2005 Suzuki Forenza: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 2, 2016 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · VA

2005 suzuki forenza. Car has 78,000 miles. Manual transmission. Transmission jerks, slips and is now is stuck in the highest gear. Will barely pull out. The problem started with the slipping. This lead to the jerking. Then is started to down shift violently with no notice throwing you forward. These events appear to only present when driving in town conditions. Have not experienced any issues on highway. I have had it to mechanics twice with no success. The last time the transmission range sensor was replaced. At no time has an error code been present that would lead a trained mechanic to a viable repair. This situation is dangerous.

Filed Sep 22, 2014 · Transmission · 103,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 suzuki forenza. The contact stated when attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated to shift into gear and started to jerk. The failure persisted. The vehicle had not been inspected by a mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 103,000.

Filed Nov 16, 2011 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that there was a loud knocking noise coming from the transmission. In addition, the vehicle would decelerate independently when driving at 50 MPH and above. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced at the start of the year. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 01/18/12*lj the consumer stated in january 2011, the transmission completely failed resulting in having to replace it with a brand new one. In june 2011, the vehicle jerked extremely hard while driving and then wouldn't accelerated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they replaced the transmission range sensor. In november 2011, the vehicle jerked hard again and left the consumer stranded. The vehicle was towed again, where the transmission range sensor was replaced again. Four days later, the vehicle ceased to operate again. The vehicle was towed again and the transmission range sensor was replaced for the third time. Updated 02/01/12

Filed Nov 16, 2011 · Engine · 89,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

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.

Filed Apr 2, 2008 · Transmission · 42,000 miles · TX

I went on a trip to el paso,texas with my family and on my way back I had the worst trouble with my car. My car started jerking a bit. I though nothing of it and kept going just hoping to get home with my kids. On my way back home I stopped by a mechanic shop and they informed it was the sensors in the transmission that were no good. But it is a newer car so I though they must be wrong. I did make it safely to my home. It stopped doing the jerking. Then a few days later it started back up. This issue has been an ongoing since march 4,2008. I thought it was only me but I have found out by autozone that a few people have taken their car fro the same issue. So I believe this issue should b repaired because I did not do anything. I was taken my children 2 days ago to the doctor and what seemed like a normal trip became a nightmare. The car would not go(put yourself in my place at the 5:00 p.m. Traffic) the engine just reved very high and I put my foot down all the way to the floor and then it went forward with a jerking motion forward. I was so scared and still am that I don't want to drive my vehicle because I do not know when it is going to try to stall on me and not shift gears. I just bought the car not even 7 months ago from the dealership. It is over the 36,000 miles and I do expect for this issue to get resolved and for you as a company fix the issue. I did research and I do see all the complaints on this model of car. Are you expecting a major accident for you to take care of the issue?? I do not want to drive in an unsafe vehicle with my two small children! Would you? I do not want to get into an accident in order fro you to take care of the issue. The cars keeps jerking and you have to put your whole foot to the floor in order fro it to shift I need results!!!!

Filed Mar 2, 2008 · Engine, Transmission · 25,000 miles · NC

I took my car into the dealership in the beginning of january 2008 for the 2 safety recalls to be repaired. The very next day my car struggled to shift 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears. I called the dealership and told them what was going on and they set up an appointment for the next day. They drove the car and said it wasn't doing anything. So, I left the dealership and my car continued to do this. My car progressively got worse with the engine revving high and not wanting to shift gears. It eventually began jerking violently when trying to shift all gears! I made another appointment with suzuki on february 26, 2008 and drove the car while the manager rode along with me. My car was having a very mild day as far as the jerking and hard shifting and only did it once while he was with me. They reset the computer part of the transmission and sent me on my way. Well, the very next day the car went right back to it's old way of jerking and shifting hard. On march 1, 2008 I was pulling out from a side road onto a main road and my car did not want to go! The engine just revved very high and wouldn't shift gears! I didn't know what to do other than to floor it! It eventually shifted gears and went on down the road. Now that I am doing a little more research I see that others are having similar problems (odi 10211177, odi 10145983, odi 10144874). I really feel like suzuki is just trying to hold off until I pass the 36,000 mile mark so they don't have to worry about it. This vehicle is unsafe to drive and the dealership in my area does not give loaner cars anymore because of insurance liability reasons. Well, this is my only vehicle so I don't have a choice but to drive an unsafe vehicle. I really thought suzuki's customer service was much better than this!

Filed Dec 7, 2007 · Electrical · 15,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 suzuki forenza. Two weeks after the vehicle was purchased, the service engine light illuminated frequently. The vehicle was returned to the dealer for repair. The dealer could not find any failures the first time. Two weeks later, the light illuminated again and the vehicle jerked during acceleration. The vehicle was returned to the dealer so the computer component could be updated. One week later, the vehicle caught fire and was destroyed. A fire report was filed. The contact received a recall notice regarding the failure after the fire occurred. The powertrain and recall number were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 15,000. Updated 01-10-08.

Filed Dec 9, 2005 · Transmission · 2,935 miles · TX

Purchased this vehicle one month prior to problem. The automatic transmission constantly hunts for gears, shifting abruptly and sharply without provocation. At 2,950 miles, the 'check engine' light came on and engine began to groan. When proceeding from a stop, the engine would rev but the vehicle would not move as if transmission was not engaged. After a short period, vehicle would jerk violently and transmission would engage, but constantly shift early or late and hunt between gears. Took vehicle to dealer to solve problem. Was informed that the 'check engine' was definitely on and that a transmission flush was performed to solve the problem, as per a "recall" on 2005 forenza transmissions. Transmission does shift smoother now, but still has jerky moments.

Filed Jul 15, 2005 · Transmission · 992 miles · MI

Dt: caller has a 2005 suzuki forenza. Car jerks without warning because the adaptive transmission learning software in the compute is defective. Caller says the adaptive transmission shifting is affected by the computer problem, and the car hunts between gears, and that is why it jerks. Caller is concerned about his family being in this car. Dealer said they have no fix at this time, dealer will contact the manufacturer. Caller did e-mail manufacturer and is waiting for a response. *ak