SUZUKI VEHICLES: COUNTER MEASURE PROCEDURE FOR DTC P2138. MIL LIGHT IS ON, DTC P2138 STORED. FAILURE OF THE CONNECTOR AND/OR WIRING CIRCUITS BETWEEN THE ECM AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. MODELS FORENZA, FORENZA WAGON AND RENO (RQ420).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Suzuki Forenza electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2007 Suzuki Forenza have filed 31 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 68,200 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Forenza | 28 |
| 2006 Forenza | 33 |
| 2007 Forenza (this page) | 31 |
| 2008 Forenza | 20 |
15fires
When does it fail?
Of the 31 electrical complaints filed for the 2007 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
Owners have filed 31 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 17 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
P0441 OR P0496 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM CONTINUOUS PURGE FLOW).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Forenza's electrical system presents a pattern of serious, recurring failures. The most critical issue is vehicle fires: multiple owners report their cars catching fire while parked or during operation, with fire marshals confirming electrical wiring as the origin. These fires started anywhere from 8,500 to 113,000 miles and caused total losses. Before fires, owners consistently reported warning signs: headlights that won't turn off (draining batteries), flickering lights, burning smells from the dashboard or vents, and melted wiring harnesses.
The daytime running light (DRL) module and headlamp switch are chronic problem areas. Lights stay on after the key is removed, flicker on startup, or fail to turn off. A recall (NHTSA Campaign 14V262000) was issued in May 2014 to address melted splice packs in the wiring harness, but repair parts remained unavailable for months, leaving owners unable to register or safely drive their cars.
Owners also report widespread wiring faults affecting brakes, windows, and dashboard electronics simultaneously—dash lights out with no blown fuses, brake lights dead, power windows inoperative. The transmission range sensor regularly fails, causing the car to slip gears or get stuck in third gear while driving; dealers refuse warranty coverage despite acknowledging it's a common defect. One owner's ignition key became dangerously hot. Overall, owners describe a cascade of failures across the electrical and powertrain systems within the first few years of ownership.
Same Suzuki Forenza electrical reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Daytime Running Light (DRL) Module and Headlamp Switch Malfunction
DRL module or headlamp switch fails, causing lights to flicker, remain on after key removal, or fail to turn off. Owners report daytime running lights staying on all night, headlights flickering on startup, and inability to control light operation without disconnecting the battery. Some narratives mention melted splice packs on wiring harness and melted interior paneling under the steering wheel.
When: Various mileages reported; recall initiated May 2014 for NHTSA Campaign 14V262000
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flicker or stay on after ignition is off; Daytime running lights remain on continuously; Lights cannot be turned off without disconnecting battery; Headlights intermittently stop working then resume; Turn signals stop working on one side then the other; Dimming and brightening of running lights when parking brake is released
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair required replacement of signal switch or DRL module; recall parts were unavailable for extended periods. Battery terminals required replacement in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 14V262000 (Exterior Lighting / Electrical System) issued May 2014; recall mailed July 2014; parts unavailable during recall period; dealer stated if car catches fire it is not manufacturer's concern
Electrical Fire—Wiring Harness and Fuse Box
Vehicle catches fire while parked or during operation due to electrical wiring failure, melted splice packs, or fuse box short. Fire originates under hood or from wiring behind fuse panel. Owners report smoke and burning odor from dashboard, instrument panel, or vents. Melted hood release levers, interior paneling, and windshield smoke damage documented. Fire Marshal in one case ruled origin was electrical wiring underneath the hood.
When: Mileages 8,500 to 113,000 miles; incidents occurred 2008–2013
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke and burning odor from dashboard or under hood; Toxic burning/melting smell from ventilation system; Fire originating under hood or from wiring/fuse box; Melted interior paneling under steering wheel; Melted hood release lever; Smoke damage on windshield and interior; Fire spreading to interior of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles declared total losses. Wiring harness and connector switch replacement noted in one case at 45,000 miles; no repairs completed in fire cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V262000 relates to melted splice pack on wiring harness; manufacturer contacted in some cases but no recalls issued before fires occurred; one owner reported Suzuki said fire was not their concern
Transmission Range Sensor Failure
Transmission range sensor fails, causing transmission to slip gears, shift unexpectedly, or become stuck in third gear. One owner reported car jumped out of gear while driving. Multiple owners mention transmission sensor replacements that fail again within months. Dealers classify as electrical problem not covered by warranty despite being a common issue.
When: Various mileages; some owners report failure recurrence within months of repair
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips or loses gears; Vehicle gets stuck in third gear; Unexpected gear shifting or jumping out of gear; Car stalls while driving at highway speed; All dashboard lights illuminate without clear cause
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost approximately $200; owners report sensor replaced 2–4 times before entire transmission replacement in one case; repeated failures after initial repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No official recalls; dealers acknowledge it is a common problem with this model but refuse to cover under warranty, claiming it is an electrical rather than transmission issue
Ignition Switch Overheating
Ignition key becomes extremely hot during operation. Owner reported key reaching temperatures sufficient to cause concern about burns after driving 15 minutes or more.
When: At approximately 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition key becomes extremely hot
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer; no repair performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated occurrence is normal; manufacturer not notified
Wiring and Fuse Box Electrical Faults
Wiring harness or fuse box develops intermittent or complete electrical faults affecting multiple vehicle systems. Owners report dash lights out with no bad fuse identified, loss of brake lights and headlights, windows not rolling down, and tire pressure warning light cycling on and off.
When: No specific mileage range noted in complaints
Symptoms owners cite: Dash lights fail without corresponding fuse failure; Brake lights inoperative; Headlights inoperative; Power windows fail to operate; Tire pressure warning light intermittently activates; Multiple electrical system failures in rapid succession
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as wiring issue requiring harness replacement; no specific repair costs provided
Automatic Door Lock-Out During Engine Off
Vehicle equipped with automatic door lock feature that locks all doors when engine is off with key in ignition, trapping occupants inside.
When: At approximately 8,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Doors lock automatically when engine is off with key in ignition; Occupants trapped inside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Police called to unlock doors
Battery Discharge and Jump-Start Requirements
Battery repeatedly dies or discharges due to electrical system leaving loads active when vehicle is off, particularly daytime running lights. Owners require frequent jump-starts.
When: No specific timing noted
Symptoms owners cite: Battery dead or severely discharged; Vehicle unable to start; Repeated battery discharge even after replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement required in at least one case; no root cause repair identified in most complaints
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
On 12/3/08 @ 12:30 a.m., my 2007 Suzuki forenza caught fire resulting in a total loss. I've contacted Suzuki & I'm awaiting there return call. The fire marshall ruled out arson & concluded that the origin of the fire was underneath the hood resulting from electrical wiring in the vehicle. I purchased the vehicle in may of 2008 & I've never had a problem since the purchase. On 12/2/08, I drove…
I have had to repair so much on this car in such a short amount of time, I am going nuts...almost every month its something else! I have had blown head gaskets, replaced broken door handles (they broke again), chipping paint (for no reason), brake light switch system, now the transmission range sensor is bad. To replace the tires, the cheapest you can find is $130/tire new. I am out of…
Had electrical trouble with your 2007 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 electrical problem on the 2007 Suzuki Forenza?
It's a meaningful issue. 31 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 45,000 and 84,000 miles, with the median around 68,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 84,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2007/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.