2008 Suzuki Forenza Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Suzuki Forenza, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)6929.7%
- Airbags3213.8%
- Electrical3213.8%
- Engine2912.5%
- Driver assistance198.2%
- Transmission114.7%
- Exterior lighting104.3%
- Brakes52.2%
- Steering41.7%
- Tires & wheels41.7%
- Seat belts41.7%
- Interior & seats31.3%
- Other / unspecified31.3%
- Fuel system20.9%
- Body & structure20.9%
- Heating & air conditioning10.4%
- Visibility10.4%
- Suspension10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Every neutral safety switch made for this vehicle is faulty be driving down the road it'll switch from drive to neutral or any other gear I've had it go into reverse while going 50 mph down the road I've replaced this part five times still have same problem part works for about a month then goes out. Other times transmission won't even go into drive have to screw with shifter to get it to go into gear May last for about a mile and jumps back out of gear. Next problem computer tells me throttle positioning sensor is out car works fine at first then starts to rev around 5-6k or it to rev to half a grand and stall while driving down the road.
I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP MCCANN CAR LOT IN SPARTA NC MCCANN TOLD ME IT WAS THE BEST CAR ON THE LOT HE DROVE ME THROUGH TOWN TELLING ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THEN LET ME DRIVE IT A SHORT DISTANCE INSURED ME THE CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME AFTER WE WENT TO GET INSPECTED WHICH NOTHING WAS CHECKED JUNIOR MCCANN TOLD THEM NOTHING WAS WRONG THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT MELTED THE COVER NOW CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE HEATER SMELLS SO BAD I GOT SICK FROM INHALED THE ODOR I REPORTED THIS TO JUNIOR MCCANN HIS REPLY WAS I WAS SMELLING SOMETHING HE DIDN'T SMELL MY HUSBAND ALSO SMELLED THE ODOR AND GOT BAD HEADACHE HE NEVER ONCE SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR HAS GONE OUT ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER OWNERS SUZUKI VEHICLES AND THEY TO ARE HAVING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSORS. DEALER SERVICE CENTERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS PART BREAKS OFTEN AND THEY KEEP EXTRA IN STOCK. THIS ISSUE WILL BEGIN WITH CAUSING VEHICLES TO SHIFT ROUGH AND END WITH VEHICLES NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF OR INTO PARK. THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS THE CUSHION SENSOR AND WILL COST $1500 TO REPLACE. AGAIN, AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER SUZUKI CAR OWNERS, THEY TOO HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. SUZUKI ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FOR SOME VEHICLES BUT NOT VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND OWNERS ARE BEING CHARGED TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART. SUZUKI HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THESE ISSUES BY OTHER OWNERS AND HAVE COVERED REPAIR COSTS FOR A FEW, BUT HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
ABOUT EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 4 YEARS. THE WIRING UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS TO BE REDONE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT RESET. IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS AT THIS POINT WHO KNOWS IF THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Every neutral safety switch made for this vehicle is faulty be driving down the road it'll switch from drive to neutral or any other gear I've had it go into reverse while going 50 mph down the road I've replaced this part five times still have same problem part works for about a month then goes out. Other times transmission won't even go into drive have to screw with shifter to get it to go into gear May last for about a mile and jumps back out of gear. Next problem computer tells me throttle positioning sensor is out car works fine at first then starts to rev around 5-6k or it to rev to half a grand and stall while driving down the road.
