← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Power Train complaints

79 reports
Clear category filter
47,000 miles · Dec 19, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WORK NORMALLY. THE DEAL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WORK NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE DEALER REPAIR THE FAILURE DUE TO DISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,170.

NHTSA ODI #10440395

79,000 miles · Nov 22, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYING THE DRIVE SYMBOL WITH A LINE ACROSS. THIS SYMBOL INDICATED NO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYING THE DRIVE SYMBOL WITH A LINE ACROSS. THIS SYMBOL INDICATED NO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT WITHOUT FAILURE. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA ODI #10436737

50,100 miles · Nov 4, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train

AS I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR ALL THE SUDDEN SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AND SHOWED A D WITH A SLASH THROUGH IT. I PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED I WAS IN REVERSE. WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT READ NEUTRAL. WHEN I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN, THERE WAS NO POWER, AS IF I WAS IN NEUTRAL. THIS HAS CONTINUED S…

Read full complaint

AS I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR ALL THE SUDDEN SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AND SHOWED A D WITH A SLASH THROUGH IT. I PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED I WAS IN REVERSE. WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT READ NEUTRAL. WHEN I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN, THERE WAS NO POWER, AS IF I WAS IN NEUTRAL. THIS HAS CONTINUED SINCE.THEN, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT.NUMEROUS TIMES, ONCE ALMOST HIT FROM THE FRONT AND THE REAR WHEN TURNING ON A YIELDING GREEN LIGHT AND THE CAR THROUGH ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. ALSO I HAVE HIT THE GAS IN DRIVE AND GONE BACKWARDS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES THAT IS THIS DANGEROUS FOR MY TWO YEAR OLD SON AND I. I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR DAILY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434287

50,782 miles · Oct 15, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING, CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE OR CHANGE GEARS ON IT'S OWN, AND WHEN I SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, IT FELT LIKE MY CAR GOT HIT, A VERY HARD "BANG" AND SAME WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR BACK TO DRIVE. CK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING CAR OFF FOR APRX. 10 MINUTES THEN TURNIN…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING, CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE OR CHANGE GEARS ON IT'S OWN, AND WHEN I SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, IT FELT LIKE MY CAR GOT HIT, A VERY HARD "BANG" AND SAME WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR BACK TO DRIVE. CK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING CAR OFF FOR APRX. 10 MINUTES THEN TURNING BACK ON, LIGHT WAS STILL ON, BUT NOW CAR WAS ACCELERATING AND CHANGING GEARS. GOT THE CAR TO THE SUZUKI 112 DEALERSHIP IN MEDFORD, NY AND THEY SAID CODES PO700 & PO705 WERE PRESENT. THEY DIAGNOSED A FAILED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR / SWITCH ASSY. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND HE REPLACES 4-6 OF THESE PER MONTH BETWEEN THE FORENZA AND RENO MODEL SUZUKI VEHICLES. SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY SINCE THIS IS JUST A COMPONENT THAT IS MOUNTED TO THE TRANSMISSION, NOT ACTUALLY INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. $216.63 LATER, THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC REMOVED AND REPLACED THE PART. NOTE: THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAD THIS PROBLEM, BUT 1ST TIME THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE AS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHUT ITSELF OFF BEFORE THEY GOT TO CHECK IT OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430284

31,895 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE BEEN GETTING SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. THEN SHORTLY AFTER MY BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. WELL THE NEXT WEEKEND THE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW WHEN I SWITCH GEARS I GET A LOUD THUMP AND THE CAR JUMPS REALLY HARD. I WENT TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTS WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT …

Read full complaint

I HAVE BEEN GETTING SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. THEN SHORTLY AFTER MY BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. WELL THE NEXT WEEKEND THE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW WHEN I SWITCH GEARS I GET A LOUD THUMP AND THE CAR JUMPS REALLY HARD. I WENT TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTS WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON THEY WERE ABLE TO RETRIEVE CODES AND VERIFY THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR A CIRCUIT WHILE IN PARK/REVERSE/NUETRAL AND DRIVE. AND THEY ALSO RETRIEVED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SENSOR. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW AND I WILL NOT DRIVE IT TILL IT GETS FIXED. I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR THE LONGEST TIME AND I AM SCARED THIS CAR WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT IS A VERY UNSAFE CAR AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING DUE TO MANY COMPLAINTS. YOU NEED TO DO A RECALL ON THIS CAR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS BADLY INJURED OR KILLED. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429529

