Is the 2006 Suzuki Forenza a bad year?
280 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 116, 3.9× a quiet Forenza year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2006 Suzuki Forenza were filed between 42k and 90k miles. You're at 60,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Forenza owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 60,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 116 (41%) | 42k–90k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 57 (20%) | 36k–104k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 56 (20%) | 17k–89k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 40 (14%) | 6k–76k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Speed control | 29 (10%) | 48k–99k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 21 (8%) | 49k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 11 (4%) | 35k–77k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 12 (4%) | 22k–52k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 14 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 11 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 60,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 280 complaints: 19 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 20 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Mar 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My 2006 Suzuki Forenza switched into neutral at 60 MPH on a road with no shoulder.
Transmission range selector switch on the 2006 Suzuki Forenza is failing, and yet they do not consider this important enough to recall.
Transmission range sensor is failing and caused a loss of power almost causing a major accident. This is a common problem with this model year, and needs to be investigated for a safety recall.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 60,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Suzuki Forenza: 4
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. 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.
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. If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Inappropriate lighting could reduce visibility of vehicles and increase the potential for a crash.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Suzuki: 6
Repair instructions Suzuki sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Suzuki Forenza. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Suzuki vehicle: counter measure procedure for DTC P2135
This service bulletin updates a bulletin originally issued on may 18, 2016, concerning a special warranty extension…
Suzuki vehicles: counter measure procedure for DTC P2138
Neighbouring years
2005 Forenza: 156 complaints, keep it · 2007 Forenza: 256 complaints, consider selling.
Every Suzuki Forenza year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · All Forenza years side by side
Other Suzuki models: Suzuki Grand Vitara · Suzuki Reno · Suzuki SX4 · Suzuki Verona · Suzuki XL7. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Suzuki Forenza a bad year?
280 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 116, 3.9× a quiet Forenza year. At 60,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2006 Suzuki Forenza were filed between 42k and 90k miles. You're at 60,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Suzuki Forenza?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (116), electrical system (57), air bags (56), engine (40), speed control (29). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 42k–90k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Suzuki Forenza have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 14V-262), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 12V-397), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 07V-452), Seat belts (NHTSA 07V-315). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.