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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

Tires complaints

4 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

45,000 miles · Feb 6, 2012
TiresWheels

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10446915

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

18,000 miles · Jul 6, 2009
Tires

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 ILLUMI…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10275825

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.