FaultScore

2008 Suzuki Forenza engine problems

29 of the 236 complaints about the 2008 Suzuki Forenza are about the engine — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 70,922 miles.

B

29

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 22 75.9%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 5 17.2%
Exhaust System 2 6.9%

Engine & Cooling across every Suzuki Forenza year

2004 14 9.0%
2005 26 16.7%
2006 43 27.6%
2007 44 28.2%
2008 29 18.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 95,566 miles Sparta, NC

ENGINE

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 complaint #11208565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,000 miles Jackson, TN

ENGINE

"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 complaint #11101843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles York, PA

ENGINE

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 complaint #10910877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,000 miles Ocean City, NJ

ENGINE

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 complaint #10893886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Columbia, SC

ENGINE

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 complaint #10850096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,844 miles Harrisonburg, VA

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10704488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,000 miles Indianapolis, IN Crash

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10692542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,200 miles Waynesboro, PA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10659028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,040 miles Stilwell, KS

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10594208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hamilton, NJ

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10587970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,380 miles South Plainfield, NJ

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AREA. THE BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LIGHTS THEN ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STOPPED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE SERPENTINE BELT WAS FRACTURED AND PULLING THE BRAKE LINE OUT OF THE FIRE WALL, SPINNING IT AROUND THE BRAKE LINE, THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY, AND THE STEERING ROD. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HARNESS WAS ALSO FRACTURED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE AND THE ENGINE DRIVE BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,380.

NHTSA complaint #10536723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,885 miles Muskegon, MI

ENGINE

EVERY TIME I CHANGE GEARS, MY CAR THUNKS UNDER THE HOOD AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY ON. A MACHINE WAS HOOKED UP TO MY CAR AND IT READS THAT THERE IS A BAD TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. I'VE DONE MY RESEARCH, AND NOTICE AN UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE/PART. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IN MY VEHICLE, IT DRIVES VERY POORLY AND FEELS LIKE IT CANNOT SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT GEAR. THIS IS UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10536737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,000 miles Carthage, NC

ENGINE

WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN, I DECIDED I WAS A LITTLE TO FAR INTO THE ROAD. I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND NOTICED IT SHIFTED REALLY HARD. I PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND PULLED OUT ONTO THE ROAD - AGAIN IT SHIFTED HARD. WHEN TRYING TO SPEED UP, THE CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULDN'T SPEED UP. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT IS A BAD TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #10534672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Decatur, GA

ENGINE

I NOTICED MY CAR HAVING DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AND IT WOULD OCCASIONALLY FEEL THE ENGINE JUMP WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT ITSELF OFF. LUCKILY IT TURNED ITSELF BACK ON AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY ACCELERATE TO SPEED. THE SHOP SAID THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SENSOR. A YEAR AGO THE CAR WAS DISPLAYING FUNNY SYMBOLS AND WOULD NOT START OCCASIONALLY. AGAIN THE SAME SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. A THIRD TIME THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS AGAIN HAVING DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING. THE ACCELERATION ISSUE AND THE LIGHT ARE INTERMITTENT, IT HAS NOW AGAIN BEGUN DOING THE ENGINE "JUMP" IT IS SCARY BEING AT A LIGHT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE. IT IS VERY SCARY STOPPING TO TURN LEFT INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX AND NOT KNOWING IF MY CAR WILL RESPOND WHEN I HAVE A GAP IN TRAFFIC TO TURN. TOOK IT TO A SHOP TODAY TO FIND OUT THAT THE CODES FROM THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ARE AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SENSOR. THE CAR HAS UNDER 65K AND I HAVE HAD THESE ISSUES THREE TIMES. I AM THANKFUL THAT IT HAS NOT CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10525982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,000 miles Shelton, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FOR A FEW WEEKS THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING A BIT OFF--NOT REALLY CHANGING GEARS RIGHT-BUT NOTHING TO RAISE SERIOUS ALARM-CLUNKED ONE TIME A WEEK AGO WHEN SLOWING DOWN. YESTERDAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR MADE A LOUD CLUNK AND WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO GEAR. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OF AND THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVE. TOOK IT INTO THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE--THEY RAN A TROUBLE CODE WHICH CAME BACK PO700 AND PO705. WE LOOKED THIS UP AND IT REFERRED TO THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR---THE AUTO PART FELLOW SAID GET IT IN NOW TO BE FIXED. $200 LATER THE CAR IS NOW RUNNING ACCEPTABLE AGAIN. THE CAR MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET THE PART IN A COUPLE HOURS BECAUSE THE WAREHOUSE SAID THIS PART HAS AN EXTREMELY HIGH DEMAND FOR IT SO THEY STOCK IT. WE HAD A LONG DISTANCE TRIP PLANNED NEXT WEEK AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS TO HAVE COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO DRIVE OR SOMETHING ELSE.