46,000 miles · Sep 26, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO A HIGHER GEAR INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODE SWITCH NEEDE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO A HIGHER GEAR INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODE SWITCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10427187

44,000 miles · Sep 16, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train

TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH, FAILS TO SHIFT DOWN DURING ACCELERATION, MAY WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN MAKES A CLUNK AND FAILS AGAIN, CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GLOW AND MAY SHOW A BOX WITH A DIAGONAL LINE THROUGH IT WHERE THE D FOR DRIVE WOULD BE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10425824

36,000 miles · Jun 16, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND SKIP GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACT AS IF IT WERE IN LIMP MODE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND SKIP GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACT AS IF IT WERE IN LIMP MODE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,300.

NHTSA ODI #10407169

6,211 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Air BagsPower Train

PURCHASED A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA ON 9/8/2008. ACCELERATION CONCERNS, A RINGING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR-BAG NOTIFICATION LIGHT WAS REPORTED 9/16/08. TOLD BY PHONE THE CAR WAS NEW AND WOULD NEED TO BE DRIVEN FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO WARN UP. 9/16/08 RINGING NOISE WAS LOUDER HAD ACCELERATION CONCERNS, TIMIN…

Read full complaint

PURCHASED A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA ON 9/8/2008. ACCELERATION CONCERNS, A RINGING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR-BAG NOTIFICATION LIGHT WAS REPORTED 9/16/08. TOLD BY PHONE THE CAR WAS NEW AND WOULD NEED TO BE DRIVEN FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO WARN UP. 9/16/08 RINGING NOISE WAS LOUDER HAD ACCELERATION CONCERNS, TIMING COVER HAD MELTED DUE TO FRICTION FROM THE BELTS SLIDING. INVOICE REFLECTS ELECTRICAL BODY WORK AS SUCH: ' SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT NOT ON TENSION ON WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR UNDER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS SEAT COULD CAUSE HIGH RESISTANCE - RELOCATE BOTH HARNESS AND SECURE THEM." 10/27/08 REPORTED TAPPING NOISE AT ENGINE WHEN STARTING CAR, ACCELERATION WAS DRAGGING AND AIR BAG LIGHT. INVOICE FINDINGS - NO PROBLEM FOUND - TOLD NOT TO EXPECT PERFORMANCE ON ACCELERATION. 1/17/09 (CAR RELEASED 1/23/09) SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES IT IS OFF, CRUISE CONTROL DROPPING, TRANSMISSION NOT ACCELERATING, ENGINE RUNNING LOUD UNTIL WARMED UP: RESOLUTION - TIMING COVER REPLACED OTHER ISSUES FOUND TO BE WORKING TO FACTORY SPECS. 6/18/2009 -ACCELERATION IS SLOW, CAR DOWNSHIFTING AT HIGH SPEEDS, TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING WELL WHILE COASTING, MUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO SWITCH INTO GEAR: RESOLUTION - SUZUKI HELPDESK TICKET 175996598 SUGGESTED TO RE-INITIALIZE TCM (TRANSMISSION SWITCH). 10/1/09 - SAME ISSUE AS 6/19/09 - REVVING HIGHER AND LOUD IN COLD AND DAMP WEATHER TOLD NO NEW INFO: ISSUE SEEMED TO SUBSIDE ' NO WORK DONE TO MY KNOWLEDGE. 12/30/09 SAME ISSUES AS 6/19 & 10/1 TIMING COVER ADJUSTED TOLD ACCELERATION WAS NORMAL. FIX FOR TIMING COVER JANUARY 5, 2010. 8/1/10 & 10/26/10 TAKEN IN FOR ACCELERATION & MAINT. AFTER NEAR ACCIDENTS AND PROBLEMS DRIVING BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 15 AND 60 MPH: NOTHING ADDRESSED. 1/4/11 - TRANSMISSION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY A DIFFERENT SUZUKI CENTER. TOLD TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE CAN GO OUT. ACCELERATION ISSUES HAVE RETURNED SIDE AIRBAG STILL SHOWS OFF WHEN OCCUPIED BY PERSON 120 PLUS POUNDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406896

34,100 miles · Jun 11, 2011
Power Train

SUZUKI FORENZA 2008 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH 34000 MILES AND THE DEALER SAYS I HAVE TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER REPAIR,THEY TOLD ME THAT HAVE THREE CHOICES :NEW CAR,NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $4000 DOLLARS OR 1600 DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT. IS JUST THAT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405970

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.