2005 Suzuki FORENZA: complaints, problems and recalls

UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE; IF THE PASSENGER WAS NOT SEATED IN THE VEHICLE BEFORE STARTING THE AIR BAG SENSOR WILL NOT ENGAGE. IF THERE IS ANY SLIGHT MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT THE SENSOR WILL DISENGAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10113526 at NHTSA ↗

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL REMAIN OFF WHEN BEING OCCUPIED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY RUNNING. DEALER STATED THEY HAD NO SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10115416 at NHTSA ↗

DRIVER'S SEATBELT COMES UNSECURED BY ITSELF--HAS HAPPENED TWICE. HAVE ONLY HAD VEHICLE ABOUT TWO MONTHS. PURCHASED BRAND NEW.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10120598 at NHTSA ↗

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS OFF LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED EVEN IF PASSENGER WEIGHING OVER 100 POUNDS IS SEATED IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SENSOR WILL RESET IF PASSENGER GETS OUT AND CAR IS RESTARTED. DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND REFUSES TO FIX SEAT SENSOR.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10125014 at NHTSA ↗

DT: THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN OVER THE LAST 8-9 MONTHS FOR A METAL TO METAL SOUND IN THE SECONDARY BRAKING SYSTEM. DEALER SAID IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. THE CALIPERS ON THE SECONDARY BRAKING SYSTEM THAT OPERATESD THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE IN THE REAR. IF THE PADS DISLODGED IT WOULD CAUSE THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AROUND 10-15 TIMES. CONSUMER'S FATHER, STEVE HERMAN, HAS FILED THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER WHO WAS AWAY AT COLLEGE.*A…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10126035 at NHTSA ↗

DT: CALLER HAS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. CAR JERKS WITHOUT WARNING BECAUSE THE ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION LEARNING SOFTWARE IN THE COMPUTE IS DEFECTIVE. CALLER SAYS THE ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING IS AFFECTED BY THE COMPUTER PROBLEM, AND THE CAR HUNTS BETWEEN GEARS, AND THAT IS WHY IT JERKS. CALLER IS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS FAMILY BEING IN THIS CAR. DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NO FIX AT THIS TIME, DEALER WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. CALLER DID E-MAIL MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. *AK *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 992 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126450 at NHTSA ↗

DT: 2005 SUZUKIE FORENZA WAGON. WHILE ON A TRIP TO VIRIGINA IT WAS RAINING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORKED ON THEIR MINIMUM SPEED, AND THEIR MAXIMUM SPEED WAS NOT FAST ENOUGH TO BE EFFICIENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY COMPARED THE MAXIMUM WIPER SPEED OF TWO VEHICLES AND THEY WERE BOTH THE SAME. THE SALESMAN AGREED THAT THE SPEED WOULD NOT BE EFFICIENT FOR THE WINTERS. CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER . CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE. THE CONSUMER FILE A COMPLAINT TO…

Owner-reported narrative. 320 miles reported. Look up ODI 10133050 at NHTSA ↗

2005 SUZUKI FORENZA AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY.*MR THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AT TRYING TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG LIGHT PROBLEM. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133452 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2007-09-25 (September 25, 2007)

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.

Consequence: INAPPROPRIATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLES AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

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;. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

Reported: 2012-08-14 (August 14, 2012)

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 the headlamps. This can result in intermittent or total loss of low/high beam headlamp function.

Consequence: If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Reported: 2014-05-19 (May 19, 2014)

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. In the affected vehicles, heat may be generated in the headlamp switch or daytime running light (DRL) module which could melt the headlamp switch or the DRL module.

Consequence: If the heat generated within the headlamp switch or DRL module located on the left side of the steering column melts the headlamp switch or DRL module, there is an increased risk of a fire.

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. The recall began October 29, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is XA.