Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Vehicle sporadically stalls while driving, not a stop light or sign but while the car is actively being driven and the accelerator is depressed. Most recently it has begun to rev up between 4,000 and 5,000 RPM. When this happens, I put the car in neutral to try to get it back to normal. 2 days ago when this happened it caused me to hit a pot hole hard enough to break my driver side ball joint and lower control arm. I see recalls for other, same year model suzukis that experienced this same issue. I don't think I should have to pay to repair a known mechanical defect. There is also an NHTSA id describing this issue as well. It is extremely scary to have the car reving that high and trying to control it. I am thankful that I only hit a pot hole and not another vehicle or worse.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. While driving 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the throttle body sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,800.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start until after repeated attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed that the engine overheated and caused internal damage to the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
When putting the car in gear in either reverse or drive, there is a loud thunk and jumping feeling. There will also be an 'x' on the instrument panel next to the 'd' for drive on the shift selector. I have researched what the problem could be and it is the the range transmission sensor, it appears after researching this is a very chronic problem in the Suzuki Forenza.
Steering wheel malfunction - loss of vehicle control and drove off the road manufacturer and car dealership did not help multiple other defects, including engine stalling/gears "sticking" - please refer details in letter to be sent to your office by mail.
I bought my 2006 Suzuki Forenza brand new. The engine gave out on me in 2009. I replaced the engine once. Additional to the engine problems, one day while exiting from a major highway, the car just stopped going about 45 MPH and started going about 10 MPH, while a noticeable flashing square with a blinking line comes up on the gear indicator, on the dash. I almost caused an accident. I was told it was the transmission range sensor which I've now replaced two times. Note: brand new transmission range sensors were placed and still have the same issue. When I put it from park to drive (gear), the motor jerks and feels like the motor's going to fall off. The catalytic converter has also failed to pass inspection. The A/C gave out about 2 years from the time I bought it (brand new car). It's not a reliable car, at all. Once I fix something, something else breaks. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. The contact noticed that the tranmission shifted eratically since purchasing it in January 2008. He first. While driving on approximately 55-60 MPH, the vehicle slowed down, sped up, lunged forward and shifted into gear without warning. There was also a roaring noise on the front end of the vehicle, a clicking sound near the dashboard, and every light turned off except the check engine light. The radio and air conditioner intermittently turned off and after five minutes, they both began operating normally. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure; however, the manufacturer would not authorize the dealer to inspect or repair the vehicle. …
When I first brought the car on 1/30/2006, it started giving me problems,such as not starting up, the engine light on and off all the time. The emergency brake light on constantly. The power windows rolling up and down by themselves. The power locks stop working and then work over and over again. When I'm driving, the car jerks and pulls all the time. (the pulling is coming from the transmission). I am a single mother of two and I feel real bad about getting stuck with a lemon. After I get out of school I take classes at night and my kids go to the daycare on campus when I picked them up after class, got in the car, started it up, and the front two windows rolled down by themselves, and would not roll up and it was snowing and we had to ride all the way home like that. The dealership doesn't care. As far as they are concerned, it is not their problem. …
The check trans/motor light came on in my car .I made an appt. At Suzuki. It was on for 6 days. It went off, then the air bag light came on. It stayed on. I mentioned that there were loose wires hanging under my seat when I dropped it off. They said a wire came loose and that I should not put anything under my seat .I say that the wires are so loose that if someone put there feet under the seat, there feet could get caught up in the wires and unhook them. Then my airbags won't work, correct? .if I get in an accident and they don't work, would that be considered unsafe? The dealer said the wires had to be loose because the seat moves and that nobody could get there feet caught in the wires. Loose wires under a seat that control a safety device.. Sounds unsafe to me..I took it in for the passenger side airbags right after I bought it.. …
Rough idling problems / no start problems after owning new 2006 Suzuki Forenza three days. First time happened at gas station. Took four attempts to get car running . Happened intermittently. Took car to dealership. Replaced spark plug and installed new computer. Same problems occurred two days later. Have had newer problems occur. Car on four occasions has almost died while driving, warning lights coming on when they shouldn't. I contacted manufacturer about the rough idle/no start problem. Am in process with them now to try to get a refund. Problem is thought to be with software glitch downloading improper fuel data into cars computer. Rep from manufacturer said software downloaded usage of summer fuel rather than winter which is why I have had the problem with intermittent rough idle , no start, car trying to die while driving. …
Engine complaints in other Forenza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Suzuki Forenza?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Suzuki Forenza, 15% of the model year's 280 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Suzuki Forenza engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.