2008 Suzuki Forenza: complete transmission failure

Filed Jun 14, 2018 · Engine · 129,000 miles · TN

"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!

Filed Jul 17, 2017 · Airbags, Seats · VA

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.

Filed Aug 26, 2016 · Transmission · 63,350 miles · IL

I have already replaced the transmission range sensor once in october of 2014 and it is acting up again now. When I am driving the car jerks when it is shifting gears and on a couple occasions it has just switched into neutral for no reason while the car is still in motion. The most recent time was on my home from work on 8/22/16. I had to pull over and stop and start my car a few times to reset the problem. The part should not have to be replaced every couple years. This is a safety hazard and this needs to be fixed by suzuki.

Filed Oct 17, 2013 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · MO

I have replaced the transmission range sensor in my 2008 suzuki forenza 3 times in the last year. Once at 95,000 miles, another at 101,000 miles, and now again at 109,000. I have attempted to contact suzuki to no avail. The second time the sensor went out, I was merging on the highway and was nearly hit by a semi truck and trailer because I could not accelerate properly. The 3rd incident was yesterday 10/16/2013, I was pulling out of a parking lot onto a main road, when the sensor decided to slip, it moved the transmission into a high gear, causing me to inch out of where I was at in the middle of the road. Luckily, I was not hit. I would like to see suzuki acknowledge the fact they need to do something about this issue. It appears to be a very common problem that multiple people are having online.

Filed Apr 19, 2013 · Transmission · 49,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started to hesitate as if it were attempting to stall. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the transmission range switch needed to be replaced. The contact had the dealer replace the transmission range switch four times, but the failure continued to recur. The contact stated that after the second repair, the manufacturer assisted with 100 percent of the repair costs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 49,000 and the current mileage was 73,000.

Filed Jan 22, 2013 · Transmission · 61,570 miles · NY · crash

I purchased this car new in 2/ 2009. I have had to have it into the shop for repairs of check engine light and transmission, ultimately leading to a transmission replacement on 7/17/12. It has been in the shop 14 times from 7/24/10 until the present most of which included the check engine light/and or the transmission failure, still today my car is in the shop because it won't reverse. The accident that occurred on 12/24/2012 could have possibly been avoided had I been able to reverse because as the car approached me I attempted to reverse when it failed.

Filed Dec 20, 2011 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · MO

Had to replace the transmission range sensor. $140 fix between parts and labor. Of course it wasn't under the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

Filed Sep 26, 2011 · Transmission · 46,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. The contact was driving 15 MPH when the transmission failure light illuminated and the vehicle shifted to a higher gear independently. The failure recurred on four separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the transmission mode switch needed replacement. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 46,000.

Filed Jun 11, 2011 · Transmission · 34,100 miles · FL

Suzuki forenza 2008 transmission problems with 34000 miles and the dealer says I have to change the transmission and the warranty does not cover repair,they told me that have three choices :new car,new transmission for $4000 dollars or 1600 dollars to repair it. Is just that?

Filed May 12, 2011 · Transmission · 26,526 miles · WI

The car hesitates during cold start up. The car also jumps out of gear while I'm driving and has LED to several near miss accidents where both me and my daughter could have been severely injured. Trying to get help from the american suzuki customer assistance is a joke. The customer service is bad and every time you call back to follow-up the person that was handling your case mysteriously quits. All they do is jerk you around until the basic warranty expires and you're no longer their problem. After this all repairs are out of pocket. I have taken my car to get repaired several times and each time they don't know what's wrong. I have had two new transmissions put in and my car only has 29,856 miles on it. I can't believe there hasn't been a recall on this vehicle; it is a safety hazard. I guess this is why suzuki was so quick to discontinue manufacturing this vehicle the same year it was produced. I want suzuki to take responsibility for this defective vehicle and either replace it or refund the purchase price of the car. I refuse to pass this problem on to another consumer. The dealerships clearly misrepresented the safety and quality of this vehicle. Its not fair that consumers are getting ripped off and no one seems to care!!

Filed Jun 15, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 5,000 miles · FM

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.