2006 Suzuki Forenza: jerking or lurching

Filed Apr 28, 2016 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 117,000 miles · NC

The vehicle was stationary each time this occurred (3 times at stop lights, and yesterday, 4/27/16, in a parking lot). When I come to a stop (with foot on brake), the car starts to accelerate hard trying to go forward. Each time I put both feet on brake, and it still couldn't stop it, so I jerked it into park, then turned off key. Each time that kept me from crashing. It was scary because I have children in the car. Suzuki dealership in winston-salem didn't seem to know what it was, but said I could tow it in to get it looked at (cost $$$). Then I called suzuki dealer in raleigh nc and they said to bring it in for $110 for them to just look at it. It only happens randomly, so I don't trust that they will be able to figure it out. Please see the following weblink that described others having the same problem, but no solution (even after they took it to be worked on at suzuki place). Http://www.carcomplaints.com/suzuki/forenza/2008/engine/vehicle_speed_control.shtml thanks.

Filed Oct 21, 2015 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that the transmission jerked and the vehicle would not accelerate when prompted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired, but the issue recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 70,000 miles · TX

I bought my 2006 suzuki forenza brand new. The engine gave out on me in 2009. I replaced the engine once. Additional to the engine problems, one day while exiting from a major highway, the car just stopped going about 45 MPH and started going about 10 MPH, while a noticeable flashing square with a blinking line comes up on the gear indicator, on the dash. I almost caused an accident. I was told it was the transmission range sensor which I've now replaced two times. Note: brand new transmission range sensors were placed and still have the same issue. When I put it from park to drive (gear), the motor jerks and feels like the motor's going to fall off. The catalytic converter has also failed to pass inspection. The A/C gave out about 2 years from the time I bought it (brand new car). It's not a reliable car, at all. Once I fix something, something else breaks. Then the paint on the door handles is chipped off, I've had two door handles break on the interior, now I hear it has electrical problems under the dash. I haven't had this issue but not looking forward to it. It constantly drains my wallet, therefore the car has been sitting in the driveway pending repairs which might not be beneficial to continue making.

Filed Nov 13, 2013 · Transmission · 33,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle would no longer accelerate. The check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The failure recurred sporadically. Additionally, the contact stated that when placing the gear in reverse, the gear shifter would become jammed, causing the vehicle to jerk abnormally. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 101,000 miles · CA

I purchased a used 2006 suzuki forenza 2006in oct 2012. The first break down was a week after purchase there was a hole in the water pump. I called the dealership and that was replace in december 2012 I was driving to work I was stopped at a red light and there was a shake in the engine it begin to jerk and did not want to accelerate. I took it to aamco where they said it had to do with the transmission switch. They fixed it after two weeks I was coming off the freeway again at the stop light my car shook and the check engine light went on I took it back and they said it was the same code that had come up the first time. They fixed it again. Then a month later the same thing happen I ended up taking it to a dealership and it was the same thing with a transmission switch. Now the check engine light keeps going off and on everytime I take it in to get looked at the same code pops up with the transmission switch. Now there saying it has to be electrical and it is safe to drive with the check engine light on.

Filed Jul 2, 2013 · Transmission · 45,426 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that after shifting into reverse, a loud and unusual noise was heard from the vehicle. The contact then shifted into drive and depressed the accelerator however, the vehicle proceeded to roll in reverse. The gear selector box then displayed an abnormal symbol of a square with an "x" over the symbol. The dealer was contacted and stated that he had never seen such a symbol. A diagnostic was performed and the contact was advised that there was a transmission failure. There were unknown repairs made to the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The failure was reported to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 45,426. The current mileage was 67,000. Updated 9/4/13 *cn the consumer stated the drive gears slipped while driving on the freeway. Power was completely lost, but the vehicle did not stall. On june 22,2013, the consumer put the vehicle in reverse and a symbol displayed, when she stepped on the accelerator, there was a click and a jerk.

Filed Mar 22, 2013 · Acceleration, Electrical · 48,000 miles · CO · crash

My transmission range sensor has failed for the third time in as many years. Each time I have it repaired by the dealership. This malfunction causes the vehicle to spontaneously throw itself in to neutral or reverse either while driving or when vehicle is at a complete stop. While driving my car suddenly jerked very hard then slowed to an almost complete stop causing the car behind me to slam on its brakes and hit my bumper. I stopped, restarted the engine and then was not able to accelerate past 15mph even with my foot firmly on the gas pedal. Like I said before, this is the 3rd time this has failed and I am glad that the person who was behind me stopped quickly and only tapped my bumper. This has also happened at higher speeds and is just an accident waiting to happen. Suzuki needs to do a major recall!! I don't understatnd how so many people are having the same problem yet it is not being investigated!

