Page 3 of 4 · complaints 101–150 of 152

2008 Suzuki Forenza complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Dec 23, 201260,000 milesFL

ONE DAY, WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE, IT "CLUNKED" INTO GEAR, THE GEAR DISPLAY WAS SCRAMBLED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I SHUT MY CAR OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN, THINKING IT WAS A FLUKE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AND IT ALSO "CLUNKED" INTO DRIVE. WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE, THE RPM'S WERE 5-10 HIGHER THAN NORMAL AND IT TOOK A LITTLE LONGER TO "GET UP AND GO." SOMETIMES, MY CAR WILL INITIALLY RUN FINE UNTIL A FEW MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE, WHEN IT FALLS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING, THEN GOES BACK TO DRIVE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN, AND THE PROBLEMS RESURFACE. I TOOK IT TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTS AND THE MACHINE SAID TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM BUT THEY SAID THAT COULD MEAN ANYTHING AND WOULD BE FINE TO DRIVE. AFTER TAKEN OFF THE MACHINE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF, ONLY TO COME ON AGAIN THE NEXT TIME I DROVE IT. MY BROTHER (WHO HAS MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE) CLEANED THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR AND FILTER, HOPING IT WOULD HELP, BUT IT DIDN'T. AS I GO TO A SMALL TOWN COLLEGE THREE HOURS AWAY FROM HOME AND MAKE A 3 MINUTE DRIVE TO AND FROM CLASSES EVERYDAY, I LET IT BE FOR THE SEMESTER, INSISTING THAT IT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY. WELL, IT'S CHRISTMAS AND IT NEVER WENT AWAY; EACH DAY I DRIVE MY CAR IT PRESENTS ME WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY BROTHER TOOK MY CAR BACK TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTS AND THE MACHINE READ THE SAME ISSUES AS BEFORE, PLUS A POSSIBLE WIRE SHORT. THEY DIDN'T SUGGEST ANY FIXES SO HE CHECKED FOR SHORTS IN THE WIRES AND FOUND NONE. IT APPEARS IT MUST

Power Train
Filed Dec 23, 201294,979 milesOH

THE TCM SWITCH ON MY 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA WAS REPLACED IN NOVEMBER OF 2010 AND WAS FOUND BY AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER FOR SUZUKI AS BEING DEFECTED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SWITCH ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO FAIL ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE AT TIMES. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR WITHIN 30 DAYS OF BUYING THE CAR AND COMPLAINED ABOUT ACCELERATION. I WAS TOLD THE WAS NEW AND WOULD TAKE A LITTLE WHILE FOR THE PARTS TO WORK OUT THEIR NEWNESS. WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS THIS ISSUE PERSISTED AND WOULD CEASE TO HAPPEN AFTER TAKING THE CAR IN AND BEING TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND. THE ISSUE SEEMED TO GO AWAY AND WOULD RETURN AGAIN WITHIN 90 DAYS. I WAS EVEN TOLD THAT I WAS USED TO DRIVING CARS WITH BETTER PERFORMANCE AND MY PERCEPTION OF HOW THE CAR DRIVES WAS THE ISSUE. IT WAS ONLY AFTER GOING TO DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTER THAT I WAS TOLD THE TCMS ARE OFTEN REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE TO ACCELERATE ISSUE COULD ALSO BE THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. FAILURE TO ACCELERATE COULD HAPPEN AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP OR ACCELERATION ABOVE 40MPH. THE ISSUE RETURNED AFTER HAVING THE TCM SWITCH REPLACED WITHIN 90 DAYS AS IT HAD DONE AFTER EACH VISIT WHERE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND. THE INCIDENTS WERE INTERMITTENT AND IF LEFT PAST 90 DAYS WOULD INCREASE IN FREQUENCY. MY LATEST VISIT WAS TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP ON 7/14/12 WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE TCM SWITCH. WHEN ASKED TO SEE T

