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2008 Suzuki Forenza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Suzuki Forenza do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 156.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

129 reports with mileage · 23 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports10 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

22 reports
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95,566 miles · May 20, 2019
EngineExterior LightingPower Train

I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP MCCANN CAR LOT IN SPARTA NC MCCANN TOLD ME IT WAS THE BEST CAR ON THE LOT HE DROVE ME THROUGH TOWN TELLING ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THEN LET ME DRIVE IT A SHORT DISTANCE INSURED ME THE CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME AFTER WE WENT TO GET INSPECTED WHICH NOTHIN…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP MCCANN CAR LOT IN SPARTA NC MCCANN TOLD ME IT WAS THE BEST CAR ON THE LOT HE DROVE ME THROUGH TOWN TELLING ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THEN LET ME DRIVE IT A SHORT DISTANCE INSURED ME THE CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME AFTER WE WENT TO GET INSPECTED WHICH NOTHING WAS CHECKED JUNIOR MCCANN TOLD THEM NOTHING WAS WRONG THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT MELTED THE COVER NOW CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE HEATER SMELLS SO BAD I GOT SICK FROM INHALED THE ODOR I REPORTED THIS TO JUNIOR MCCANN HIS REPLY WAS I WAS SMELLING SOMETHING HE DIDN'T SMELL MY HUSBAND ALSO SMELLED THE ODOR AND GOT BAD HEADACHE HE NEVER ONCE SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR

NHTSA ODI #11208565

129,000 miles · Jun 14, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

"TAKATA RECALL" GEAR SHIFT KEEPS SLIPPING AND MAYBE THE CAUSE OF NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. HAD TO TURN CAR OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE GEAR SLIPPED. WHEN CAR WAS IN DRIVE A SYMBOL POPPED UP WITH A D WITH A LINE THOUGH IT! TOOK IT TO O'REILLY AND PUT IT ON MACHINE ABOUT 3WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND IT READ S…

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"TAKATA RECALL" GEAR SHIFT KEEPS SLIPPING AND MAYBE THE CAUSE OF NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. HAD TO TURN CAR OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE GEAR SLIPPED. WHEN CAR WAS IN DRIVE A SYMBOL POPPED UP WITH A D WITH A LINE THOUGH IT! TOOK IT TO O'REILLY AND PUT IT ON MACHINE ABOUT 3WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND IT READ SOME CODES ABOUT GEAR AND TRANSMISSION AND AN EMPLOYEE THERE SAID GEAR SLIPPING COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS!

NHTSA ODI #11101843

65,000 miles · Sep 30, 2016
EnginePower Train

THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR ON SUZUKI FORENZAS AND OTHER MODELS HAS BEEN SHODDY AT BEST. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 65000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE REPLACED THE TRS 3 TIMES GETTING READY TO BE A 4TH. THIS IS NOT A SENSOR THAT SHOULD NEED REPLACED REGULARLY. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SLIP OUT OF GEAR AT SPEED DUE TO THIS AND CAN NEVER ACCE…

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THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR ON SUZUKI FORENZAS AND OTHER MODELS HAS BEEN SHODDY AT BEST. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 65000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE REPLACED THE TRS 3 TIMES GETTING READY TO BE A 4TH. THIS IS NOT A SENSOR THAT SHOULD NEED REPLACED REGULARLY. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SLIP OUT OF GEAR AT SPEED DUE TO THIS AND CAN NEVER ACCELERATE WHEN I NEED TO. IM AFRAID THAT IF I NEED TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID A COLLISION I WONT BE ABLE TO. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE. THEY HAVE MORE THEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO SEE THIS IS AN ISSUE AND THEY NEED TO ACT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #10910877

91,000 miles · Aug 8, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineWheels

CAR HEADLIGHT SHUT OF ON ME WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ALONG WITH AIR CONDITIONING AND WINDOWS THEY ALL SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND I HAD TO PULL OVER NEAR THE NEAREST STORE AND CUT CAR OFF THANKS I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THEY ALL SRARTED WORKING ACCEPT THE AIR THAT DIDNT START WORKING AGAIN TILL ABOU…

