SERVICE BRAKES
MY CAR START AND DRIVE WHEN I DROVE AND THEN STOP HARD BY ITSELF LIKE BRAKE. I COULD NOT KEEP PRESS GAS WHEN ITSELF STOP HARD. ON ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #11004239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Suzuki Forenza brake problems
25 of the 1,360 complaints filed about the Suzuki Forenza are about the braking system — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.
25
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
Brakes complaints by model year
What owners said
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING MY SUZUKI FORENZA 2004 IT DOESN'T ACCELERATE AND ALL IN A QUICK SUDDEN COMES TO A QUICK STOP AS THOUGH SOMEONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES,WHILE ON A MAJOR ROAD WAY. DANGEROUS IM SCARED TO DRIVE THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION I HAVE
NHTSA complaint #10927035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE 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 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.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE CALIPERS STUCK ON THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR CATCHING THE FRONT WHEELS ON FIRE. THIS ALL CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP SUDDENLY ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROADWAY SAFELY. IT TURNS OUT THE BRAKE HOSE LINES COLLAPSED INSIDE CAUSING THE CALIPERS TO LOCK UP. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10552884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
SERVICE BRAKES
I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN OFF OF A BUSY STREET ONTO A SIDE STREET. AS I WENT TO SPEED UP TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH THE CAR SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES ITSELF, MY FOOT WAS ON THE GAS. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE FOR 20 SECONDS AND THEN PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS TO TRY TO DRIVE AGAIN. THE CAR AGAIN SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PUT CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A SAFE SPOT. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. WHAT IF I HAD STILL BEEN ON THE MAIN ROAD?
NHTSA complaint #10490570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2007 Suzuki Forenza
SAN Antonio, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL! TRANSMISSION WILL RANDOMLY NOT GO ANYWHERE (SOMETIMES IT WORKS SOMETIMES IT DOSENT) I HAD TO SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY INTO A PERSONS YARD SO AVOID AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10469122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TRYING TO SHIFT INTO GEAR THE CAR JERKS AND THE DISPLAY BLINKS, NOT INDICATING WHAT GEAR THE CAR IS IN. THE ONLY GEARS THAT SHOW ARE D AND P. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE CAR MOVES VERY SLOWLY AND DOESN'T GO ANY FASTER THAN 35-40 MPH. DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOW IT IS THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND THINKS IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE DEALER NOT THE CONSUMER. THIS CAR HAS ONLY HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE BEGINNING AND THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO REALIZE THIS AND ASSUME SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT.
NHTSA complaint #10430292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LINE FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON, REMAIN ON OR NOT COME ON AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED HE SHOULD CONTACT NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
NHTSA complaint #10395758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
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 THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WHEN THE CARE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE UNDER WARRANTY AND "AMERICAS BEST POWERTRAIN" BUT EVERYTHING IN THE CAR THAT IS GOING BAD, ISN'T COVERED! MY 2007 SUZUKI FORENZA SUCKS!
NHTSA complaint #10368535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE DOORS WERE ENGAGED TO OPEN, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND THEY REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT FULLY RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE CONTACT APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,500.
NHTSA complaint #10356653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, EVEN WHEN HIS FOOT WAS NOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE COVERED IN THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10236208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 2006 AS A BRAND NEW CAR WITH ONLY 77 MILES ON IT, SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SERVICE DEPT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE FIRST TIME BEING, LAST YEAR WHEN THERE WAS OIL LEAKING ALL OUT FROM THE BOTTOM, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPT, IT WAS THE SEAL, A BRAND NEW CAR AND THE SEAL JUST SUDDENLY STARTS LEAKING OIL EVERYWHERE? THE LAST SEVERAL INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN, NOISES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL, VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOISES AND RUBBING WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE STEERING RACK, SO WE WERE PUT IN A RENTAL AND WAITED FOR THE CAR TO BE FIXED, BEFORE MY HUSBAND EVEN PULLED OUT OF THE LOT WITH IT AFTER BEING FIXED, IT WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING, SO BACK IT WENT, WE GET IT BACK, DRIVE IT A FEW DAYS, STILL THE SAME THING, SO HERE WE GO AGAIN WITH ANOTHER RENTAL, GET THE CAR BACK, SAME THING AGAIN, AND YET ANOTHER RENTAL, NOW WHILE WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR SOMETHING, OUR CAR GETS HIT WHILE AT THE SERVICE DEPT BY SOMEONE STEALING ANOTHER VEHICLE, OF WHICH NO ONE CALLED AND TOLD US, WE FOUND OUT WHEN WE CALLED TO SEE WHAT WAS UP WITH OUR CAR, SO NOW IS IT NOT ONLY STILL AT THE SERVICE DEPT BUT NOW IT IS IN THE BODY SHOP, THIS IS RIDICULOUS, THIS CAR IS OBVIOUSLY A "LEMON" AND NEEDS TO BE PULLED FROM THE MARKET AND ANYONE WHO HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF BUYING ONE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED OR GIVEN ANOTHER VEHICLE EQUIVALENT TO OR BETTER THEN THIS ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10204267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES OR JERKS FORWARD WHEN HE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT. SHE MUST SHIFT INTO PARK IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, SHE HEARS A THUMPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG, HOWEVER, THEY ADVISED HER TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. THE SECOND TIME SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 12-12-07.
