2005 Suzuki Forenza Engine Problems

TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR MALFUNCTION. CAR WON'T ACCELERATE OR GO ABOVE 1ST GEAR. $160 TO REPLACE. KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11354154

Incident

Sep 8, 2020

Mileage

50,802 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHEN THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION IT IS HOT, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIP OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AMERICA'S MOTOR SPORTS (930 8TH AVE S, NASHVILLE, TN 37203, (615) 834-8990) FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE KEY BECAME HOT WHENEVER IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. *TT*JB

NHTSA ID

11204011

Incident

Apr 15, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH STARTING. THE DEALER (GERMAIN TOYOTA OF NAPLES, 13315 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34110) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED PRIOR TO BEING REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V262000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 12V397000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000.

NHTSA ID

11084775

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

Mileage

33,000 mi

I BOUGHT A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THESE CARS ARE SO HAZARDOUS. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER MY PURCHASE, THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO REVERSE ON THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET IT OUT OF REVERSE AND COAST TO THE SHOULDER. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THIS IS AN ONGOING DEFECT THAT, AND THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT SUZUKI HAS BEEN MADE AWARE BUT SITS BACK AND DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT. THIS CAR HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING DEADLY AND NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE MARKET SO THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME AREN'T FORCED TO DRIVE SOMETHING SO UNSAFE. I CAN'T AFFORD THE COSTLY REPAIRS AND I CAN'T SELL THIS CAR. I AM SCARED TO DEATH THAT IN ONE OF THE MANY STALLS SOME ONE IS GOING TO HIT ME. IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ON THE MARKET TO START WITH. I AM CONFIDENT THAT IF SOMEONE HASN'T ALREADY BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE CAR THAT THEY WILL BE.

NHTSA ID

10888511

Incident

Jul 8, 2016

Mileage

175,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SHOOK FORCEFULLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE'S OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE UP, SO HE HAD THE TUNE UP REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ID

10885544

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

51,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, THE HEADLIGHTS, AND THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURN ON THE RIGHT LEG THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V262000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,115.

NHTSA ID

10736004

Incident

Jul 22, 2015

Mileage

119,115 mi

FUSE FOR ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM BLEW AND CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO BLOW INTO PIECES. REPLACED RADIATOR, REPLACED BOTH COOLING SYSTEM FANS, CHECKED RELAYS, 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT NOW IT BLOWS THE COOLING SYSTEM FUSE AS SOON AS YOU TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

10725664

Incident

Aug 12, 2014

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FOUL ODOR EMITTING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10669540

Incident

May 1, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,437. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10651308

Incident

Oct 29, 2014

Mileage

23,437 mi

RECURRING EVENT AIR BAG LAMP KEEPS TURNING ON NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT HAD IT REPLACED TWICE SUZUKI DEALER WAS OFF FOR YEARS, NOW HAS COME BACK AND STAYED ON FOR MONTHS. ON 3/20/2014 CAR SPUTTER LOST POWER WAS ABLE TO PARK IT IN A PARKING SPACE NOT ABLE TO TURN BACK ON, PROBLEM FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. 8/28/2014 RECENTLY, WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, MY SUZUKI FORENZA 2005 LOST COMPLETE POWER: WHEN CHECKED THE BELIEVED PROBLEM IS 4-3 SHIFT MALFUNCTION P1884 MANUFACTURER CONT TRANS AND P0700 TRANS CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME TO GET A HOLD OF SUZUKI, TO SEE IF UNDER WARRANTY, IF ITS GOING TO BE RECALLED OR WHERE IT CAN BE REPAIRED, STILL TRYING TO GET A HOLD OF THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10629905

