Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated while driving, both of the head lights failed to function. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic who stated the wires were burned and he needed to take the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the VIN was not included in recall NHTSA campaign id number: 07V452000, exterior lighting. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Takata recall: and, defective fuel propulsion as the car reves up some times when going and shuts off by itself when traveling causing a dangerous situation. 2). Campaign id.# 14 v262000 and 3.)12V397000 . I have tried to contact the company but I keep getting a message that I called out of service time and to leave a message. Only to get a automated message that says the system isn't working. I do realize that there are other issues with this product car, like the Takata air bags.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. While driving at night, the headlights and instrument panel lighting failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the headlights and instrument panel lighting needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that the headlights and high beam headlights shorted intermittently. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had been previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 14V262000 (exterior lighting) however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Slips out of gear while driving, car stalls and cuts off during driving, only cranks up in neutral,air bag light stays on, check engine light go off after a repair then lights back up. Its frustrating to have to call road side assistance for a battery charge frequently when battery loses charge for no apparent reason.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that the driver and passenger side headlights were not functioning properly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.
I purchased my 2006 Forenza on June 15, 2006. I had a no start problem at first but the was corrected. In March of this year, my headlight and high beams completely failed. I took it to a Suzuki dealer and had the wiring harness replaced, costing me $118.00 because my warranty had expired and there was no recall issued for that particular failure. Although the service manager stated that it was a known problem. Now my car, like many other 2006 forenzas, has a failure with a transmission sensor. I called the dealership, and was told again that it has a common and well known problem, and I do still have a powertrain warranty, but as the sensor is on the transmission and not in the transmission it is not covered under warranty and I will have to pay $235.00 to have it replaced. I am livid right now! …
The vehicle is under a recall campaign (xa-xc) for drl module/ignition switch replacement. The owner is physically unable to get the vehicle to the nearest dealership for the repairs to be performed (he is prohibited by his physician to drive such long distances). Suzuki will not allow any other facility, no matter how well qualified, to perform the repairs. Suzuki offers no solution - like offering to tow the vehicle - aside from an offer to reimburse for fuel. I am a neighbor and can attest to the owner's physical limitations (he had a stroke). He is also elderly and from another country - so his comprehension of the issue is limited. He's worried the car isn't reliable enough for his daily trips to his doctor and voiced worry about his options to get it fixed. …
Driving down interstate had smell coming from the dash like melting wires. Dash high/low beams stopped working, luckily daytime running worked but not good enough to see well at night periodically they will come back on for a few then cut back off. Most often they do not come back on at all and doesn't stay on long..afraid of fire or if working going out while driving and wrecking with my kids in the car. We purchased this car last year from a used car dealership and it was fixed under the recall or 07 in jan 2008, called dealerships and Suzuki and they are telling me even though there is a new recall out for the same thing.. For 2004-2006 forenzas manufactured between the dates of sept 2003 and March 2006 that my car that was manufactured 11/2005 doesn't fall under the recall? Just need to know what to do since its obviously a manufacturer defect. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that he experienced several electrical failures with the windows opening independently, failed headlights, flickering instrument panel lights and a failed battery. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where it was diagnosed. The mechanic advised the contact that the electrical failures caused the battery to fail. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact that the warranty was expired therefore; he would be responsible for the diagnosis and repair costs. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer previously for the failures and the dealer cleared the computer codes but the failures persisted. The failure mileage was 15,000 and the current mileage was 66,401. Updated 01/11/2011
Related 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;.
Headlight complaints in other Forenza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2006 Suzuki Forenza?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the lights of the 2006 Suzuki Forenza, 8% of the model year's 280 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Suzuki Forenza headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-262 (headlights, May 19, 2014); NHTSA recall 12V-397 (headlights, Aug 14, 2012); NHTSA recall 07V-452 (exterior lighting, Sep 25, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Suzuki Forenza headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.