Suzuki Forenza harsh shifting problems

Filed Jan 9, 2015 · Transmission · 15,897 miles · CA

Vehicle purchased new in 2006. Under 16,000 miles one owner. Hard shifted out of park or reverse. Lost power when in drive with normal RPM's~ diagnosed as faulty transmission range sensor by independent repair shop. Replacement part also faulty. Please note mechanic used term "faulty". Extreme safety issue. I expect suzuki motor company to issue a safety recall with parts that are designed not to fail at such low mileage.

Filed Aug 15, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 114,000 miles · TX

Put my car in r (reverse) on a level driveway and it made a clunking sound as if it were being forced. The dash gave a signal instead of an r for reverse, a square with a line through it. As I put it into d (drive) it dragged to accelerate. The check engine lamp came on and the local mechanic said his computer read transmission range sensor. He said the trs and the catalytic converter need to be changed. The car needs a couple of motor mounts. This will easily cost me over 800.00 including labor. I just finished having the transmission coils and wires replaced ($350.00) having just purchased this vehicle (used) from a private party; my concerns are high regarding safety and costs for repairs. What of a recall concerning the transmission range sensor? Please help!!

Filed May 27, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 65,040 miles · KS

I was driving down a busy street in stop and go traffic. While stopped at a stop light, my vehicle made a very loud "clunk" noise, lurched forward and the check engine light came on. When I attempted to accelerate after the light turned green, I had to push the gas pedal almost to the floor to get the vehicle to move forward. I pulled over and parked, turned the vehicle off, waited about a minute, turned the vehicle back on, and the problem had gone away although the check engine light was still on. A day or so later, while I was driving on the highway going approximately 65 miles per hour, the vehicle made the "clunk" noise, lurched forward and the check engine light came on again. This time, because I was already in motion, the rpms jumped up above 3000, which is very high for a 4 cylinder engine only going 65 miles per hour. Again, I pulled over, turned the vehicle off, waited about a minute, turned the car on and was able to drive the vehicle normally again although the check engine light remained illuminated. This issue has been happening randomly about 20 times a year over the course of the last 2 1/2 - 3 years.

Filed May 26, 2014 · Transmission · 38,457 miles · NM

I started the car. Let it idle for a minute to bring the RPM down. I tried to shift it to reverse but it would not go. It had an engine warning light on. I shifted back to park and turned the car off. I let it set for a minute then restarted it. When I shifted again, it clunked and would barely move. I shifted to drive and it clunked and would barely move. I am a single 55 year old woman. I work 2 jobs and live 8 miles out of town. I can't afford to have this car down. I bought it because of the low mileage. It only has 39,000 miles.

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 Oct 21, 2013 · Transmission · 53,000 miles · UT

I turned on the car, when I put into reverse it clunked and the screen that usually says r just had scrambled letters going then when I put it into drive it clunked again and when I drive it like that it starts in 2nd so I have to put a lot of gas onto it then it won't switch into 3rd gear, and every time I take it to a mechanic the check engine light goes off and it works fine.

Filed Aug 19, 2013 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that while in reverse, she noticed a loud clunking noise. The check engine light illuminated and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would slip into different gears independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the transmission range sensor would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred three times. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Jun 27, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 79,000 miles · WA

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.

Filed Jun 18, 2013 · Transmission · 42,000 miles · PA

When shifting out of park dashboard does not recognize gear and loses great amount of power. When driving gears do not shift correctly. Makes a clunking noise. Sometimes when I push the gas pedal very lightly the car jumps forward and other times it doesn't want to move at all.

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.