2006 Suzuki FORENZA: complaints, problems and recalls

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS:ON AND OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. A LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT WORKING. THE AIR BAG WILL TURNOFF WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED AT A DEALERSHIP. THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE SWITCH WERE ON ORDER. ALSO CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143463 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE PURCHASED A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. AS A CERTIFIED CRIME PREVENTION INSPECTOR, I HAVE DISCOVERED FEATURES OF THIS VEHICLE THAT WILL PROVE TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ANY DRIVER/OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE DO NO OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE CONTROLS ALL LOCKING DEVICES ON HIS/HER SIDE. AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THAT THE PASSENGER IF THE VEHICLE CANNOT OPEN HIS/HER DOOR IF IT IS LOCKED. THE DRIVER HAS TO OPEN THE DOOR. IN THE EVENT THAT THE DRIVER IS INCAPACITATED THE PASSENGER WOULD HAVE EXTREME DIFFICULTY …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10148263 at NHTSA ↗

5 WEEKS INTO THE PURCHASE OF MY 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA IT MADE A LOUD NOISE SIMILAR TO A BAD EXHAUST. THEN IT STARTED TO STALL WHILE I WAS STOPPED. IT WOULD STALL DURING THE FIRST 10-15 MINUTES OF DRIVING THEN WOULD BE FINE. ON THE THIRD TIME IN SERVICE THEY DECIDED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE, FOR 2 WEEKS. SO FAR THE STALLING HAS NOT OCCURRED BUT THE NOISE HAS COME BACK. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10150936 at NHTSA ↗

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA STATION WAGON, ON FEBRUARY 25, 2006 I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHICH SOMEONE RAN INTO MY CAR AND I CRASHED THE CAR/THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I THINK THERE IS A DEFECT IN MY BRAND NEW CAR. I THINK THE AIR BAGS OR AT LEAST THE ONE ON THE DRIVER SIDE SHOULD OF DEPLOYED- THAT IS MY COMPLAINT. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10153348 at NHTSA ↗

NOT EVEN A FULL MONTH AFTER PURCHASING A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA SEDAN, THE CAR DOESN'T START AFTER SITTING JUST OVERNIGHT FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS THAT I'VE OWNED IT. WHEN I CALLED KEYSTONE MOTORS IN MONTGOMERVILLE, PA, THE MANAGER WAS SMUG AND UNPROFESSIONAL. AND EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE A J.D. POWERS ASSOCIATE WINNER, HE SAID HE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT J.D. POWERS. THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THE CAR, BUT I TOLD THEM IF JUST ONE MORE THING GOES WRONG, I WILL BE TRADING FOR A CAR THAT RUNS. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10156848 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN THE MORNING WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING PRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM BUT BELIEVED IT MAY HAVE BEEN A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT WAS AGGRAVATED BY THE CLIMATE UPDATED 6/16/2006 - THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR BACK ND GAVE THE CONSUMER FULL CREDIT TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 720 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158783 at NHTSA ↗

CAR WILL NOT START AFTER SITTING FOR AWHILE THEY CHANGED THE GAS PUMP BUT THE SAME PROBLEM STILL EXISTS TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159062 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE FAILED. WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER THERE WAS AN EXHAUST SMELL. THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED, NO INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159950 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2007-07-24 (July 24, 2007)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT BELT TONGUE WILL NOT LATCH INTO THE BUCKLE AND, IN RARE CASES, EVEN THE LOCKED TONGUE WILL POP OUT BY LOW STRETCHING FORCE. IF THE BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH COMPLETELY, THE BUCKLE COULD RELEASE WITHOUT PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON.

Consequence: THESE BUCKLE MALFUNCTIONS, WHICH COULD PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THE SEAT BELT OR COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO FAIL TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED, CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES WITH THE IMPROVED PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

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.