Power Train
Filed Nov 29, 201249,884 milesCA

COMING HOME LATE NIGHT AROUND 2ISH, WAITING AT A REDLIGHT MY CAR DOES A SUDDEN JERK, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND IM IN DRIVE (FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL) BUT IN THE DASH THE GEAR STARTS FLASHING AND INDICATING I WAS IN NEUTRAL BUT I WASN'T. LIGHT TURNS GREEN I GO TO PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATION AND MY CAR SEEMED LIKE IT BARELY WANTED TO DRIVE, AS IF IT NEEDED A PUSH. I DIDN'T DRIVE MY CAR FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND BECAUSE I WAS PARANOID. TOOK MY CAR IN THAT MONDAY ON OCTOBER 22ND 2012 (THEY HAD IT FOR 8DAYS), GOT MY CAR BACK ASSUMING THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, BUT HERE WE ARE A MONTH LATER, NOVEMBER 29TH 2012 AND MY CAR IT DOING THE SAME. I WAS DRIVING MAYBE ABOUT 30PMH AND I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT AND MY CAR DID A SOFT JERK AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND IT SEEM AS THOUGH MY CAR DIDN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE. SO I TURNED OFF THE CAR, WAITED FOR 10MINS OR SO, TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE LIGHT WAS GONE AND MY CAR WAS OKAY. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO MY JOB, THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS THE GEAR SENSOR/ TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. IM TAKING MY CAR IN AGAIN ON MONDAY DEC 3RD TO BE FIXED. I HAVE HAD MY CAR ALMOST 4 YEARS NOW, I STILL HAVE A WARRANTY AS WELL AND I JUST HIT THE 50,000MILE MARK. IM SCARED TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN TO ME OR OTHER PEOPLE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. SO I PRAY THE PROBLEM IS FIXED ON MONDAY. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER REVIEWS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT BLO

Power Train
Filed Sep 18, 201238,370 milesNM

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! *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 4, 201273,000 milesMO

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. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 17, 2012TN

TL CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE AUTO-PART STORE FOR A FREE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC AND TWO CODES WERE PRODUCED FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC.THE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR AND VOLT COALITION.CONTACT HAD 3 DAYS PRIOR WENT TO SAID AUTO-PART STORE WITH A DEAD BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY AN AUTO-PARTS REPRESENTATIVE.CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE NEGATIVE CABLE LOOSE AND THE POSITIVE SECOND. PUT POSITIVE BACK ON FIRST THE NEGATIVE. INSURING ALL CONTACTS WERE CLEAN OF EXCESS DEBRIS. 4 DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS RETURNED.SO AM TAKING TO THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS.CONTACT HOPES THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM BY ALLOWING THE DEALERSHIP TO EFFECT REPAIRS. TL CONTACT HAS READ PREVIOUS 2007 COMPLAINTS AND FEELS THAT A RECALL IS IN ORDER AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS.TL CONTACT WILL UPDATE AFTER DEALERSHIP EFFECTS REPAIRS. UPDATE FILE 06/24/2012 AMENDED JULY 16 2012 TL CONTACT HAD SAID PART VACUUM PEDAL POSITION SENSOR AND VOLT COALITION REPLACED. DEALERSHIP STATED SAID PART HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY SUZUKI CORP. (SEEMS TO ACKNOWLEDGE IS A PROBLEM) AND HAD 100% EFFECTIVE REPAIR WHEN MODIFIED PART IS REPLACED. TL CONTACT HAS NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SINCE REPAIR. TL CONTACT FEELS 700 PLUS DOLLARS FOR REPAIR IS SIGNIFICANT REASON FOR INVESTIGATION FOR RECALL AND SHOULD HAVE IN LEW OF OTHER TL CONTACTS SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD HAVE FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF ALL MONI

Power Train
Filed Jun 28, 201294,500 milesNC

AFTER BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I PUT MY CAR INTO DRIVE AND FELT A SUDDEN JOLT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND BARELY REACHED 20 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON UNTIL I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I TURNED MY CAR OFF, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OBVIOUSLY WENT OFF, HOWEVER IT DID NOT COME BACK ON WHEN THE MECHANIC TURNED THE CAR ON, NEITHER DID THE CAR JOLT WHEN CHANGING GEARS. I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY "TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR" HAD INTERNAL FAILURE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH I HAVE A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON POWER TRAIN, THIS APPARENTLY IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. MY ISSUE IS THAT IT IS A PROBLEM DEALING WITH THE TRANSMISSION HOWEVER IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY? *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 24, 201265,480 milesTN