NHTSA complaint #10522160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,000 miles ELK Grove Village, IL

ENGINE

I BOUGHT MY CAR 3-29-09. AT 4,000 MI. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS. AT 57,059 MI. 4-9-13 WAS THE 18TH TIME MY CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SVC. I'M ON MY 3RD DEALER (ORIG. OUT OF SVC.) I AM HAVING MY 3RD TRANS INSTALLED.CAN SOMEONE SAY "LEMON LAW ?" 1ST THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AS NO CODES WERE SHOWN BY THE COMPUTER. MY CAR AT ONE POINT WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 34 DAYS STRAIGHT! AT TIMES IT WOULD NOT EVEN GO INTO GEAR OR WOULD JUST DIE. I HAVE HAD THE TCM,ECM,& TRANS RANGE SWITCH REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES.SINCE OCT 2012 HAVE GETTING AN INTERMITTENT CK ENG LIGHT, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO BRING IT IN ON 3-29-13 & THE ECM WAS REPLACED. ON 4-8-13 I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAKE IT IN TO THE SHOP AS MY CAR WAS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR AND I WAS ON THE HWY THE CK ENG, LIGHT WAS ON. IT WAS THE TRANS RANGE SWITCH AGAIN! IT WAS JUST REPLACED OCT 2012. MON. EVE. THE CAR WOULD STALL IN NEUTRAL WHEN IN DRIVE, SLAM INTO GEAR, THE CK ENG LIGHT REMAINED LIT, IT WAS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR AND THE NEWEST DEVELOPMENT WAS THAT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY, THE LIT D (DRIVE) BY THE ODOMETER WAS FLASHING NORMAL & THEN WITH A LINE THROUGH IT. I GOT TO THE DEALER, PULLED THE CODE & THE TRANS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN! I HAVE ABSOLUTELY HAD IT WITH THIS CAR AND AM ATTEMPTING TO RE-INSTATE MY ARBI- TRATION WITH THEM (I DROPPED IT WHEN THE SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROB.LAST YR). 14 OF VISITS WERE MAJOR. SUZUKI'S TECH EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THERE IS AN ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW. MY CAR IS DANGEROUS AND I NO LONGER WANT MY LIFE IN SUZUKI'S HANDS. I CANNOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE A CARE THAT CAN BECOME FAULTY AT ANY TIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM DRIVING 55-65 MPH ON THE HWY AND THE CAR GETS STUCK IN THIRD GEAR! MY HUSBAND HAS ALSO HAD THE ENGINE DIE ON HIM WHILE DRIVING.(I TOOK A SHORT VIDEO WITH MY PHONE THAT SHOWS THE CK ENG LIGHT ON AND THE D FLASHING WITH A LINE THROUGH IT.EVERY TIME THAT THE CK ENG LIGHT COMES ON LATELY, IT'S A NEW CODE.

NHTSA complaint #10505827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,980 miles Virgina Beach, VA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,980.

NHTSA complaint #10502012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,850 miles Greensboro, NC

ENGINE

MY TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, BOTH WITHIN A 12 MONTHS TIME FRAME. BOTH TIMES MY CAR JERKS AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS AND MY ENGINE LIGHT IS INVOKED. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR...THE VERY SAME WEEK MY VEHICLE IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES, INCLUSIVE OF MY ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND STAYING ON FOR 3 DAYS. UPON RETURN, THE DEALERSHIP SAYS MY JERKING, HARD GEAR SHIFTING AND ON BOARD ENGINE LIGHT IS BEING CAUSED DUE TO AN ENGINE SKIPPING ISSUE, WHICH IS "POSSIBLY" DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. I'LL HAVE TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP $210 TO SEE IF THE CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE ECM AND THE TCM IS BAD, AND IF ITS NOT BAD, I STILL PAY THE $210, BUT THEN THEY'LL TELL ME WHAT THE NEXT POSSIBLE STEP WOULD BE?? I FEEL I'M IN A NO WIN SITUATION, IT SOUNDS LIKE, JUST KEEP WRITING CHECKS. MY ISSUE SOUNDS THE SAME AS THE COUNTLESS OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED, MY ISSUE SHOULD BE COVERED SINCE SUZUKI IS MORE THAN AWARE THAT THESE ARE KNOWN ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10496628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Philadelphia, PA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND JOLTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS, ENGINE HEAD GASKET, AND TRANS RANGE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,500.

NHTSA complaint #10496374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles VA Beach, VA

ENGINE

STARTED CAR PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT, ALOUD "CLUNK" NOISE WAS MAID AND THE CAR HAD TROUBLE ACCELERATING. NOT IT OFTEN SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING OR WILL ONLY ACCELERATE IN THIRD.

NHTSA complaint #10496193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

ENGINE

IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS, I'VE HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL PARTS OF MY CAR THAT I DON'T BELIEVE IS PART OF REGULAR SERVICE MAINTENANCE. THERMOSTAT, COOLANT HOSE, SPARK PLUGS (TWICE IN A YEAR), BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHT BULBS (REPLACED TWICE IN A YEAR), TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND MOTOR MOUNTS BECAUSE OF THE TCM THAT MADE MY CAR JERK ALL THE TIME WHENEVER I ACCELERATE. EITHER AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR ON THE FREEWAY, MY CAR HESITATES TO ACCELERATE AND JERKS EVERY TIME I SHIFT GEARS. NOW, POSSIBLY THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS WITH THIS ONE). I'M AFRAID IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, I'LL BE SPENDING MORE ON CAR REPAIRS THAN THE CAR IS WORTH AND IT'S ONLY A 2008!

