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.
The worst 2008 Suzuki Forenza problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission79
- Airbags32
- Electrical32
- Engine29
- Acceleration18
- Lights10
- Brakes5
- Seat belts4
- Steering4
- Tires4
- Wheels3
- Body2
- Fuel system2
- Seats2
- Driver assistance1
- Locks1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Suzuki Forenza
Check engine light 46Airbag light 16Jerking 13Harsh shifting 11Transmission failure 11Slipping 9Fire or smoke 8Headlights 8Stalling 8Hesitation 6Won't shift 6
Recalls 1
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the heat generated within the headlamp switch or DRL module located on the left side of the steering column melts the headlamp switch or DRL module, there is an increased risk of a fire.
- 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.
Recall number 14V262000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Suzuki Forenza 13
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts...
- This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile...
- This service bulletin updates a bulletin originally issued on may 18, 2016, concerning a special warranty...
- Suzuki: suzuki has replacement oil pumps that have a threaded plug
- Long brake pedal travel forenza equipped with ABS brakes
- Loss of brake function-extended brake pedal travel
- Suzuki vehicle: counter measure procedure for DTC P2135
- Suzuki vehicles: counter measure procedure for DTC P2138
- Suzuki vehicles: automatic transmission shift lever is loose in the shift gate and/or ignition key cannot...
- Suzuki: a/c leak check at suction hose which no longer required to be replaced
2008 Suzuki Forenza fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-20 | 27-28 | 22-23 |
What 2008 Suzuki Forenza owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
"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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Transmission regulation sensor - car jumping out of gear while driving. Dangerous very dangerous.
Electrical door locking system malfunctioning, doors will not remain locked, has constant clicking and unlocking all doors when I lock the car.
Compare the 2008 Suzuki Forenza
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Questions about the 2008 Suzuki Forenza
Is the 2008 Suzuki Forenza reliable?
Owners have filed 152 complaints about the 2008 Suzuki Forenza, close to a typical Forenza model year.
What is the 2008 Suzuki Forenza year score?
The 2008 Suzuki Forenza scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Suzuki Forenza: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Suzuki Forenza?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 79 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles. Next is airbags (32).
How many recalls does the 2008 Suzuki Forenza have?
1 recall, covering exterior lighting.
What year does the Suzuki Forenza have bad transmission?
The Suzuki Forenza model years with the most transmission complaints are 2007 (129 complaints), 2006 (116 complaints) and 2008 (79 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Suzuki Forenza get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Suzuki Forenza range from 22 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-20 city and 27-28 highway.
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