Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The car daytime running light module(drl module) burned and melted, lights were not working properly, the emergency brake light remained on, the dashboard, car had a burned smell so strong that I had to detail it and it did not go(the strong burning odor) away after 2 weeks. I took my car to the shop and repaired the problem out of my pocket(drl module). I sent all the proper documentation to Suzuki motor of America cust svc department p.o. Box 1100 brea, ca 92822-1100, including the receipt of the repair, a copy of my driver license, copy of the registration, copy of the title of the vehicle(all documentation that they asked for in the safety recall notice), case and point they do not want to reimburse me, they are giving me a hard time, please help me because Suzuki motor of America is going to find any excuse not to pay me back, because of this irresponsible behavior towards …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. While driving 25 MPH, the contact noticed smoke and flames coming out the dashboard on the driver's side of the vehicle while the daytime running lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and turned off. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries. An unknown dealer stated that the daytime running light module caught on fire and needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the vehicle was repaired, but the contact thought otherwise. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,121. The vine was not available.
I had received a safety recall on a fire hazard with the lightening after I kept smelling plastic burning every time it rained...I then noticed it was because I had the lights on all the time. I have called Suzuki to no avail to have a local procured to do recall repair due to the closet approved vendor being 2 hours away in traffic and the length of repair taking most of their day plus return trip. We would have to spend night in a hotel. My mechanic even called them and said they would do the repairs in chantilly, va. And Suzuki refused saying it would only take me 20 minutes to drive to wheaton md???????? I am in bristow, va. I asked that they have the vehicle towed and fixed and brought back to me then and they refuse every suggestion. This is by far a huge inconvenience and wear and tear on my vehicle. …
After my daytime running lights stayed on all night, my battery died and I had to have the engine jumped. I went along with my day, parked my car at the bus lot and went to work. After returning to the car, I smelled smoke. When I tried to pop my hood, I noticed the interior paneling under my steering wheel was black and melted. The hood would not pop open because the release lever was also melted. There was smoke damage on my windshield near the air/defrost vents and on anything sitting in my car. Lucky for me, I was not in the car when the fire occurred and it was in a parking lot where no one was around to get injured. After having the transmission sensor replaced on the car 4 times before they replaced the entire transmission, I've realized there were electrical problems with this car long before the fire occurred. …
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.
Not sure if you can tell us what to do but we bout a 2005 Suzuki Forenza last April for our 18 year old for graduation and we only bout it for $1200 and was never told about a recall at all. Long story short my son was about to leave one night and within a matter of minutes of him leaving he runs in the house yelling his car is on fire so we ran out put the fire out and then looked it up and found a recall on the part that caught fire. Headlamp switch drl module. Thanks god he was not driving down the street or the other cars or house caught fire. So after I put in the ven number and find this info within a week we received a recall letter from Suzuki. Now my question is will this get paid for like the wiring that got burnt up and who pays to get it to another town to get fixed? …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. While driving approximately 35 MPH, there was burning odor emitting from the vehicle. The contact noticed smoke under the hood, the headlights, and the floorboard without warning. The contact pulled over and discovered that the vehicle caught fire. The contact sustained a burn on the right leg that required medical attention. There was no incident report filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V262000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was 119,115.
Related recalls (4)
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;.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Headlight / drl malfunction
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).
Frequently asked questions
Which Suzuki Forenza years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (38), 2006 (22), 2007 (18), 2004 (16) and 2008 (10) model years. Headlight complaints make up 24% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Suzuki Forenza headlight problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 14V-262 (headlights, May 19, 2014); 12V-397 (headlights, Aug 14, 2012); 07V-452 (exterior lighting, Sep 25, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Suzuki Forenza headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (7 mentions), followed by the brake lights (3).
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.