2008 Suzuki Forenza: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 152 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (41% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2022
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2018
“"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!”Owner report · Engine · May 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“The car was parked in the driveway. It spontaneously caught on fire, burning the entire dash on the drivers side. The car is a total loss. The car was not running at the time and had been sitting unoccupied for a couple of hours. The smoke from the electrical fire blackened the windows on the entire car. The speedometer and all other guages on the dash were completely melted and the dash burned all the way back to the firewall. It appears to have started in or right at the steering wheel.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2017
“The transmission range sensor on suzuki forenzas and other models has been shoddy at best. My car currently has 65000 miles on it and I have replaced the trs 3 times getting ready to be a 4th. This is not a sensor that should need replaced regularly. I have had the vehicle slip out of gear at speed due to this and can never accelerate when I need to. Im afraid that if I need to accelerate to avoid a collision I wont be able to. This is a safety hazard and NHTSA needs to investigate. They have more then enough complaints to see this is an issue and they need to act before someone gets killed.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. While stopped at a red light, the vehicle lost power and the transmission icon illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the contact's residence. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2016
“I have already replaced the transmission range sensor once in october of 2014 and it is acting up again now. When I am driving the car jerks when it is shifting gears and on a couple occasions it has just switched into neutral for no reason while the car is still in motion. The most recent time was on my home from work on 8/22/16. I had to pull over and stop and start my car a few times to reset the problem. The part should not have to be replaced every couple years. This is a safety hazard and this needs to be fixed by suzuki.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2016
“Electrical door locking system malfunctioning, doors will not remain locked, has constant clicking and unlocking all doors when I lock the car.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2016
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Forenza by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Suzuki Forenza reliable?
NHTSA has 152 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2008 Suzuki Forenza. The most complained-about area is power train (41% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Suzuki Forenza problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,500 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Suzuki Forenza have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.