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND SMOKE STARTING TO COME INSIDE THE CAR FROM THE DRIVER SIDE VENTS. I PULLED OVER AND LET THE SMOKE AIR OUT AS I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. ON THE TOW TRUCK AT THE POOLER PARKWAY EXIT OFF OF I-16, THE CAR ALARM WAS GOING OFF, THE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING, AND THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER PULLED OVER, RAN TO THE CAR ON THE TOW TRUCK BED, OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND SAW FLAMES ENGULFING THE PANEL UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. HE GRABBED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. DURING THIS TIME, I WAS IN THE CAB OF THE TOW TRUCK. CAR WAS THEN CONSIDERED A LIABILITY, THEREFOR WAS NOT ALLOWED AT THE TOW TRUCK YARD OR MY APARTMENT COMPLEX. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOWED THE CAR TO DAN VADEN CHEVROLET, WHERE I HAD BEEN CONTACTING THEM FOR TWO WEEKS REGARDING THE PART I GOT A NOTICE ON ABOUT THE RECALL.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP MCCANN CAR LOT IN SPARTA NC MCCANN TOLD ME IT WAS THE BEST CAR ON THE LOT HE DROVE ME THROUGH TOWN TELLING ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THEN LET ME DRIVE IT A SHORT DISTANCE INSURED ME THE CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME AFTER WE WENT TO GET INSPECTED WHICH NOTHING WAS CHECKED JUNIOR MCCANN TOLD THEM NOTHING WAS WRONG THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT MELTED THE COVER NOW CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE HEATER SMELLS SO BAD I GOT SICK FROM INHALED THE ODOR I REPORTED THIS TO JUNIOR MCCANN HIS REPLY WAS I WAS SMELLING SOMETHING HE DIDN'T SMELL MY HUSBAND ALSO SMELLED THE ODOR AND GOT BAD HEADACHE HE NEVER ONCE SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR
"TAKATA RECALL" GEAR SHIFT KEEPS SLIPPING AND MAYBE THE CAUSE OF NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. HAD TO TURN CAR OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE GEAR SLIPPED. WHEN CAR WAS IN DRIVE A SYMBOL POPPED UP WITH A D WITH A LINE THOUGH IT! TOOK IT TO O'REILLY AND PUT IT ON MACHINE ABOUT 3WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND IT READ SOME CODES ABOUT GEAR AND TRANSMISSION AND AN EMPLOYEE THERE SAID GEAR SLIPPING COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS!
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Every neutral safety switch made for this vehicle is faulty be driving down the road it'll switch from drive to neutral or any other gear I've had it go into reverse while going 50 mph down the road I've replaced this part five times still have same problem part works for about a month then goes out. Other times transmission won't even go into drive have to screw with shifter to get it to go into gear May last for about a mile and jumps back out of gear. Next problem computer tells me throttle positioning sensor is out car works fine at first then starts to rev around 5-6k or it to rev to half a grand and stall while driving down the road.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS AND THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,844. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS. UPDATED 7/16/2015*JS
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A DELAYED RESPONSE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE TRANSMISSION INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION CENTER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ
I HAVE BEEN GETTING SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. THEN SHORTLY AFTER MY BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. WELL THE NEXT WEEKEND THE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW WHEN I SWITCH GEARS I GET A LOUD THUMP AND THE CAR JUMPS REALLY HARD. I WENT TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTS WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON THEY WERE ABLE TO RETRIEVE CODES AND VERIFY THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR A CIRCUIT WHILE IN PARK/REVERSE/NUETRAL AND DRIVE. AND THEY ALSO RETRIEVED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SENSOR. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW AND I WILL NOT DRIVE IT TILL IT GETS FIXED. I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR THE LONGEST TIME AND I AM SCARED THIS CAR WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT IS A VERY UNSAFE CAR AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING DUE TO MANY COMPLAINTS. YOU NEED TO DO A RECALL ON THIS CAR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS BADLY INJURED OR KILLED. *KB
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP MCCANN CAR LOT IN SPARTA NC MCCANN TOLD ME IT WAS THE BEST CAR ON THE LOT HE DROVE ME THROUGH TOWN TELLING ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THEN LET ME DRIVE IT A SHORT DISTANCE INSURED ME THE CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME AFTER WE WENT TO GET INSPECTED WHICH NOTHING WAS CHECKED JUNIOR MCCANN TOLD THEM NOTHING WAS WRONG THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT MELTED THE COVER NOW CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE HEATER SMELLS SO BAD I GOT SICK FROM INHALED THE ODOR I REPORTED THIS TO JUNIOR MCCANN HIS REPLY WAS I WAS SMELLING SOMETHING HE DIDN'T SMELL MY HUSBAND ALSO SMELLED THE ODOR AND GOT BAD HEADACHE HE NEVER ONCE SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING OUT THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AN UNKNOWN DEALER STATED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT THOUGHT OTHERWISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,121. THE VINE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR START AND DRIVE WHEN I DROVE AND THEN STOP HARD BY ITSELF LIKE BRAKE. I COULD NOT KEEP PRESS GAS WHEN ITSELF STOP HARD. ON ROAD.
