Dt: the contact stated while driving the brakes failed and the check engine light came on. The road conditions were dry, and brake failure occurred under normal braking and at normal to low speeds. He contacted the dealership, who claimed the brake switch malfunctioned, causing the check engine light to come on. Also, contacted the manufacturer. They told him to contact the dealership. No…
2005 Suzuki Forenza brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2005 Suzuki Forenza have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Forenza (this page) | 4 |
| 2006 Forenza | 5 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 4 brakes complaints filed for the 2005 Suzuki Forenza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 20 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 10 MPH, a grinding noise was heard coming from the rear brakes. On 11/15/06, the service dealer was contacted, who determined that the vehicle needed to be brought in for inspection. The manufacturer was contacted who determined that the brakes were worn down by the contact. The contact expressed that even if the pads were worn down, the dealer needed to…
Had brakes trouble with your 2005 Suzuki Forenza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2005 Suzuki Forenza?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 14,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Suzuki/Forenza.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.