Incident

Mar 20, 2014

Mileage

74,723 mi

MY CAR LOSES POWER WHILE CAR IN MOTION, ALSO, AC WILL NOT POWER ON , BUT AFTER SOME TIME IT WILL POWER ON. MALFUNCTION LIGHT STAYS ON AT TIMES, AND WILL GO OFF AT TIMES, BUT FOR NOW IT IS ON , AND HAS BEGAN TO BLINK. CAR HAS BURNING SMELL AT TIMES AS WELL, LIKE PLASTIC IS BURNING OR SOMETHING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10629007

Incident

Sep 27, 2013

WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOPPED FOR MORE THAN A MINUTE AND ITS HOT OUTSIDE, THE CAR WILL JUST TURN OFF. IF I PUT IT IN PARK IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP. IT ONLY SEEMS TO DO THIS WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. MECHANIC HAS REPLACED AND LOOKED EVERYTHING OVER AND CANNOT SEEM TO FIND ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10593724

Incident

Jan 6, 2014

AFTER FIRST PURCHASING THE CAR, THERE WERE PROBLEMS ACCELERATING AND THEN CAR FAILED. POWER STEERING HAD TO BE FIXED, TIMING BELT REPLACED. A FEW MONTHS LATER SPEAKERS STARTED TO GO IN AND OUT, RADIO LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF, ETC. IN 2010 HEADLIGHTS FAILED. BEING A BROKE COLLEGE STUDENT I RODE WITH MY BRIGHTS FOR ALMOST A YEAR UNTIL I LOOKED UP THE RECALL ONLINE AND GOT THAT FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP. 2011 REPLACED SPEAKERS, STILL DON'T WORK ON ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF CAR AND BACK OF DRIVER SIDE. ONE SPEAKER WORKS, VERY WEAK AND SOMETIMES GOES OUT COMPLETELY. INTERIOR LIGHTS GO IN AND OUT. STARTED TO LEAK OIL, HAD TO HAVE HEAD GASKET REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, THEN HAD TO HAVE RADIATOR HOSE REPLACED. 2012 TIMING BELT POPS, ENGINE DAMAGED COSTING ALMOST $2000. TODAY DECEMBER 2012, RADIATOR CRACKS ALL THE WAY OPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF HOLIDAY TRAFFIC. TERRIBLE HORRIBLE CAR TO BE A 2005. SEEMS LIKE I CAN'T GO A MONTH WITHOUT SOMETHING ELSE GOING WRONG. FEELS UNSAFE AT ALL TIMES! *TR

NHTSA ID

10489508

Incident

Jun 17, 2009

Mileage

55,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ABRUPTLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED WHIPLASH FROM THE JERKING MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE ENGINE BEARINGS HAD SEIZED AND THE IDLE PULLEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000.

NHTSA ID

10436098

Incident

Nov 5, 2011

Mileage

89,000 mi

I BOUGHT A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA IN THE WINTER OF 2006. THE CAR WAS SOLD TO ME WITH NO REAR DEFROSTER SYSTEM SO THAT WINTER I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE SNOW WITH A COMPLETELY BLIND REAR VIEW AND WAS INCONVENIENCED INTO RETURNING IT FOR REPAIR. THE BEGINNING OF 2008 IS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A WEEK BEFORE MY STATE INSPECTION AND I HAD TO GET AN OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE TREAD CAME OFF MY FRONT TIRES (2 YEARS OLD MIND YOU) AND I HAD TO REPLACE THOSE. IN MAY OF 2008, THE BATTERY IN THE CAR DIED AND THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN AUGUST OF 2008, THE HEADLIGHTS IN THE SUZUKI DIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS AND DOCUMENTS TO BACK THIS UP AS WELL. ON APRIL 30, 2009, MY CAR STARTED TO BUCK BACK AND FORTH WILDLY THREATENING TO STALL. TWO WEEKS LATER ON MAY 13, THEY TELL ME THAT THE CAR IS COVERED UNDER THE POWER WARRANTY AND THEY WILL REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. ON FRIDAY MAY 15, THEY SAY ITS NOT JUST THE HEAD GASKET BUT AN EMISSION HOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK AND HAVE ORDERED IT FOR MONDAY, MAY 18 IN WHICH THE CAR SHOULD BE READY. I RETURN MY RENTAL CAR READY TO PICK UP MY CAR WHEN I GET A CALL THAT MONDAY MORNING STATING THAT WHEN THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS PUT BACK TOGETHER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL CAME ON AND THEY DISASSEMBLED THE ENGINE AGAIN AND DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE CYLINDER HEAD WHICH HAD COMPROMISED THE COOLANT SYSTEM. NOW, THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE PROOF THAT I HAD CHANGED THE COOLANT IN THE SYSTEM. OF COURSE, I CAN NOT LOCATE THAT RECEIPT, BUT ITS AMAZING TO ME THAT ITS TAKEN NEARLY A MONTH TO COME UP WITH THIS DIAGNOSIS AND NOW I'M BEING ASKED TO PAY FOR THIS LEMON WITH ONLY 3 YEARS ON IT AND 35,000 MILES. I TOOK A 4 YEAR FINANCE LOAN DEAL ON THIS AND I STILL HAVE TO PAY $5000 ON A CAR THAT HAS NEEDED WORK ON MULTIPLE LOCATION. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO STANDING BY YOUR WORK? THOMAS SUZUKI OF PORT JEFFERSON NY IS A DISGRACE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10269341

Incident

Apr 30, 2009

Mileage

35,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10219817

Incident

Mar 1, 2008

Mileage

25,000 mi

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA WITH A CURRENT MILEAGE OF 18,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE PASTED THE 15,000 MILE MARK IT HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 20 DEGREES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ONCE THE VEHICLE STARTED UNDER THESE COLD CONDITIONS IT WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD BEEN CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

10187650

Incident

Apr 10, 2007

Mileage

15,000 mi

THIS IS A ROUGH DRAFT OF THE LETTER I WILL BE SENDING TO SUZUKI: I BOUGHT MY SUZUKI FORENZA IN FEBRUARY OF 2005. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR THREE TIMES TO SUZUKI OF WEST BROWARD FOR AN OIL LEAK. THE FIRST TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD AN AFTERMARKET OIL FILTER (FROM MEINEKE). I HAD MY DOUBTS THAT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I AUTHORIZED THAT THEY CHANGE THE OIL FILTER. WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR HOME IT WAS STILL LEAKING. I WAS CHARGED $28.04 FOR THE SERVICE THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A POROUS OIL PAN. I WAS NOT REFUNDED (NOR OFFERED TO BE REFUNDED) MY $28.04 FOR THE OIL CHANGE AND FILTER CHANGE. THE PARTS WERE NOT IN STOCK AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD ARRIVE THE SAME WEEK. THEY ARRIVED THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY AFTERNOON. THE OIL PAN WAS REPLACED. THE CAR WAS STILL LEAKING OIL. I TOOK IT A THIRD TIME AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. BESIDES THE OIL LEAK, THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN MAKING A HUMMING SOUND WHEN I WOULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM I TOOK TO BILL SEIDLES SUZUKI IN MIAMI. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS DIRTY. THIS SEEMED TO WORK FOR SOME TIME BUT NOW THERE IS STILL A LOWER HUM. BEFORE THESE TWO SETBACKS, THERE WERE MINOR PROBLEMS THAT AROSE AFTER THE 36,000 MILE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. A BULB WENT OUT IN THE DASH AND THE FOG-LIGHT BULBS WOULD CONTINUOUSLY BURN OUT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A GROUNDING PROBLEM IN THE CAR THAT PRODUCES INTERFERENCE ON THE RADIO DIRECTLY RELATED TO MY ACCELERATION OF THE CAR. AFTER THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING THIS CAR, IT HAS BEEN PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE CENTERS FOR SUZUKI IN SOUTH FLORIDA ARE OF THE POOREST QUALITY. THERE IS NO ATTENTION AND IT SEEMS THAT PARTS ARE NEVER AVAILABLE AT THE FACILITIES FOR REPAIRS. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF SUZUKI AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE COMPANY.

NHTSA ID

10180894

Incident

Jan 1, 2006

Mileage

53,000 mi

I TRIED TO RENEW MY TAGS BUT WAS DENIED PENDING VERIFICATION OF COMPLETION OF MANUFACTURERS RECALL. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW FROM A DEALER 09/05. I CALLED SUZUKI WITH THE VIN. THEY HAD ALL THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON RECORD BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL WHICH EFFECTS THE SMOG SYSTEM OF MY CAR. THEY TOLD ME ON THE PHONE THERE IS AN "OPEN RECALL" ON MY 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA, RECALL #DG. IT INVOLVES THE FUEL VAPOR VALVES, SO OBVIOUSLY CALIFORNIA WON'T ISSUE ME TAGS UNTIL IT IS FIXED. YOU DON'T EVEN LIST THIS RECALL ON YOUR SITE AND YOU ARE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE US GOVERNMENT! WHY DO YOU NOT LIST IT? SUZUKI TOLD ME TO CHECK YOUR SITE TO CONFIRM THE RECALL. I CAN'T TRUST EITHER SUZUKI OR THE NHTSA? PLEASE RESEARCH THIS AND UPDATE YOUR SITE TODAY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10168556

Incident

Sep 18, 2006

Mileage

1 mi

2005 SUZUKI FORENZA STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE IT REPLACED UNDER LEMON LAW. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT BACK AND FOURTH WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER FOUND INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE WOULD LOOSE POWER. THE DEALER FOUND THE BRAKE LIGHT STICKING FROM THE SWITCH. *JB

NHTSA ID

10167989

Incident

Mar 15, 2005

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR I NOTICED THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE. I ASKED THE OPINION OF A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE MOTOR, AND HE WAS MORE LIKELY SURE THAT IT WAS SOMETHING CALLED "LIFTER." THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CAR DEALER AND LEFT THE CAR THERE SO THEY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. A WHOLE WEEK PASSED BY AND THEY STILL DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. WHEN I FINALLY GOT IN TOUCH WITH THE PARTS DEPARTMENT THEY STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO BRING A TECHNICIAN TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. FINALLY AFTER 3 DAYS I STILL DIDN'T RECEIVE A CALL TO INFORM ME WHAT WAS GOING ON I CALLED MYSELF. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE STATED THAT THE CAR NEEDED A CERTAIN LIQUID TO CLEAN THE MOTOR. ANOTHER WEEK PASSED BY AND I STILL HADN'T RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM. SO ONCE AGAIN I CALLED THEM, THIS TIME HE STATED THAT THE CAR NEEDED A MOTOR DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE IN OTHER WORDS NO OIL CHANGES. I BROUGHT OUT TO HIS ATTENTION THAT ON MY WINDSHIELD THERE WAS THE STICKER SHOWING THE LAST TIME I CHANGED THE OIL AND WHEN WAS THE NEXT TIME IT NEEDED A OIL CHANGE. I ALSO STATED THAT IN THE LOCKED COMPARTMENT HE SHOULD FIND RECEIPTS OF PAST OIL CHANGES. HE STATED THAT THE MOTOR EXPENSE HAS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. AT THIS POINT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, I AM MISSING HOURS OF WORK DUE TO NO TRANSPORTATION, I HAVE TO WALK AND CATCH THE BUS WHEN I HAVE NO NEED BEING THAT MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM IT HAS SHOULD BE COVERED. I FEEL I AM NOT TREATED FAIR. I HAVE HEARD ABOUT MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS. THEY TOO HAVE BEEN LIED TO AND NOT HELPED WHAT SO EVER. *JB

NHTSA ID

10166461

Incident

Aug 2, 2006

Mileage

39,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND A SENSOR IN THE ENGINE; HOWEVER THE PROBLEM REMAINS.

