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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

Power Train complaints

79 reports
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26,526 miles · May 12, 2011
Power Train

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10400592

53,714 miles · Apr 6, 2011
Power Train

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. P…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10394426

77,000 miles · Feb 21, 2011
Power Train

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 SENS…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10383892

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10382843

100,666 miles · Jan 10, 2011
Power Train

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10375499

46,835 miles · Dec 8, 2010
Air BagsPower Train

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 BE…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10370135

41,000 miles · Nov 12, 2010
Power Train

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 PROP…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10365426

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2010
Power TrainFire

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 A…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10362797

5,000 miles · Jun 15, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

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 WARRANT…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10336348

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.