Problems · by component

2005 Suzuki Forenza electrical system problems

38 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Suzuki Forenza cite electrical system, 24% of all 156 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
38
24% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHEN THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION IT IS HOT, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIP OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AMERICA'S MOTOR SPORTS (930 8TH AVE S, NASHVILLE, TN 37203, (615) 834-8990) FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE KEY BECAME HOT WHENEVER IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. *TT*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 26, 2019Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11204011
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH STARTING. THE DEALER (GERMAIN TOYOTA OF NAPLES, 13315 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34110) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED PRIOR TO BEING REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V262000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 12V397000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11084775
“I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ELETRICAL WIRING. I'VE NOTICED A SHORTNESS IN MY RADIO, ACCORDING BREAKS AND PRESSURE FOR THE CAR OVER HEATING WHEN STOPPING. HAD MY RADIATOR AND FANS REPLACED. BUT STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH CAR OVER HEATING. AND AC AND HEAT NOT WORKING WHEN TURNED ON. IF CLOSE THE DOOR OR GO OVER A BUMP IN ROAD WILL WORK. JUST LIKE MY RADIO. I ONLY HAD THIS CAR SINCE LAST FEB AND ITS BECOMING WORRISOME. BRAKE LIGHTS SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK HAS A SHORTNESS ALSO. AND LOW HEAD BEAM ON DRIVER SIDE KEEP GOING OUT... HAVE TO DRIVE ON HIGH BEAM ALL THE TIME AT NIGHT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 9, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11078298
“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? IF SOMEONE COULD LEAD ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION THAT WOULD BE GREAT I JUST REALLY THINK WE GOT SCREWED AND MY SON REALLY WANTS HIS CAR FIXED”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 21, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lightingFire reportedODI 11074107
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AS IT REMAINED IN THE OFF POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2015Electrical systemODI 10780113
“FUSE FOR ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM BLEW AND CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO BLOW INTO PIECES. REPLACED RADIATOR, REPLACED BOTH COOLING SYSTEM FANS, CHECKED RELAYS, 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT NOW IT BLOWS THE COOLING SYSTEM FUSE AS SOON AS YOU TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2015Electrical system, EngineODI 10725664

Showing 6 of 38 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: interior

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Aug 14, 2012NHTSA 12V397000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.