TL CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE AUTO-PART STORE FOR A FREE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC AND TWO CODES WERE PRODUCED FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC.THE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR AND VOLT COALITION.CONTACT HAD 3 DAYS PRIOR WENT TO SAID AUTO-PART STORE WITH A DEAD BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY AN AUTO-PARTS REPRESENTATIVE.CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE NEGATIVE CABLE LOOSE AND THE POSITIVE SECOND. PUT POSITIVE BACK ON FIRST THE NEGATIVE. INSURING ALL CONTACTS WERE CLEAN OF EXCESS DEBRIS. 4 DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS RETURNED. SO AM TAKING TO THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. CONTACT HOPES THI WILL FIX THE PROBLEM BY ALLOWING THE DEALERSHIP TO EFFECT REPAIRS. TL CONTACT HAS READ PREVIOUS 2007 COMPLAINTS AND FEELS THAT A RECALL IS IN ORDER AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. TL CONTACT WILL UPDATE AFTER DEALERSHIP EFFECTS REPAIRS. 06/24/2012 *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 24, 201260,000 milesTX

THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WENT OUT THE FIRST TIME LAST YEAR. STARTED TO SHOW AN "X" OVER THE GEAR WHEN YOU SHIFTED, IT WOULD KICK, AND IT WOULD NOT ALLOW YOU TO OVER 35MPH EVEN WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS. WE REPLACED THE SENSOR IN OCT OF 2011. IT IS NOW APRIL 2012 AND THE SENSOR HAS GONE OUT AGAIN. THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT WIRE KEEPS GETTING SHORTED BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION UNDER THE SEAT. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 26, 2012CA

THE AIRBAG LIGHT SEEMS TO BE ON IT JUST TURNED ON WITHOUT A REASON, MEANING THAT WHILE I HAVE A PASSENGER THEY ARE NOT SAFE IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WONT DEPLOY IN CASE OF A CAR ACCIDENT, YESTERDAY SUNDAY MARCH ,26 I WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE AND WHEN I CAME BACK I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT SLAMMED REALLY HARD, THE SHIFT DISPLAY HAD A LIGHT THROUGH IT, AND I HAD HEARD ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, NOW THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS FOR SALE, TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR, SO RIGHT AFTER THE GROCERY STORE TOOK IT IN TO THE MECHANIC FOR A 373,00 REPAIR , NOW PAYING ITS NOT A MATTER BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EVEN AT HALF OF ITS LIFE AND THIS PROBLEM ITS ABSURD, NO AIRBAG, TRANSMISSION SHIFTING CRAZY JEOPARDIZING PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP, PLEASE MAKE SUZUKI PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE AT THE MANUFACTURING/ ASSEMBLY AND FAULTY PRODUCTS IF THEIR CARS ARE NOT SAFE THEY SHOULD NOT BE SOLD AT ALL OR THEY SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THEIR FAULTY VEHICLE PARTS .. HELP HELP HELP!!!! PLEASE *TR

Power Train
Filed Feb 24, 2012FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR SWITCH FAILED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND BACK INTO DRIVE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS NON-RESPONSIVE TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Wheels
Filed Feb 6, 201245,000 milesNC

I HAD BOUGHT 4 KUMHO ECSTA LX PLATINUM TIRES SIZE 195/55R 15...ONE BLEW UP AFTER NOT EVEN 2000 MILES, I HAD IT REPAIRED BUT I HAD TO PAY BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS MAYBE SOMETHING ON THE ROAD, THEN NOW AFTER NOT EVEN 14000 MILES THE OTHER 3 NEED REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE COMPLETELY WORE OUT, AND THE ONE THAT I REPLACED IS ALREADY HALF WAY BAD...VERY, VERY BAD TIRES...MY MECHANIC SENT THEM BACK BUT WE WILL SEE IF WE WILL GET ANY CREDIT. *TR

Power TrainCrash
Filed Jan 19, 201245,000 milesLA

TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO JUMP GEAR AND REAREND ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING 1800 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO PERSONAL VEHICLE AND UNKNOWN AMOUNT TO VEHICLE THAT WAS HIT. THIS SENSOR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER 3 TIMES PRIOR TO VEHICLE REACHING 36,000 MILES. AFTER ALOT OF RESEARCH MYSELF THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS TRANSMISSION SENSOR BEFORE SOMEBODY GET SERIOUSLY HURT!