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CAR HEADLIGHT SHUT OF ON ME WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ALONG WITH AIR CONDITIONING AND WINDOWS THEY ALL SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND I HAD TO PULL OVER NEAR THE NEAREST STORE AND CUT CAR OFF THANKS I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THEY ALL SRARTED WORKING ACCEPT THE AIR THAT DIDNT START WORKING AGAIN TILL ABOUT THIRTY MINS LATER CAR ALSO JUMPS WHEN PULLING OUT OF PARK IN TO DRIVE OR REVERSE REALLY HARD JUMP THE CAR HEADLIGHTS ALSO FLICKER WHEN PRESSING WINDOWS BUTTONS TO GO DOWN TIRE SENSOR LIGHT WONT GO OUT CAR ALSO HAS A HARD TIME ACCELERATING GOING UPHILL U HAVE PRESS DOWN ALL THE WAY ON GAS FOR IT TO GO

NHTSA ODI #10893886

108,000 miles · Mar 16, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR REPLACED ON MY 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA TWICE ALREADY AND IT HAS MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONS, MY CAR JERKS HEAVILY WHEN CHANGING GEARS, AND IT IS AN AUTOMATIC ENGINE. THE RPMS WILL NOT EXCEED 3000, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND "HOLD" FLASHES IN THE DASH. THE CAR ACCEL…

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I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR REPLACED ON MY 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA TWICE ALREADY AND IT HAS MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONS, MY CAR JERKS HEAVILY WHEN CHANGING GEARS, AND IT IS AN AUTOMATIC ENGINE. THE RPMS WILL NOT EXCEED 3000, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND "HOLD" FLASHES IN THE DASH. THE CAR ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY SHUDDERS ABOVE 50 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS DROPPED TO ZERO WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SO I CANNOT TELL HOW FAST I AM GOING.

NHTSA ODI #10850096

71,844 miles · Apr 8, 2015
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS AND THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,844. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS. UPDATED 7/16/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10704488

78,000 miles · Mar 6, 2015
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A WALL. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED OR IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A WALL. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED OR IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 4/6/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10692542

80,200 miles · Nov 18, 2014
EnginePower Train

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN PUTTING MY CAR INTO REVERSE. THE CAR WOULD JUMP WHENEVER PUTTING IT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. I HAD A SCANNER PUT ON IT AND THE CODES CAME OUT TO BE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL CONTINUE TO GO ON AND OFF DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH I DRIVE IT. I AM BEING TOLD THIS IS NOT…

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN PUTTING MY CAR INTO REVERSE. THE CAR WOULD JUMP WHENEVER PUTTING IT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. I HAD A SCANNER PUT ON IT AND THE CODES CAME OUT TO BE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL CONTINUE TO GO ON AND OFF DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH I DRIVE IT. I AM BEING TOLD THIS IS NOT UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THIS NEEDS TO BE AS IT IS AFFECTING THE POWER TRAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659028

65,040 miles · May 27, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, MY VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD "CLUNK" NOISE, LURCHED FORWARD AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I HAD TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD. …

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, MY VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD "CLUNK" NOISE, LURCHED FORWARD AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I HAD TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD. I PULLED OVER AND PARKED, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, WAITED ABOUT A MINUTE, TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON, AND THE PROBLEM HAD GONE AWAY ALTHOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. A DAY OR SO LATER, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE MADE THE "CLUNK" NOISE, LURCHED FORWARD AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME, BECAUSE I WAS ALREADY IN MOTION, THE RPMS JUMPED UP ABOVE 3000, WHICH IS VERY HIGH FOR A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE ONLY GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR. AGAIN, I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, WAITED ABOUT A MINUTE, TURNED THE CAR ON AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE NORMALLY AGAIN ALTHOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING RANDOMLY ABOUT 20 TIMES A YEAR OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 2 1/2 - 3 YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594208

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AFTER DRIVING 5-10 MILES, ONCE HE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10587970

Official recalls

1

14V262000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

May 19, 2014

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Forenza vehicles, and 2005-2008 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2003, through July 30, 2008. 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Suzuki will replace the signal switch and add a jumper relay kit and will replace the DRL Module in teh instrument panel harness. Suzuki distributed to owners an interim letter on July 30, 2014. The recall began October 29, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is XA.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.