Every time I change gears, my car thunks under the hood and my check engine light is continuously on. A machine was hooked up to my car and it reads that there is a bad transmission range sensor. I've done my research, and notice an unbelievable amount of complaints due to the same issue/part. When this happens in my vehicle, it drives very poorly and feels like it cannot shift into the correct gear. This is unsafe.
2008 Suzuki Forenza engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 29 of 29, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, she heard a loud grinding sound coming from under the hood area. The brake and electrical system lights then illuminated as the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stopped and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician stated that the engine serpentine belt was fractured and pulling the brake line out of the fire wall, spinning it around the brake line, the alternator pulley, and the steering rod. The electrical system harness was also fractured. The mechanic replaced the brake line and the engine drive belt. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 44,380.
While sitting at a stop sign, I decided I was a little to far into the road. I shifted into reverse and noticed it shifted really hard. I put it into drive and pulled out onto the road - again it shifted hard. When trying to speed up, the car wouldn't shift out of 1st gear, the check engine light came on and I couldn't speed up. I've been told it is a bad transmission range sensor.
I noticed my car having difficulty accelerating and it would occasionally feel the engine jump while driving. The check engine light was on. I was going down the interstate when the engine shut itself off. Luckily it turned itself back on and I was able to safely accelerate to speed. The shop said that it was the transmission range sensor and the transmission control sensor. A year ago the car was displaying funny symbols and would not start occasionally. Again the same sensors had to be replaced. A third time the car check engine light came on and the car was again having difficulty accelerating. The acceleration issue and the light are intermittent, it has now again begun doing the engine "jump" it is scary being at a light and not being able to move. It is very scary stopping to turn left into my apartment complex and not knowing if my car will respond when I have a gap in traffic to turn. Took it to a shop today to find out that the codes from the engine check light are again the transmission range sensor and the transmission control sensor. The car has under 65k and I have had these issues three times. I am thankful that it has not caused a major accident.
For a few weeks the car had been running a bit off--not really changing gears right-but nothing to raise serious alarm-clunked one time a week ago when slowing down. Yesterday the engine light came on the car made a loud clunk and would not switch into gear. After turning the car off and on the engine light went of and the car was able to be drive. Took it into the local auto parts store--they ran a trouble code which came back po700 and po705. We looked this up and it referred to the transmission range sensor---the auto part fellow said get it in now to be fixed. $200 later the car is now running acceptable again. The car mechanic was able to get the part in a couple hours because the warehouse said this part has an extremely high demand for it so they stock it. We had a long distance trip planned next week and this could have been disastrous to have completely lost the ability to drive or something else.
I bought my car 3-29-09. At 4,000 mi. I began having problems. At 57,059 mi. 4-9-13 was the 18th time my car has been in for svc. I'm on my 3rd dealer (orig. Out of svc.) I am having my 3rd trans installed.can someone say "lemon law ?" 1st they could not find the problem as no codes were shown by the computer. My car at one point was at the dealer for 34 days straight! At times it would not even go into gear or would just die. I have had the TCM,ECM,& trans range switch replaced multiple times.since oct 2012 have getting an intermittent ck eng light, I was finally able to bring it in on 3-29-13 & the ECM was replaced. On 4-8-13 I was barely able to make it in to the shop as my car was stuck in 3rd gear and I was on the hwy the ck eng, light was on. It was the trans range switch again! It was just replaced oct 2012. Mon. Eve. The car would stall in neutral when in drive, slam into gear, the ck eng light remained lit, it was stuck in 3rd gear and the newest development was that as I was driving on the hwy, the lit d (drive) by the odometer was flashing normal & then with a line through it. I got to the dealer, pulled the code & the trans needs to be replaced again! I have absolutely had it with this car and am attempting to re-instate my arbi- tration with them (I dropped it when the supposedly fixed the prob.last yr). 14 of visits were major. Suzuki's tech explained to me that there is an engineering design flaw. My car is dangerous and I no longer want my life in suzuki's hands. I cannot continue to drive a care that can become faulty at any time, especially when I am driving 55-65 MPH on the hwy and the car gets stuck in third gear! My husband has also had the engine die on him while driving.(I took a short video with my phone that shows the ck eng light on and the d flashing with a line through it.every time that the ck eng light comes on lately, it's a new code.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact did not take the vehicle to a dealer or a mechanic for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 47,980.
My transmission range sensor has been replaced twice, both within a 12 months time frame. Both times my car jerks at low and high speeds and my engine light is invoked. The second time the dealership replaced my transmission range sensor...the very same week my vehicle is still experiencing the same exact issues, inclusive of my engine light coming on and staying on for 3 days. Upon return, the dealership says my jerking, hard gear shifting and on board engine light is being caused due to an engine skipping issue, which is "possibly" due to the electronic control module not communicating with the transmission control module. I'll have to pay the dealership $210 to see if the connector between the ECM and the TCM is bad, and if its not bad, I still pay the $210, but then they'll tell me what the next possible step would be?? I feel I'm in a no win situation, it sounds like, just keep writing checks. My issue sounds the same as the countless others that have been documented, my issue should be covered since suzuki is more than aware that these are known issues.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle erroneously slipped out of gear and jolted. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the spark plugs, engine head gasket, and trans range sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the same failure on several occasions. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 45,500.
