2008 Suzuki Forenza problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (53) · Air Bags (19) · Vehicle Speed Control (18)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Suzuki Forenza model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
129 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2014-05-19 · campaign 14V262000 · 184,244 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (13)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Suspension 2022-07-08 · SUZ_016008 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.
Suspension 2018-11-20 · N-Q-G-045 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin was sent by suzuki motor corporation to its authorized suzuki automobile distributors in the u.s., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.
Seats 2016-05-18 · SUZ_013175 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin updates a bulletin originally issued on may 18, 2016, concerning a special warranty extension (zh) for 2005-2008 suzuki forenza and suzuki reno vehicles. the updates are: (1) the existence of diagnostic trouble code (dtc) b1379 is added to the list of dtcs that make a vehicle
Engine 2013-08-08 · TS-30-06263 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suzuki: suzuki has replacement oil pumps that have a threaded plug. the threaded proves to be difficult to remove without causing damage to the new oil pump. this bulletin provides procedures when replacing the old oil pump. *js
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2013-03-12 · TS 03 02283 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
long brake pedal travel forenza equipped with abs brakes. customers may complain of long brake pedal travel and/or reduced brake performance. suzuki. *kb
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2013-02-28 · SC-65 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
loss of brake function-extended brake pedal travel. vehicles may experience reduced brake performance and/or spongy, low brake pedal operation due to the sticking condition of the valve within the abs module. suzuki. *kb
Showing the 6 most recent of 13 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-09-25 · Vehicle Speed Control“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 driv…”
2019-05-20 · Power Train · 95,566 mi“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…”
2018-07-24 · Exterior Lighting · 80,121 mi · 🔥 fire“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…”
2018-06-14 · Unknown Or Other · 129,000 mi“"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…”
2017-09-22 · Electrical System · 120,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 …”
2017-07-30 · Electrical System · 🔥 fire“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 …”
2017-07-17 · Seats“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 …”
2017-07-11 · Service Brakes · 113,448 mi“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.…”
2016-12-08 · Power Train · 53,000 mi“transmission regulation sensor - car jumping out of gear while driving. dangerous very dangerous. *tr…”
2016-10-20 · Electrical System“electrical door locking system malfunctioning, doors will not remain locked, has constant clicking and unlocking all doors when i lock the car.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.