NHTSA complaint #10202811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR ON 1/30/2006, IT STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS,SUCH AS NOT STARTING UP, THE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. THE POWER WINDOWS ROLLING UP AND DOWN BY THEMSELVES. THE POWER LOCKS STOP WORKING AND THEN WORK OVER AND OVER AGAIN. WHEN I'M DRIVING, THE CAR JERKS AND PULLS ALL THE TIME. (THE PULLING IS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION). I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO AND I FEEL REAL BAD ABOUT GETTING STUCK WITH A LEMON. AFTER I GET OUT OF SCHOOL I TAKE CLASSES AT NIGHT AND MY KIDS GO TO THE DAYCARE ON CAMPUS WHEN I PICKED THEM UP AFTER CLASS, GOT IN THE CAR, STARTED IT UP, AND THE FRONT TWO WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN BY THEMSELVES, AND WOULD NOT ROLL UP AND IT WAS SNOWING AND WE HAD TO RIDE ALL THE WAY HOME LIKE THAT. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T CARE. AS FAR AS THEY ARE CONCERNED, IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. IT IS A MESSED UP WORLD WE LIVE IN WHERE SOMEONE KNOWS THAT YOU REALLY NEED A CAR AND THEY SCREW YOU WITH A LEMON. UNTIL THIS PRESENT DAY, ALL THESE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED STILL EXIST BUT SO DO ME AND MY SON-3 AND MY DAUGHTER-6 IF ANYBODY CAN HELP, IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10184112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. ON 11/15/06, THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORN DOWN BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT EVEN IF THE PADS WERE WORN DOWN, THE DEALER NEEDED TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PADS WAS PRODUCING DEFECTIVE BRAKE PADS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 14000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10173579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN THE MORNING WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING PRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM BUT BELIEVED IT MAY HAVE BEEN A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT WAS AGGRAVATED BY THE CLIMATE UPDATED 6/16/2006 - THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR BACK ND GAVE THE CONSUMER FULL CREDIT TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10158783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I BOUGHT A SUZUKI FORENZA 2005 FOR MY MOTHER LAST AUGUST. SHE DROVE THIS CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE A SINGLE PROBLEM. IN JANUARY SHE WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION AND HER CAR WOULD NOT STOP. SHE DROVE THROUGH THE RED LIGHT BUT IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING AND THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. SLOWLY HER CAR STOPPED. 2 WEEKS PASSED AND SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ABOUT A MONTH PASSED, SHE WAS APPROACHING THE RED LIGHT AND HER CAR WOULD NOT STOP. SHE CALLED ME. SHE WAS CRYING AND SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I CALLED GOOD YEAR IN CT AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE BRAKES. AT THE GOOD YEAR THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. ON APRIL 1, SHE WAS DRIVING TO HER SCHOOL AND HER CAR WOULD NOT STOP AGAIN. WE TOOK CAR TO SUZUKI GARAGE IN NORWICH, CT. I SPOKE WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVE ALMOST EVERY DAY FOR A WEEK. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY TOOK A CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES AND BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE NEXT TIME SHE IS GOING TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM BRING THIS CAR TO THEM. I CALLED THEIR CORPORATE NUMBER. I SPOKE WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE FIRST AND THEN I SPOKE WITH THEIR SUPERVISOR MARY SMITH. SHE TOLD ME IF THE SUZUKI MECHANIC CLEARED A VEHICLE THEN THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. MY MOTHER PICKED HER VEHICLE ON APRIL 8. ON APRIL 13, I MY MOTHER CALLED. SHE HAD AN ACCIDENT. I SPOKE TO TALK TO THE POLICE OFFICER. I WAS TRYING TO TELL POLICE OFFICER THAT THIS CAR HAS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. HE TOLD ME THAT HE SAW A RECEIPT FROM SUZUKI THAT THE BRAKES WORKED GREAT. I TOLD HIM THAT THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN 2.5 MONTHS. THIS CAR IS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD AND MY MOTHER IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I FEEL THAT SUZUKI FAILED TO HELP ME.
NHTSA complaint #10156801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.