NHTSA complaint #10489600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,370 miles RIO Rancho, NM

ENGINE

THE CAR WILL NOT COME UP TO SPEED WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION JERKS VIOLENTLY AND CAR WILL NOT SPEED UP TO ENTER TRAFFIC SAFELY. TURN THE CAR OFF SERVICE LIGHT GOES AWAY, BACK INTO TRAFFIC AND SAME ISSUE. CAR WILL NOT GO TO SPEED TO ENTER TRAFFIC SAFELY!

NHTSA complaint #10475753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,000 miles ST Louis, MO

ENGINE

I AM THINKING OUR TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WENT OUT ON OUR 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA WITH OVER 70,000 MILES. CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN TURNED OFF ABOUT 3 DAYS AGO, STOPPED AT DRUG STORE, WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON, PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND CLUNK, WHILE THE DISPLAY WHERE THE R FOR REVERSE WOULD HAVE BEEN WAS SCRAMBLED, CAR STILL REVERSED. CLUNKED INTO DRIVE, AND WOULDN'T SWITCH OUT OF 1ST GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10469172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,895 miles Thonotosassa, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10429529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,000 miles Cosseyville, KS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE WOULD SHIFT ABNORMALLY, CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA complaint #10390104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Thonotosassa, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

I HAVE COMPLAINED CONSISTENTLY ABOUT THE VIBRATIONS AT IDLE AND THE LOUD NOISES IN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO FUMES COMING THRU MY VENTS THAT BURN MY EYES AT TIMES. ENDED UP IN THE ER ON ONE OCCASION AND THE NEXT DAY THE CAR HAD OIL ALL OVER THE VALVE GASKET COVER. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THEY SAID THEY SEEN NO OIL BUT I HAD PICS OF THE LEAK. STILL GET INTERMITTENT SMELLS OF GAS WHILE DRIVING THAT BURN MY EYES AND THROAT. THE ENGINE GETS HOT FAST AND THAT'S WHEN THE CAR STARTS TO ACCELERATE. SEEMS LIKE IT IS SEARCHING FOR GEARS AND THE RPMS REV UP. I CAN FEEL THE ENGINE IN MY DRIVERS SEAT REALLY BAD. MY WARRANTY IS ALMOST EXPIRED AND IT IS NOW 2011 AND THE CAR HAS BEEN IN TWICE FOR THE SAME COMPLAINTS. NOT TO MENTION HEARING THE STRUTS RATTLE OVER BUMPS AND WHILE MAKING TURNS. THEY REPLACED MY SUSPENSION TWICE. 1ST TIME WAS WHILE I ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR 2 MONTHS. I AM NOT GETTING NO RESULTS AND THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE. NOW I AM SCARED IF I WAS TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS CAR FOR THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND THE AIRBAGS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT REALLY BAD.

NHTSA complaint #10382843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,400 miles Tampa, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL JERKING SENSATION AND A MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BECAUSE PART IN STOCK. THIS FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,400.

NHTSA complaint #10369890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Whiting, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE UPHILL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND MADE A LOUD NOISE WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 57,000.

NHTSA complaint #10366595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Panama City, FM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

SMOKE AND FUMES COMING THRU VENTS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. PURCHASED CAR NEW 05/06/2008, I HAVE HAD PROBLEM SINCE A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE AND CAR STILL SLIPS AND HESITATES AND HAS CUT OFF TWICE WHILE IN TRAFFIC SINCE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. REPLACE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH WARRANTY DID NOT COVER. CAR HAS 29,500 MI. LOUD SQUEALING NOISE (THIS WAS WHY I PAID TO HAVE THE BELT REPLACED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER SAID THIS IS WHAT THE ORIGINAL SQUEALING WAS FROM) NOW THEY ARE SAYING THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE TIRES BUT STATED THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME TO CHECK IT. MY CAR WAS RECENTLY IN THE SERVICE CENTER FOR 3 WEEKS BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND THE FIRST NEW REPLACEMENT WENT BAD DURING THE TEST DRIVE AND THEY HAD TO PUT A 3RD TRANSMISSION INTHE CAR AND IT STILL DOES NOT DRIVE RIGHT. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE. I AM CLOSE TO WARRANTY ENDING AND I FEEL THIS IS WHY IM GETTING THE RUN AROUND BY THE DEALERSHIP. CAR LOCKS AND UNLOCKS ON ITS OWN. CAR WILL RANDOMLY MISS WHILE IN DRIVE (ENGINE WILL REV UP WHEN I PUSH THE GAS PEDAL WITH CAR IN DRIVE BUT WILL NOT MOVE) I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE AGAIN TO GET IT TO WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10336348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2008 Suzuki Forenza problems

← Full 2008 Suzuki Forenza report