Air Bags
Filed Dec 22, 201142,000 milesNC

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN CAR. HAD TO TAKE TO DEALER TO RESET. WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE SEAT WAS FAULTY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 20, 201164,000 milesMO

HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. $140 FIX BETWEEN PARTS AND LABOR. OF COURSE IT WASN'T UNDER THE 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 19, 201147,000 milesFL

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.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 3, 201135,800 milesFL

IN MID JULY MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD BY AN ASSOCIATE IT WOULD BE ATLEAST $1800.00 TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. MY VEHICLE WASN'T EVEN BROUGHT INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. UNABLE TO AFFORD A REPAIR OF THAT MAGNITUDE I'M CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DOESN'T DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. SEARCHING THE INTERNET I'VE NOTICED THIS ISSUE IS COMMON WITH SUZUKIS 05' AND UP. MINE BEING AN 08' MY WARRANTY EXPIRED THE SAME MONTH ABOUT 2WEEKS EARLIER SO THEY SAID THERE WASN'T ANYWAY AROUND THE $1800 CHARGE. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RECALLED SO A BASICALLY NEW CAR DOESN'T HAVE A FAULTY EXPENSIVE AND APPARENTLY EXTENSIVE REPAIR DUE WITHIN THE 36,000 MILE/3YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AND CONTACT SUZUKI MOTORS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 22, 201179,000 milesFL

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.

Power Train
Filed Nov 4, 201150,100 milesWV

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

Power Train
Filed Oct 15, 201150,782 milesNY

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 11, 201131,895 milesFL

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

Power Train
Filed Sep 26, 201146,000 milesCO

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.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 16, 201144,000 milesMO

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

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Aug 5, 201130,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP IT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GLASS WINDOW. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND UNDER CARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP FOR AN ESTIMATE OF THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 10/04/11*LJ

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 16, 201136,000 milesNC

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.

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed Jun 14, 20116,211 milesOH

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 T

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 11, 201134,100 milesFL

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 12, 201126,526 milesWI

THE CAR HESITATES DURING COLD START UP. THE CAR ALSO JUMPS OUT OF GEAR WHILE I'M DRIVING AND HAS LED TO SEVERAL NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS WHERE BOTH ME AND MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. TRYING TO GET HELP FROM THE AMERICAN SUZUKI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE IS A JOKE. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS BAD AND EVERY TIME YOU CALL BACK TO FOLLOW-UP THE PERSON THAT WAS HANDLING YOUR CASE MYSTERIOUSLY QUITS. ALL THEY DO IS JERK YOU AROUND UNTIL THE BASIC WARRANTY EXPIRES AND YOU'RE NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM. AFTER THIS ALL REPAIRS ARE OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO GET REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. I HAVE HAD TWO NEW TRANSMISSIONS PUT IN AND MY CAR ONLY HAS 29,856 MILES ON IT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE; IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I GUESS THIS IS WHY SUZUKI WAS SO QUICK TO DISCONTINUE MANUFACTURING THIS VEHICLE THE SAME YEAR IT WAS PRODUCED. I WANT SUZUKI TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND EITHER REPLACE IT OR REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE CAR. I REFUSE TO PASS THIS PROBLEM ON TO ANOTHER CONSUMER. THE DEALERSHIPS CLEARLY MISREPRESENTED THE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF THIS VEHICLE. ITS NOT FAIR THAT CONSUMERS ARE GETTING RIPPED OFF AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE!! *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 6, 201153,714 milesPA

MY 08 FORENZA HESITATES DURING COLD START UP. NO CODES SHOW. IT HAS 58000 MILES (TIMING BELT DUE IN A FEW THOUSAND), 5 SPEED STICK , DRIVEN 90 MILES ONE WAY EVERY 3 THIRD DAY. IT DID DIE ON THE HIGHWAY BACK IN JANUARY '11 , CEL CAME ON, WENT INTO LIMP MODE,I DIDN'T SHUT DOWN FOR FEAR OF COMPLETELY DYING IT WAS TOWED TO DEALER. PULLED CODES P2106, P2110, AND P0835 FROM COMPUTER. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG OTHER THAN CODES. SINCE THEN HESITATION HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO IDLE NORMALLY ALL THAT WELL EVEN AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL HOURS (SEEMS LIKE TPS IS STICKING RUNS AROUND 2000 FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS AFTER COMING TO A STOP). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 14, 201173,000 milesKS