Filed Mar 17, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · 142,000 miles · SC

Driving down residential street vehicle stalled and began to idle high while in the "d" position. Applied brakes and tried to put it in to "p" position but dash read reverse. Turned ignition off and gears shifted as designed. 4 incidents followed this one have not had it repaired.I was putting gas in with the engine off one I got back into the vehicle cranked it and immediately the scrambled symbol appeared I cut the engine back off and tried it again and the scrambled symbol was still visible I shifted down through several gears with clunking noises and heavy jerking until I was able to find drive 3, I was able to move the vehicle at a slow pace to a parking space until I had it towed to my home. Sent it to a mechanic had throttle repaired put the very same day the very same problem occurred while my children and I were on the interstate headed home from their school. Was able to shift to drive 3 and get it off of the roadway.turned off ignition and cranked it up again the vehicle ran normally took it to an autozone so that the check engine code could be read and it came back as p0700 and p0705 have not had the funds to have it looked at by suzuki dealership. With this as an recurring with other vehicles as well as mines something has to be done before someone is greatly injured or killed just stating the obvious. Love the vehicle but afraid to drive it even if the necessary repairs are made I don't want to feel as if im driving my and my kids death mobile.

Filed Oct 1, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 71,086 miles · WI

For approximately year prior to the incident date indicated on this form, 06/05/2012, my vehicle has malfunctioned sporadically in the way(s) I am about to describe. Since 6/05/2012, the malfunction has occurred and worsened every time I drive. Upon the initial gear shift from "park" to "reverse," my suzuki forenza jerks. After the shift, the dashboard displays a "p," despite being in reverse. When I shift to drive, I feel a jerk, and my dashboard displays a multitude of things; at times it remains a "p," and at other times it shows "n" for neutral, "r" for reverse, a simple "d," or a flashing "d" with a diagonal line through it. As I press the gas to accelerate, my RPM's increase, the engine revs, but my car does not move forward for a period of anywhere from 10 seconds to a full minute. The vehicle then jerks and shoots forward very quickly, which is greatly hazardous and alarming. Once my vehicle is in motion on the road, a separate but seemingly related incident occurs at various speeds- I can be on a neighborhood street or the interstate. All of a sudden, it feels as if my car is shifting itself into neutral and is still moving due to momentum. Although I immediately remove my foot from the gas pedal, my RPM's shoot up into the 6/7 range, the engine sounds as if it is going to explode, and the vehicle jerks. At this time, the dashboard displays a number of different shifts, alternating from the flashing "d," to, "p," and so on. I have researched this issue and found that hundreds of other suzuki forenza owners have experienced the same malfunction, due to the transmission sensor. It may be a relatively easy and inexpensive fix, but that doesn't lesson the severity. This vehicle has had 4 other safety recalls thus far, and I am enraged that it is has not been recalled entirely due to this widespread and extremely dangerous malfunction.

Filed Jun 11, 2012 · Acceleration, Seat belts · 30,000 miles · TX

A malfunction occurs when I attempt to shift gears from park to any other. 1. It makes a loud, deep sound, similar to "thunk-thunk" and if I don't have my foot on the brake hard enough, the car lurches. 2. The dashboard signal for pdrn etc randomly changes to a weird symbol that is not any letter in the american alphabet. 3. It makes a revving sound which should indicate a higher velocity when in fact it is at a lower velocity. 4. It will not accelerate properly. When entering a high frequency road or highway, I have to floor the gas pedal to go normal speed then maintain it. 5. It shifts out of drive into neutral while I am driving and independently of my activity, thankfully approximately only about once every month. 6. The check engine light is always on. 7. The mechanic said it was related to the transmission but was called a range something or other. 8. I notice these problems more in stop-and-go city traffic than on long uninterrupted distances. 9. I consider these random car behaviour problems unstable and unsafe. 10. To any driver new to handling/driving my car, I would have to explain its quirks for them to drive and not have a tragic vehicular accident involving the improper response of my car to normal use. 11. The warranty ran out long ago. It was only for three years. The problems started occurring after the warranty expired, of course. 12. It will cost me about $200 to get the range whatchamacallit fixed, $200 of which I believe suzuki should pay. Unrelated problem, sometimes the seatbelt buckle unclicks itself.

Filed Oct 13, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · IN

I have had so many problems with this car!! It started out as I was shift into or past reverse. Now it shifts on it's own while driving, while pulling into traffic, while at stoplights/stop signs. You will be driving and it will jerk and put itself into park but still go. It's like driving a stick shift without letting off the clutch. This is a very dangerous vehicle to drive. You don't know when it's going to act up. I have my daughter in the car and wait until it's absolutely clear to pull out due to this. Tonight (10/13/11) I was driving, hit a bump in the road that I've driven over a million times and simultaneously, my brake light and my battery light came on. I drove to my destination with my lights dimming slowly and pulled into the spot and the car died. I spoke to the local suzuki dealership and asked the service tech is he gets alot of issues with this sensor and he says "the numbers are higher than they should be for this car. "

Filed Aug 30, 2011 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · IL

I have had my transmission range sensor replaced, and my vehicle still lacks power when pressing on accelerator. My veh jerks when driving and slows down. Suzuki must do something about this!