I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR REPLACED ON MY 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA TWICE ALREADY AND IT HAS MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONS, MY CAR JERKS HEAVILY WHEN CHANGING GEARS, AND IT IS AN AUTOMATIC ENGINE. THE RPMS WILL NOT EXCEED 3000, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND "HOLD" FLASHES IN THE DASH. THE CAR ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY SHUDDERS ABOVE 50 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS DROPPED TO ZERO WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SO I CANNOT TELL HOW FAST I AM GOING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND JUST PASSED A SEMI TRUCK GOING ABOUT 65 MPH AND THEN MY CAR SUDDENLY SWITCHED GEARS INTO NEUTRAL ON IT'S OWN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY AND RESTART THE CAR A COUPLE TIMES FOR IT TO RESET AND GO BACK TO NORMAL. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE HAD BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE PARK/NEUTRAL SWITCH PREVIOUSLY IN MY CAR BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE GEAR SWITCHED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND NOT WHEN I FIRST STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT INTO GEAR. THAT HAD HAPPENED FREQUENTLY WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN DRIVE BUT IT SAID IT WAS IN NEUTRAL BUT THEN AFTER A COUPLE RESTARTS IT WOULD RESET AND WORK CORRECTLY FOR A LITTLE WHILE BEFORE IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ONCE I REPLACED THAT SWITCH I HAVEN'T BEEN HAVING ANY ISSUES WITH IT AGAIN SO FAR. NOW I'M JUST DEALING WITH THE POWER LOCKS STICKING AND LOCKING ON THEIR OWN (THE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT PROBLEM THREE YEARS AGO WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT ONLY NOW AM I HAVING THAT ISSUE) AND ALSO THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT NOT STAYING FASTENED WHEN I FIRST CLICK IT. IT FINALLY DOES AFTER JIGGLING IT A LITTLE BIT. *TR
SOMETIMES THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT COMES UNBUCKLED WHILE I AM DRIVING EVEN THOUGH I CLEARLY HEARD A CLICK WHEN BUCKLING IT. SOMETIMES IT SEEMS TO COME UNBUCKLED ALMOST EVERY DAY AND THEN IT STOPS FOR A WHILE. THE OCCURRENCE IS RANDOM BUT CONTINUOUS, IT HAS NOT STOPPED. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR HAS GONE OUT ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER OWNERS SUZUKI VEHICLES AND THEY TO ARE HAVING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSORS. DEALER SERVICE CENTERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS PART BREAKS OFTEN AND THEY KEEP EXTRA IN STOCK. THIS ISSUE WILL BEGIN WITH CAUSING VEHICLES TO SHIFT ROUGH AND END WITH VEHICLES NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF OR INTO PARK. THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS THE CUSHION SENSOR AND WILL COST $1500 TO REPLACE. AGAIN, AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER SUZUKI CAR OWNERS, THEY TOO HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. SUZUKI ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FOR SOME VEHICLES BUT NOT VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND OWNERS ARE BEING CHARGED TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART. SUZUKI HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THESE ISSUES BY OTHER OWNERS AND HAVE COVERED REPAIR COSTS FOR A FEW, BUT HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
