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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

Electrical System complaints

32 reports
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116,000 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Electrical SystemTiresWheels

THE DOOR LOCKS KEEP MAKING A CLICKING NOISE EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT STARTED. HAVE TO TURN THEM OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE IT STOP BUT A FEW DAYS LATER IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I HAVE 4 BRAND NEW TIRES AND THE TIRE SENSOR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE KEEPS LOSING AIR. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND THERE IS NO LEAKS …

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THE DOOR LOCKS KEEP MAKING A CLICKING NOISE EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT STARTED. HAVE TO TURN THEM OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE IT STOP BUT A FEW DAYS LATER IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I HAVE 4 BRAND NEW TIRES AND THE TIRE SENSOR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE KEEPS LOSING AIR. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND THERE IS NO LEAKS ANYWHERE. THEY PUT AIR IN AND TIRE SENSOR LIGHT GOES OFF BUT WITHIN 30 MINUTES THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572741

20,000 miles · Oct 10, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train

MULTIPLE TIMES THE TRANSMISSION THUDS WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. DASH DISPLAY DOES NOT SHOW "R" BUT HAS AN "X" THROUGH IT. TURN CAR OFF AND ON ABOUT THREE TIMES TO TRY TO GET IT TO WORK PROPERLY. EVENTUALLY WORKS OK FOR A WHILE. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. CAR IS SLUGGISH TO DRIVE AFTER THIS HAPPENS AND ENGINE RE…

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MULTIPLE TIMES THE TRANSMISSION THUDS WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. DASH DISPLAY DOES NOT SHOW "R" BUT HAS AN "X" THROUGH IT. TURN CAR OFF AND ON ABOUT THREE TIMES TO TRY TO GET IT TO WORK PROPERLY. EVENTUALLY WORKS OK FOR A WHILE. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. CAR IS SLUGGISH TO DRIVE AFTER THIS HAPPENS AND ENGINE REVS TOO HIGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT GOES OFF IN A FEW DAYS. TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR IS BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547487

49,885 miles · Aug 22, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

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,…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536737

44,380 miles · Aug 22, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineService 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…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536723

25,000 miles · Jul 11, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train

WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION THUMPS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. CAR WILL ONLY DRIVE SLUGGISHLY. GOES AWAY EVENTUALLY, BUT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. LOOKING ON INTERNET, IT APPEARS TO BE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. ALSO, THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK FAILED, AND COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. US…

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WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION THUMPS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. CAR WILL ONLY DRIVE SLUGGISHLY. GOES AWAY EVENTUALLY, BUT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. LOOKING ON INTERNET, IT APPEARS TO BE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. ALSO, THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK FAILED, AND COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. USED THE OVER-RIDE HOLE TO GET CAR OUT OF PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524302

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2013
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

PLEASE HELP! MY 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA : IS GIVING SO MUCH PROBLEMS,I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG. WITH THE CAR,BUT THE LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME ,AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE,CAN YOU HELP ME?THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522063

60,000 miles · Dec 23, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

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…

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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 BE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. AFTER READING UP ON THE TRS, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING AS EARLY AS 30K MILES ON CARS SOME BOUGHT NEW. I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS ISSUE HAS ALSO CAUSED OTHER PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR (REDUCED GAS MILEAGE/BATTERY FAILURE) AND IS CAUSE FOR A FACTORY RECALL, AS ITS APPEARANCE IS WIDESPREAD AND THE EFFECTS ARE NUMEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489550

65,480 miles · Jun 24, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

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 W…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10462881

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…

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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

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

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.