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Suzuki Forenza jerking problems

68 of the 907 owner complaints about the Suzuki Forenza describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
68
worst model year
2006
typical repair cost reported
$260
typical mileage
60,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

What owners say

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 Jul 2, 2016 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · VA

2005 suzuki forenza. Car has 78,000 miles. Manual transmission. Transmission jerks, slips and is now is stuck in the highest gear. Will barely pull out. The problem started with the slipping. This lead to the jerking. Then is started to down shift violently with no notice throwing you forward. These events appear to only present when driving in town conditions. Have not experienced any issues on highway. I have had it to mechanics twice with no success. The last time the transmission range sensor was replaced. At no time has an error code been present that would lead a trained mechanic to a viable repair. This situation is dangerous.

Filed Apr 28, 2016 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 117,000 miles · NC

The vehicle was stationary each time this occurred (3 times at stop lights, and yesterday, 4/27/16, in a parking lot). When I come to a stop (with foot on brake), the car starts to accelerate hard trying to go forward. Each time I put both feet on brake, and it still couldn't stop it, so I jerked it into park, then turned off key. Each time that kept me from crashing. It was scary because I have children in the car. Suzuki dealership in winston-salem didn't seem to know what it was, but said I could tow it in to get it looked at (cost $$$). Then I called suzuki dealer in raleigh nc and they said to bring it in for $110 for them to just look at it. It only happens randomly, so I don't trust that they will be able to figure it out. Please see the following weblink that described others having the same problem, but no solution (even after they took it to be worked on at suzuki place). Http://www.carcomplaints.com/suzuki/forenza/2008/engine/vehicle_speed_control.shtml thanks.

Filed Mar 16, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 108,000 miles · SC

I have had the transmission range sensor replaced on my 2008 suzuki forenza twice already and it has malfunctioned again. When it malfunctions, my car jerks heavily when changing gears, and it is an automatic engine. The rpms will not exceed 3000, the check engine light comes on, and "hold" flashes in the dash. The car accelerates very slowly shudders above 50 MPH. The speedometer has dropped to zero while I have been driving on the highway, so I cannot tell how fast I am going.

Filed Oct 24, 2015 · Transmission · 139,000 miles · TN

This is not the first time this has occurred. I had been traveling home as normal, all of a sudden the car started jerking. Look down at my gear selection viewer and it was scrambled showing a d and a r overlapping each other flashing. This happens periodically causing the car to stall in the middle of traffic. I am not the first person to have the problem with this specific model of car. The events that occurred are very dangerous for myself and my family and whomever else this is affecting.

Filed Oct 21, 2015 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 suzuki forenza. The contact stated that the transmission jerked and the vehicle would not accelerate when prompted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired, but the issue recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 110,000.

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 16, 2014 · 60,000 miles · KS

When I came to a stop at a stop light the engine made a loud thunking noise and jerked. The display showed the letter "d" with a slash through it. When the light changed to green my car would not accelerate normally. I was finally able to get the car to move by revving the engine up to 4000 RPM and it slowly crept forward. The mechanic advised the transmission range sensor was bad and needed to be replaced. Additionally the paint has chipped off on all the doors and 2 of the inside door handles have broken off.

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).

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Suzuki Forenza jerking

Which Suzuki Forenza years have jerking or lurching problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (26 complaints), 2007 (18 complaints) and 2008 (13 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix jerking or lurching on the Suzuki Forenza?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $260 (median of 11 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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