THE LOCKS CLICK AS THOUGH THE DOORS ARE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WHILE IDLE OR DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND GOING OFF PERIODICALLY UNTIL IT FINALLY JUST STAYED ON. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR HEADLIGHT SHUT OF ON ME WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ALONG WITH AIR CONDITIONING AND WINDOWS THEY ALL SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND I HAD TO PULL OVER NEAR THE NEAREST STORE AND CUT CAR OFF THANKS I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THEY ALL SRARTED WORKING ACCEPT THE AIR THAT DIDNT START WORKING AGAIN TILL ABOUT THIRTY MINS LATER CAR ALSO JUMPS WHEN PULLING OUT OF PARK IN TO DRIVE OR REVERSE REALLY HARD JUMP THE CAR HEADLIGHTS ALSO FLICKER WHEN PRESSING WINDOWS BUTTONS TO GO DOWN TIRE SENSOR LIGHT WONT GO OUT CAR ALSO HAS A HARD TIME ACCELERATING GOING UPHILL U HAVE PRESS DOWN ALL THE WAY ON GAS FOR IT TO GO
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 THIS 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. UPDATE FILE 06/24/2012 AMENDED JULY 16 2012 TL CONTACT HAD SAID PART VACUUM PEDAL POSITION SENSOR AND VOLT COALITION REPLACED. DEALERSHIP STATED SAID PART HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY SUZUKI CORP. (SEEMS TO ACKNOWLEDGE IS A PROBLEM) AND HAD 100% EFFECTIVE REPAIR WHEN MODIFIED PART IS REPLACED. TL CONTACT HAS NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SINCE REPAIR. TL CONTACT FEELS 700 PLUS DOLLARS FOR REPAIR IS SIGNIFICANT REASON FOR INVESTIGATION FOR RECALL AND SHOULD HAVE IN LEW OF OTHER TL CONTACTS SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD HAVE FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF ALL MONIES SPENT IN REGARD TO SAID VACUUM PEDAL POSITION SENSOR AND VOLT COALITION
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS TRAVELING AT A RATE APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR VEHICLE IN FROM OF ME STOP ABRUPTLY. I HIT THEM. DRIVER SIDE FENDER, HOOD, BUMPER ALL SMASHED. IN AREA WHERE AIRBAG SENSOR IS, IT SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED. WE TOO HAD ISSUE WITH THE FLASHING PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT TOOK IT TO DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIX SAID IT WAS TEMPERAMENTAL ON HOW YOU SIT IS SEAT.
PAINT CAME OFF ALL DOOR HANDLES AND WHEEL COVERS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE WERE SENT A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE DATED 7/22/2014 STATING THERE IS A DEFECT RELATING TO ABNORMAL OPERATION OF THE HIGH AND/OR LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS AND THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS. THE NOTIFICATION STATES "RECALL SERVICE PARTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. PROVIDING REPAIR PARTS IS A TOP PRIORITY, HOWEVER, THEIR AVAILABILITY IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. VEHICLE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY MAIL WHEN REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS CAN THEN BEGIN". IT HAS BEEN NEARLY ONE FULL YEAR AND NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM SUZUKI MOTOR OF AMERICA, INC. HAS BEEN RECEIVED. IN THE MEANTIME WE ARE FORCED TO OPERATE A VEHICLE WITH "AN INCREASED RISK OF FIRE" AND WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOMEONE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY SEE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING HEADLIGHTS. MILLIONS OF CARS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH PROPERLY FUNCTIONING HEADLIGHTS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS, THIS CANNOT POSSIBLY BE THAT DIFFICULT OF A REPAIR TO QUICKLY ENGINEER AND IMPLEMENT. IS THIS UNNECESSARY DELAY DUE TO THE FACT THAT SUZUKI NO LONGER SELLS VEHICLES IN THE U.S. AND THEREFORE NO LONGER THINKS IT HAS THE OBLIGATION TO FULFILL RECALL REQUIREMENTS?? ANY HELP THAT CAN BE PROVIDED WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .