As well as the person in the other front seat. I hit the steering wheel, with my head...police on the scene, said to sue for air bags not deploying!
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. While driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle was involved in crash with another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver was reported injured and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. There was smoke seen coming from under the hood and the vehicle was towed to an independent repair facility. The vehicle was not examined for the cause of the air bag failure and was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 50,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. The contact drove through a red light at 40 MPH and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained head and back contusions and two other occupants were also injured. Medical attention was received and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000. ...updated 09-15-14
Airbag complaints in other Forenza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Suzuki Forenza?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Suzuki Forenza, 20% of the model year's 280 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Suzuki Forenza airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2006 Suzuki Forenza, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Suzuki Forenza airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 2 fires and 23 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.