Started car put it into reverse to back out, aloud "clunk" noise was maid and the car had trouble accelerating. Not it often slips into neutral while driving or will only accelerate in third.
In less than 2 months, I've had to replace several parts of my car that I don't believe is part of regular service maintenance. Thermostat, coolant hose, spark plugs (twice in a year), brake lights and headlight bulbs (replaced twice in a year), transmission control module and motor mounts because of the TCM that made my car jerk all the time whenever I accelerate. Either at a traffic light or on the freeway, my car hesitates to accelerate and jerks every time I shift gears. Now, possibly the transmission range sensor needs to be replaced (I am currently in the process with this one). I'm afraid in the next few months, I'll be spending more on car repairs than the car is worth and it's only a 2008!
The car will not come up to speed when pulling into traffic. Transmission jerks violently and car will not speed up to enter traffic safely. Turn the car off service light goes away, back into traffic and same issue. Car will not go to speed to enter traffic safely!
I am thinking our transmission range sensor went out on our 2008 suzuki forenza with over 70,000 miles. Car check engine light was on for a few days, then turned off about 3 days ago, stopped at drug store, when I turned on the car, the check engine light was back on, put car in reverse and clunk, while the display where the r for reverse would have been was scrambled, car still reversed. Clunked into drive, and wouldn't switch out of 1st gear.
I have been getting service engine soon light on the dashboard. Then shortly after my battery needed to be replaced and I thought that was the problem. Well the next weekend the light came on and now when I switch gears I get a loud thump and the car jumps really hard. I went to advanced auto parts with the service engine light still on they were able to retrieve codes and verify the transmission range sensor a circuit while in park/reverse/nuetral and drive. And they also retrieved the transmission control sensor. I am scared to drive my car now and I will not drive it till it gets fixed. I have had transmission problems for the longest time and I am scared this car will cause an accident. It is a very unsafe car and I am concerned about the problem with the airbag not deploying due to many complaints. You need to do a recall on this car before someone gets badly injured or killed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that when shifting into drive with the brakes depressed, the engine would shift abnormally, causing the check engine warning light to illuminate. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who replaced the brake pads however, the failure persisted. The current mileage was 80,000 and the failure mileage was 73,000.
I have complained consistently about the vibrations at idle and the loud noises in my engine compartment. Also fumes coming thru my vents that burn my eyes at times. Ended up in the er on one occasion and the next day the car had oil all over the valve gasket cover. Car was towed to the dealer but they said they seen no oil but I had pics of the leak. Still get intermittent smells of gas while driving that burn my eyes and throat. The engine gets hot fast and that's when the car starts to accelerate. Seems like it is searching for gears and the rpms rev up. I can feel the engine in my drivers seat really bad. My warranty is almost expired and it is now 2011 and the car has been in twice for the same complaints. Not to mention hearing the struts rattle over bumps and while making turns. They replaced my suspension twice. 1st time was while I only had my car for 2 months. I am not getting no results and this car is very unsafe. Now I am scared if I was to be involved in an accident the airbag may not deploy. They need to recall this car for the faulty transmission and the airbags before someone gets hurt really bad.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the vehicle would exhibit an unusual jerking sensation and a misfire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected and they informed her that she would need to have the catalytic converter replaced. The dealer was unable to repair the failure because part in stock. This failure recurred on an intermittent basis. The catalytic converter was replaced prior to the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 42,400.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that while attempting to drive uphill, the check engine light illuminated, the vehicle lost power and made a loud noise when shifted into reverse. The contact called the manufacturer who advised him to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were approximately 57,000.
Smoke and fumes coming thru vents. Check engine light keeps coming on. Purchased car new 05/06/2008, I have had problem since a few months after purchase. Transmission replaced twice and car still slips and hesitates and has cut off twice while in traffic since the transmission was replaced. Replace serpentine belt which warranty did not cover. Car has 29,500 mi. Loud squealing noise (this was why I paid to have the belt replaced because the dealership service center said this is what the original squealing was from) now they are saying the noise is coming from the tires but stated they did not have time to check it. My car was recently in the service center for 3 weeks because the transmission was bad and the first new replacement went bad during the test drive and they had to put a 3rd transmission inthe car and it still does not drive right. This car is unsafe. I am close to warranty ending and I feel this is why im getting the run around by the dealership. Car locks and unlocks on its own. Car will randomly miss while in drive (engine will rev up when I push the gas pedal with car in drive but will not move) I have to put it in park then put it in drive again to get it to work.
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