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 21, 201177,000 milesGA

I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SENSORS IN MY 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA FROM THE FIRST WEEK I BOUGHT IT. THERE HAS BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER AND THE WARRANTY IS BOGUS. THIS COMPANY HAS RIPPED OFF TONS OF CONSUMERS WHICH IS PROBABLY WHY THEY DECIDED TO NOT MAKE THIS CAR ANYMORE. I AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION SENSOR WHICH CAUSES MY CAR TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. THE OTHER DAY IT DID THAT AND ANOTHER CAR ALMOST REAR ENDED ME IN THE BACK! WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THEY HADN'T OF STOPPED? ME AND MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I GUESS THAT'S WHAT SUZUKI IS WAITING ON FOR SOMEONE TO LITERALLY DIE BEFORE THEY WILL ADMIT THAT THE PARTS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE DEFECTIVE AND NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED IT WILL BECOME FAULTY AGAIN. IM SURE THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS MADE TO THE COMPANY BUT NOONE EVER CALLS YOU BACK OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGES THAT YOUR CONCERNS ARE REAL. MOST CONSUMERS EITHER HURRY UP AND UNLOAD THIS LEMON OR WIND UP SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLAR TO KEEP IT HALF WAY RUNNING. I REFUSE TO PASS THIS JUNK OFF FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO GO THROUGH THE HEADACHES AND HEARTACHE I HAVE HAD AND IF ITS THE LAST THING I DO IM GOING TO OUT SUZUKI FOR THE WORST CAR COMPANY THAT THEY ARE. THEIR DEALERSHIPS ARE RIPOFFS TOO. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BLATANT LYING TO CONSUMERS AND THEN THE HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AFTER THEY HAVE CLEARLY SOLD YOU A LEMON. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Feb 15, 2011FL

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. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 10, 2011100,666 milesFL

2008 SUZUKI FORENZA AUTO TRANSMISSION CODE 783 3 4 MALFUNCTION 100,666 MILES COST $1300.00 OUT OF WARRANTY BY 666 MILES SERVICE BULLETIN WRITTEN IN JAN 2008 FOR ALL SUZUKI TRANSMISSIONS TO DEALERS HAD TO REPLACE TCM MODULE AT 55,000 MILES FOR NOT SHIFTING GEARS. WHAT A JOKE THAT SUZUKI WOULD HELP WITH $525 DOLLARS OF REPAIR. NOT FULL $1300.00 . THIS TRANSMISSION IS SEALED AND YOU CAN NOT SERVICE FLUID LEVELS UNLESS YOU ARE A DEALER NO USER LEVEL CHECKS POSSIBLE. THEY WILL ONLY GIVE A 12,000 MILE OR 12 MONTH WARRANTY ONLY ON CLUTCHES AND DRUMS REPLACED NOT TOTAL TRANS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 10, 201042,400 milesFL

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.

Power Train
Filed Dec 8, 201046,835 milesNJ

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS PUT ON MACHINE AND GOT A PO700 AND PO705 WHICH REQUIRED A SENSOR WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON A BRAND NEW CAR. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN DONE ON THIS BECAUSE MY WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THIS DO TO NOT BEING INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO SUZUKI'S RULES.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 17, 201057,000 milesNJ

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 12, 201041,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO THE DRIVE POSITION AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED AND RESTARTED. THERE WERE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO PROCEED PROPERLY WITHOUT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER SERVICE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Power TrainFire
Filed Oct 28, 2010TX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE VENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEGUN SLIPPED AND WOULD NOT STAY IN THE DRIVE GEAR. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED SINCE AUGUST 2010. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 13, 201051,094 milesTN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 20 MINUTES IN WHICH THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,094.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 15, 20105,000 milesFM

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. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Feb 13, 201011,942 milesPA

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN SOMEONE SITS IN PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 27, 201016,000 milesME

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASH INTO THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR INJURIES SUFFER TO THE NECK AND BACK. DURING THE CRASH THE FRAME WAS DAMAGE AND THE ENGINE MOVED. THE CONTACT FEELS THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED SINCE THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH WAS SEVERE. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. UPDATED 3/24/10 *CN UPDATED 05/10/10*JB

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Dec 18, 200920 milesNV

WE HAVE A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT ACTIVATE WITH SOMEONE OF AN APPROPRIATE WEIGHT SITTING IN THE SEAT WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. IF THE CAR IS RUNNING WHEN SOMEONE SITS DOWN SOMETIMES IT WILL GO OFF. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 4- 5 TIMES AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK FOR THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. YOUR HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 19, 200918,000 milesGA

