FaultScore

2006 Suzuki Forenza body problems

10 of the 426 complaints about the 2006 Suzuki Forenza are about the body and structure — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 40,000 miles.

F

10

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Door 4 40.0%
Structure 3 30.0%
Body 2 20.0%
Hinge AND Attachments 1 10.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Mogadore, OH Fire

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, A FIRE STARTED ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE CONSUMED THE REAR SEATS AND EXTENDED FROM THE REAR TO THE FRONT FLOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. A FIRE INSPECTION REPORT WAS NOT PROCESSED BY A FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED YET TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10823594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,217 miles Louisville, KY Crash 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

ON JANUARY 15, 2013, I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY TO PREVENT HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER, WHO HAD ALSO SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES. WE WERE GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE IN TIME TO PREVENT HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THIS CRASH. I FEEL THAT AN IMPACT AT THAT SPEED SHOULD HAVE TRIGGERED THE AIRBAG. I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH WHIPLASH AFTERWARDS. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CRASH AND THE AIRBAG INTACT.

NHTSA complaint #10560593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Durham, NC

STRUCTURE

I OWN A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. SINCE PURCHASING NEW IN 2006, I HAVE HAD THE GAS GAUGE, GAS TANK, RADIO, CENTER CONSOLE, FRONT DOOR HANDLES & CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. THE FACTORY TIRES WENT BAD WITHIN A YEAR, AND BECAUSE IT IS AN ODD TIRE SIZE COST OVER $400 TO REPLACE. CURRENTLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON STATING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH WAS JUST REPLACED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. I LEFT THE CAR OVERNIGHT AT THE DEALER & GOT A RENTAL CAR (WHICH COST $75) AND THE DEALER AND SUZUKI TECH SUPPORT CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ERROR CONTINUES TO SHOW UP. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT IS ALSO ON & I WAS TOLD THAT IT REQUIRES A SENSOR - NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY - THAT WILL COST OVER $300. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE JERKING AND SLIPPING GEARS ON ACCELERATION. IT WOULD ALSO STICK IN NEUTRAL OR NOT CHANGE GEARS AND HESITATE TO THE POINT OF MOVING VERY SLOWLY. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS AN OXYGEN SENSOR WHICH COST ME OVER $300 TO REPLACE. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ONCE SINCE. THE STRUTS - FRONT AND BACK - ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED WHICH IS A $1200 REPAIR BECAUSE THEY ARE LEAKING. CURRENTLY BOTH FRONT DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS TO OPEN THE DOORS. I HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED ONCE BEFORE UNDER RECALL, BUT NOW IT WILL COST OVER $200 A PIECE TO REPLACE. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THERE WAS A LIGHT TO INDICATE THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE WORKING UNTIL IT JUST APPEARED ONE DAY. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS INDICATOR WON'T STAY ON - IT COMES ON, THEN GOES BACK OFF. I THINK SUZUKI NEEDS TO MAKE GOOD ON THESE CARS BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10392415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BAY City, MI

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE OF MY 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA HAS FALLEN OFF OF THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I SEE THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON SOME VEHICLES. WHEN IS THE RECALL COMING OUT FOR THE 2006 MODEL? THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING TRAPPED IN MY CAR IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #10368971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Salisbury, NC

STRUCTURE

I OWN A USED 06' SUZUKI FORENZA. ALL OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AS IT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THE WEB MANY A TIMES. THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE WAS ALREADY CRACKED AND LOOKED TO BE GLUED BACK TOGETHER. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE JUST BROKE ALONG WITH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE. WHEN I INQUIRED OF SUZUKI AFTER I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE DOOR HANDLES THEY SAID MY CAR WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. HOWEVER THEY USED THE SAME DOOR HANDLES FOR THE 06 MODELS AS THEY DID FOR OLDER MODELS THAT I DO BELIEVE HAVE A RECALL. THIS CONSTITUTES A GRAVE RISK TO THE PASSENGERS AND MYSELF AS I HAVE TO UNROLL MY WINDOW TO EVEN OPEN THE DOOR, I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY GET OUT TO LET OUT THE REAR DRIVER PASSENGER OUT. IN ORDER TO FIX THIS I HAVE TO PAY A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THIS. I AM ASKING THAT YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS AND MAKE SUZUKI ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE BADLY MADE DOOR HANDLES. IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT MY CHILDREN AND POSSIBLY MYSELF MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR IN CASE OF A FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10359458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Trion, GA

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

HAVE A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. BOTH PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR DOORHANDLES HAVE BROKE OFF IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PASSENGERS TO EXIT VEHICLE WITHOUT SOMEONE OPENING DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF DOOR. IF VEHICLE HAPPENS TO BE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION SUCH AS CRASH OR FIRE, PASSENGERS WILL BE UNABLE TO QUICKLY EXIT VEHICLE. UPON DOING RESEARCH ON SITUATION AS TO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, HAVE DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2006 2007 MODEL OF THE FORENZA AND EVEN AFTER DOORHANDLE IS REPLACED THEY CONTINUE TO BREAK.

NHTSA complaint #10330714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Tampa, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

2006 SUZUKI FORENZA WHICH I BOUGHT IN FEBRUARY 2008. THE INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE BROKE OFF WITHIN 4 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER A YEAR AFTER I HAD THE VEHICLE. NORMAL USE OF HANDLES (TRYING TO EXIT VEHICLE). NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THAT. AFTER READING THROUGH YOUR COMPLAINTS, I SEE OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT TO DEALER WHO HAD NO INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL. HE INFORMED ME OF THE COST OF $120+ TO REPAIR THE TWO PLUS THE COST OF THE HANDLES.

NHTSA complaint #10295504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Orlando, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

ALL INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN. EACH AND EVERYONE STARTED WITH A CRACK AND EVENTUALLY ENDING UP COMPLETELY BREAKING. WE ARE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE UNLESS WE OPEN THE WINDOW ,STICK HAND OUT AND LIFT DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR US, WE HAVE 3 KIDS.

NHTSA complaint #10243898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,115 miles Boca Raton, FL

STRUCTURE

MY 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA'S PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE OR FORCE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH SUZUKI AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE PASSENGER DOOR IS INOPERATIVE WITHOUT THE HANDLE. THERE IS NOTHING REINFORCING THE PLASTIC HANDLE AND IN THE EVENT THAT A PASSENGER ( OR DRIVER, I SURMISE---SAME HANDLE) NEEDS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY, THIS WOULD IMPEDE HIS ABILITY. KING SUZUKI IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. WILL ORDER THE PART FOR ME AND HAVE IT INSTALLED, BUT I DO THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO HAVE EVERY VEHICLE CORRECTED.

NHTSA complaint #10232293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Muscle Shoals, AL

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

I HAVE A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA THAT I PURCHASED NEW FROM SHOALS SUZUKI IN SHEFFIELD ALABAMA. I HAVE HAD TWO OF THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WILL BREAK OFF IN YOUR HAND WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS ADDRESSED. THESE HANDLES ARE 100% PLASTIC WITH NO METAL REINFORCEMENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD ALOT OF THEM BREAKING. WHAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND THIS HAPPENED? THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO GET OUT. PLEASE TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES. THANKS.

NHTSA complaint #10215548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2006 Suzuki Forenza problems

← Full 2006 Suzuki Forenza report