VehicleVerdict

2005 Suzuki Forenza lighting problems

The 2005 Suzuki Forenza has 40 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 18% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

40

Lighting complaints

18%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Forenza lighting complaints by model year40 complaints2004: 18 complaints2005: 40 complaints2006: 23 complaints2007: 18 complaints2008: 10 complaints
Forenza lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

14V262000LightingMay 19, 2014 · 184,244 units

Defect

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.

12V397000LightingAugust 14, 2012 · 101,688 units

Defect

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.

07V452000LightingSeptember 25, 2007 · 93,963 units

Defect

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.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 22, 2015 · fire

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 2005 Suzuki Forenza have?

NHTSA has 40 complaints about the 2005 Suzuki Forenza lighting — 18% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2005 Suzuki Forenza lighting?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the lighting: 07V452000, 12V397000, 14V262000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.