NHTSA ID

10151341

Incident

Feb 26, 2006

Mileage

113 mi

I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA AUGUST 25, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS DECEPTIVELY PRESENTED AS HAVING A "MAINTENANCE-FREE TIMING CHAIN" PRIOR TO PURCHASE. ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED BY THE SELLING DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD 9759 MILES AT THE MOST RECENT MAINTENANCE INTERVAL. LESS THAN 20 MILES LATER, WHEN PROCEEDING FORWARD FROM A REDLIGHT, ASCENDING A BRIDGE, FOR NO APARENT REASON WHATSOEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED ALONG WITH ALL POWER ASSISTED ACCESSORIES INCLUDING STEERING AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS INTO ONCOMING AND MERGING TRAFFIC TO THE REAR. QUICK THINKING TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND BRUTE STRENGTH TO STEER AVIODED A CERTAIN MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT. HAD MY WIFE BEEN DRIVING, THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. THE DEALER DID NOT IMMEDIATELY KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT SAID THEY WOULD CALL AS SOON AS THEY KNEW SOMETHING. I CALLED THE FOLLOWING DAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY CONTACTED SUZUKI TECHNICAL SUPPORT. TECHNICAL SUPPORT TOLD THE DEALER TO ORDER SEVERAL PARTS INCLUDING A WATER PUMP AND HEAD ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED THAT SOME WATER PUMPS HAD THE PULLEY INSTALLED BACKWARDS ALLOWING THE TIMING BELT TO SKIP OVER THE COGS CAUSING EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE. THE DEALER WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE, BUT TECHNICAL SUPPORT DENIED IT. HOW THEN, DID THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHICH PARTS TO RECOMMEND TO REPAIR THE ENGINE? THE DEALER SHOWED ME THE BROKEN RETAINING RING FROM THE WATER PUMP, BUT HAS YET TO DISASSEMBLE THE ENGINE FURTHER BECAUSE THEY ARE WAITING ON THE PARTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. I NO LONGER HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE EITHER WAY. I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS SAFE TO TRAVEL AMERICAN HIGHWAYS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10150648

Incident

Feb 15, 2006

Mileage

9,770 mi

HAVE A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. BOUGHT IT JUNE OF 2005. FOR THE TIME THAT I HAD THE CAR IT HAD LITTLE PROBLEMS AT TIMES. BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 5 MILES ON IT. SUZUKI DEALERSHIPS ONLY LOOK AT YOUR CAR BY APPOINTMENT ONLY AND WHEN THEY DO LOOK AT IT THEY CLAIM NOTHING WAS FOUND. THE CAR HESITATES AND DOWNSHIFTS HARD AT TIMES. IN THE MORNING THE CAR HAS HARD STARTS WHEN COLD. THE EXHAUST MAKES NOISE AND TRANSMISSION DOES TOO. THE CLAIMS ARE THAT IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT CAR AND NORMAL. RECENTLY I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCK AT AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE THE CAR STALLED WHILE TRYING TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION FROM A STOP SIGN. THE GAS PEDAL HAD TO BE PRESSED TO THE FLOOR TO MOVE AND IT DID IT SLOWLY. FROM A STOP THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. ALSO AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. SUZUKI MAKES IT HARD TO HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICE AND CLAIM WARRANTY WORK. THAT INCLUDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOO. WHEN CAR WAS DELIVERED BACK TO ME AFTER I DROPPED IT OFF THEY CLAIM THAT NOTHING WAS FOUND. MAYBE IT WAS THE GAS CAP THEY SAID. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS TOO MUCH TOO BE A LOOSE GAS CAP. I HAD TO GET UPSET FOR THEM TO LOOK AT MY CAR. MANY PROBLEMS FOR A NEW CAR. *JB

NHTSA ID

10145982

Incident

Dec 22, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY, AND BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING AND AT NORMAL TO LOW SPEEDS. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO CLAIMED THE BRAKE SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. ALSO, CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THEY TOLD HIM TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK UPDATED 1/11/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10145465

Incident

Aug 4, 2005