2007 Suzuki Forenza: jerking or lurching

Filed May 19, 2015 · 11,000 miles · FL

After first purchasing this vehicle, the transmission range sensor failed which resulted in the vehicle jerking then suddenly going into neutral while driving down a local road. The sensor was replaced only to fail again within two years. This part has been replaced several times in the past 7 years and is again failing. The result is always the same, either decreased and unsafe acceleration or suddenly slipping into neutral, including while on a busy freeway.

Filed Apr 8, 2015 · Engine · 58,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the contact heard a noise as the vehicle stalled. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the engine had fractured. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle previously jerked. The engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the engine warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

Filed Nov 11, 2014 · Acceleration, Transmission · 130,000 miles · TX

My daughter (16) was on the highway and the service road when out of no where the car started jerking and slowed speed. She then tried to accelerate and it drug. Instead of catching back up to speed it took a minute to reach the speed. And since then its been very hard to drive. We took it to shop they said I need a new transmission range sensor a brake light switch and an input and output system and a speed sensor. They also said this is a very common issue with suzuki forenza. But its very dangerous I do feel that this should qualify for a recall before someone gets killed. Is anyone only listen to these reports at all? [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 22, 2014 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · FL

After being parked for a while the car jerks when I shift to reverse as well as makes some kind of clunking sound. Afterward, when I shift to drive, there is a marked delay prior to acceleration. This also happens whenever I come to a complete stop at traffic lights, stop signs etc. I'm wondering if this is the transmission sensor again which I had to replace in 2011 @ 30k miles because my car would stall while in operation. This transmission sensor issue is way too common in these cars for suzuki to not have issued any kind of statement or provided any restitution yet. I'm dreading having to pay another $200+ for repairs. This is a dangerous defect and they shouldn't wait like gm to deal with it. These vehicles should be recalled.

Filed Sep 28, 2013 · Airbags · 10,000 miles · IL · crash · 2 injuries

Was hit by a pontiac on the passenger side of the vehicle and the air bags did not go off. The manual states that I have air bags that are in the passenger and driver seats that are supposed to go off if an accident occurs. Due to this, my passenger and I suffered injuries that could have been fatal, if I had not tried to avoid the accident. Also, the center console broke during the accident, causing the gear shift to stick, and when you turn the engine off, it won't go all the way off until you jerk the gear shift toward the driver seat.

Filed Jul 25, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 58,000 miles · CA

When turning my car on and putting it into reverse, the car suddenly jerked and the check engine light came on. The "r" should appear for reverse on the dash, but all the letters ("p", "r", "d", etc) were scrambled together. The car drove in reverse and when I put it into drive, it jerked again and then would hardly accelerate. After driving it for a couple minutes, turning it off, and turning it back on, it would finally accelerate normally, but the check engine light would still be on and the gears would still jerk. The check engine light would go off after a few days and everything would be fine, but still the same problem happens again in a short term.

Filed Jun 14, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 75,950 miles · NC

I was on the highway when out of no where my car jerked and slowed speed. I almost got rear ended. I then tried to accelerate and it drug. Instead of catching back up to speed it took a minute to reach the speed of what was posted. And since then its been very hard to drive. I took it to shop they said I need a new transmission range sensor. They also said this is a very common issue with suzuki forenza. But its very dangerous I do feel that this should qualify for a recall. For a reference the suzuki dealer sales the transmission range sensor for $38.99 and the mechanic charged $25.00 labor.

Filed Jun 4, 2013 · Transmission · 119,000 miles · NC

I have a 2007 suzuki forenza, shortly after I got it I noticed it would cut off when I turned the A/C on. If I leave the A/C on it jerks and struggles to reach the posted speed limit. Aside from that issue while driving the car doesn't change gears well and RPM shoots way up and the car drags. This is very dangerous and has caused me to almost be involved in multiple accidents. I do not feel safe with my children nor my self driving this car. Something needs to be done about this defect before someone gets hurt. When this occurred I was attempting to turn and car wouldn't accelerate at that point I panicked and realized I had the pedal all the way down and it still would not go. Then all of a sudden it made a big clunk and jerk and slowly pulled off. I was on a busy intersection between two highways. This is very dangerous and does need immediate attention.

Filed May 30, 2012 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 suzuki forenza. The contact was driving 45 MPH when the vehicle began to jerk and the gear shifted into neutral erroneously. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the transmission range sensor failed and would need replacing. The contact spoke to the manufacturer because the vehicle was under warranty, but the manufacturer would not include the cost of the repair under the warranty. The failure and the current mileage was 97,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2012 · Electrical, Transmission · 18,000 miles · NY

I just had this part replaced in january 2012 now 2 months later check engine light going on in the middle of driving. Went to autozone and guess what transmission range sensor again!!!!! I bought part from dealer in january and had my licensed auto mechanic put it in, now car doing exactly same thing it did in january car jerking into reverse , scrambled gear letters on dash board, this part is defective what do I have to do replace it every 2 months!!!! Make it a recall already , I am not the only complaint!!!!

Filed Mar 20, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · VA

When turning my car on and putting it into reverse, the check engine light came on and my car jerked into gear and where the r should appear for reverse on the dash, all the letters were scrambled together. The car drove in reverse and then when I put it into drive, it jerked again and then would hardly accelerate. After driving the car for a couple minutes, turning it off, and turning it back on, it would finally accelerate but the check engine light would still be on and the gears would still jerk. The check engine light would go off after a couple days and everything would be fine and then it would all start again. Then my car is starting to switch over into neutral when driving 60mph+ and now it will do this multiple times when driving at any speed. When it switches over to neutral like this while I'm driving, the d for drive on the dash will become scrambled like it does when it jerks into reverse. The problem is getting worse.

Filed Oct 15, 2011 · Acceleration, Brakes · 70,000 miles · SC

Trying to shift into gear the car jerks and the display blinks, not indicating what gear the car is in. The only gears that show are d and p. When trying to accelerate the car moves very slowly and doesn't go any faster than 35-40 MPH. Diagnostic test show it is the transmission range sensor. I see that this is a common problem in this model vehicle and thinks it should be recalled and fixed at the expense of the dealer not the consumer. This car has only had problems from the beginning and the manufacturer needs to realize this and assume some responsibility for their product.