Recall 12V397 affects 101,688 2004-2006 Suzuki Forenza and Reno vehicles for headlamp wiring that can overheat. Repair is free at any franchised Suzuki dealer.
Suzuki is recalling 101,688 2004-2006 Forenza and Reno vehicles because poor electrical contact in the headlamp power circuit can generate heat and melt the splice pack. If the headlamps stop working, driver visibility drops and crash risk increases; the dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The headlamp power circuit on 2004-2006 Suzuki Forenza and Reno vehicles sends electrical power to the low-beam and high-beam headlights. A splice pack is the connector point where several power wires join so both headlamps receive current when the switch is on. That connection has to stay tight and cool for the lights to work.
On affected vehicles, poor contact between terminals in certain wires raises electrical resistance. Resistance turns some of that power into heat at the connection point. The heat can melt the splice pack that joins the headlamp power wires. Once that connector is damaged, the low beams, high beams, or both can cut out or stop working.
Before the headlamp function fails, the recall filing does not identify an early warning sign. There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices can be intermittent headlamp operation or a total loss of headlamp function.
Who's affected?
Covers Forenza and Reno across the 2004, 2005, and 2006 model years, with headlight and under-dash wiring components listed.
| 2004 Suzuki Forenza | Headlights |
|---|---|
| 2004 Suzuki Forenza | wiring |
| 2005 Suzuki Forenza | Headlights |
| 2005 Suzuki Forenza | wiring |
| 2005 Suzuki Reno | Headlights |
| 2005 Suzuki Reno | wiring |
| 2006 Suzuki Forenza | Headlights |
| 2006 Suzuki Forenza | wiring |
| 2006 Suzuki Reno | Headlights |
| 2006 Suzuki Reno | wiring |
| Units affected | 101,688 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
Recall 12V397 addresses headlamps that fail to function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. If your headlamps are not working, avoid nighttime driving and contact a Suzuki dealer for guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Suzuki dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2006 Suzuki Forenza or Reno is included in this recall.
- Contact Suzuki customer service at 1-877-697-8985 to confirm current repair instructions for recall number 12V397.
- Schedule the free dealer wiring repair with a franchised Suzuki dealer if Suzuki confirms your VIN is included.
- Ask the dealer to reconnect the affected headlamp power-circuit wires with heat-shrink crimps so the low and high beams work reliably.
- Bring the recall notice if Suzuki sent one, or reference recall number 12V397 when you call.
- Avoid driving after dark until the repair is complete if the headlamps are intermittent or out.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Suzuki technician reconnects the affected headlamp power circuit wires using two heat-shrink crimps. The work addresses poor contact at the wire terminals that can heat the splice pack and interrupt low or high beam headlamp function. The dealer repair will be free once Suzuki confirms parts and service availability for your VIN. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, with the wiring connection restored before the vehicle leaves service.
Timeline
| August 14, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 25, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V397?
Recall 12V397 covers 101,688 2004-2006 Suzuki Forenza and Reno vehicles with wiring terminals that can build resistance, overheat, and melt the splice pack for the headlamp power circuit. That failure can cause intermittent or total loss of low or high beam headlamps and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2004-2006 Suzuki Forenza or Reno is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V397. If it is, contact a Suzuki dealer to schedule the wiring repair. Reference recall number 12V397 when you call, or contact Suzuki at 1-877-697-8985 for recall support.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost. Suzuki dealers reconnect the affected headlamp power wires with 2 heat-shrink crimps free of charge, including parts and labor for vehicles included in recall 12V397.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility while driving. If the low or high beam headlamps stop working, the driver has less ability to see the road and other drivers have less ability to see the vehicle, increasing crash risk.
What if I bought my Suzuki Forenza or Reno used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2004-2006 Suzuki Forenza or Reno is included, then contact a Suzuki dealer and reference recall number 12V397.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V397000 |
|---|---|
| Suzuki customer service | 1-877-697-8985 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V397 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V397000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →