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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

Steering complaints

4 reports
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99,448 miles · Sep 25, 2015
SteeringFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,448.

NHTSA ODI #10777684

91,000 miles · Mar 17, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH, THE STEERING AND THE IGNITION SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE STEERING AND IGNITION TO RELEASE, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH, THE STEERING AND THE IGNITION SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE STEERING AND IGNITION TO RELEASE, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #10694899

99,000 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES EMERGED FROM UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FLAMES SPREAD THROUGH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MEC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES EMERGED FROM UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FLAMES SPREAD THROUGH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A WIRING MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10611032

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

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.