I HAVE A 2008 FORENZA, MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME BOUT 3 OR 4 WKS AGO AFTER A DAY, IT WENT OFF. NOW YESTERDAY NOV. 18TH ITS CAME ON AGAIN AN THIS TIME IT DOESN'T GO OFF. NOW AFEW MONTHS AGO I HAD TO GO TO PUGMIRE IN MARIETTA, FOR MY SEAT BELT PROBLEM, AN THEY WERE REAL HATEFUL, WHEN THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS WARRANTY. THEY SHOULDN'T GOT MAD OR MEAN THEY STILL GET PD FOR WARRANTY. CAN U HELP ME OUT? IT SCARES ME TO DRIVE IT LIKE THAT. THANKS TINA DILLARD *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 21, 200918,261 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MISCLASSIFIED AN ADULT AS A CHILD. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT OR THE SENSOR. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18261.

Tires
Filed Jul 6, 200918,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE VEHICLE HAS KUMHO ECSTA HP4 TIRES, SIZE 195/55/R15 (NA). WHEN THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES VIBRATED AND WOBBLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY DID NOT FIND ANY FAILURES OR HOLES IN THE TIRES. THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VIBRATIONS CONTINUED. THE DEALER ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRES AT THE COST OF $40. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SCREW IN THE TIRES, WHICH THE DEALER PLUGGED. THE VIBRATIONS WORSENED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THERE WERE NO OTHER REPAIRS MADE TO THE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Jun 24, 200944,585 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2008, THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE SENSORS IN HER VEHICLE. THE FIRST SENSOR LIGHT ISSUE WAS RELATED TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE GAS CAP NOT BEING TIGHTENED. THE SECOND ISSUED DEALT WITH THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT A FUSE WAS CAUSING THE FAILURES. THE FUSES WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2008; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT IS STILL EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE SENSOR LIGHTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,585.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed May 13, 20099,000 milesCA

PURCHASED THE CAR ON 2/12/2009. UPON USE, I FOUND THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR TO BE DEFECTIVE. ONLY PASSENGERS OF 140+ POUNDS OR SO CONSISTENTLY TRIGGER THE SENSOR, WHICH ACTIVATES THE AIRBAG. FOR PASSENGERS WHO WEIGH LESS THAN 140 LBS, THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS NOT TRIGGERED, THUS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES NOT ACTIVATE. I HAD THREE SEPARATE PEOPLE FROM 100LB TO 120LB SIT IN THE CAR AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT ACTIVATE FOR ANY OF THE THREE PASSENGERS. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE SENSOR SHOULD BE TRIGGERED BY A PASSENGER WEIGHING 54 LB OR MORE. I HAVE GONE TO THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES, MADE MULTIPLE CALLS TO SUZUKI NATIONAL, AND APPLIED FOR MEDIATION THROUGH A SUZUKI SPONSORED PROGRAM (WHICH WENT NOWHERE). SUZUKI DID NOT PROPERLY INSPECT THE VEHICLE (180LB MECHANIC SAID SINCE IT WORKS FOR HIM, ITS NOT DEFECTIVE), THEY NO IGNORE MY PHONE CALLS AND SAID IT IS NOT BROKEN AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE SENSOR. MY CAR IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK TO PASSENGERS. I HAVE ALSO FOUND MULTIPLE PEOPLE ONLINE, WITH THE SAME CAR AND PROBLEM, WHO ALSO ARE RECEIVING RUDE SERVICE FROM SUZUKI AND HAVE NOT HAD THEIR PROBLEM REPAIRED EITHER. SUZUKI NEEDS TO REPAIR THIS DEFECTIVE COMPONENT OR ISSUE A RECALL. MY CAR IS UNUSABLE, AND MY NEXT STEP IS TO GO TO COURT TO ATTEMPT TO RECOVER THE MONEY I SPENT ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 7, 200920,000 milesFL

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH MY CAR REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS BROKEN DOWN AT NIGHT AND I DID NOT SEE. THE CAR MADE IMPACT ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND ACCORDING TO THE COLLISION CENTER, SUSTAINED 70% WORTH OF DAMAGE. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE IMPACT WAS ENOUGH SO THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BENT. I SUSTAINED HEAD, FACE, NECK, AND KNEE INJURIES. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED AT ANY TIME. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 7, 200920,000 milesFL

****THIS IS FOR AN EARLIER COMPLAINT FILED (ODI#10261017) TO CORRECT AN E-MAIL ADDRESS. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2008 Suzuki Forenza → · Every Forenza year → · How the figures are calculated →