Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Suzuki Forenza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I bought a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. I had no idea that these cars are so hazardous. On the second day after my purchase, the car suddenly went into reverse on the highway in rush hour traffic. I was lucky enough to get it out of reverse and coast to the shoulder. I have since found out this is an ongoing defect that, and that there are many more. I also found out that Suzuki has been made aware but sits back and does nothing about it. This car has the potential of being deadly and needs to be removed from the market so that people like me aren't forced to drive something so unsafe. I can't afford the costly repairs and I can't sell this car. I am scared to death that in one of the many stalls some one is going to hit me. It should have never been on the market to start with. I am confident that if someone hasn't already been killed because of this defective car that they will be.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated while driving 37 MPH, the gear shifter independently shifted from drive to reverse causing the front wheels to locked up and the vehicle to stall. The contact shifted the vehicle into park, restarted the vehicle, and shifted back into drive. The contact had taken the vehicle to local dealer yesride (1315 s cumberland st, morristown, tn 37813) who diagnosed that the transmission range sensor was faulty and need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the transmission failed to shift which prevented the vehicle from increasing speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the shift control module failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not accelerate or would hesitate to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the transmission but the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that there was a loud knocking noise coming from the transmission. In addition, the vehicle would decelerate independently when driving at 50 MPH and above. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced at the start of the year. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 01/18/12 the consumer stated in January 2011, the transmission completely failed resulting in having to replace it with a brand new one. In June 2011, the vehicle jerked extremely hard while driving and then wouldn't accelerated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they replaced the transmission range sensor. In November 2011, the vehicle jerked hard again and left the consumer stranded. …
Having trouble with my 2005 Suzuki Forenza and was wondering if your site could assist me. I took it back for numerous occasions for air bag sensor,headlight failure,key not being able to come out of ignition,and unable to move gearshift out of park without putting a key in console gearshift.dealership wants to charge me for labor. I am a single mother and I need advise on what I should do.they don't want to let me trade it in without $3,000. I think its wrong to do something like taking advantage of people.I have to drive 60 miles to the dealership and gas is three dollars a gallon.I'm fed up and any help in this matter would be appreciated thank you angela young
Purchased this vehicle one month prior to problem. The automatic transmission constantly hunts for gears, shifting abruptly and sharply without provocation. At 2,950 miles, the 'check engine' light came on and engine began to groan. When proceeding from a stop, the engine would rev but the vehicle would not move as if transmission was not engaged. After a short period, vehicle would jerk violently and transmission would engage, but constantly shift early or late and hunt between gears. Took vehicle to dealer to solve problem. Was informed that the 'check engine' was definitely on and that a transmission flush was performed to solve the problem, as per a "recall" on 2005 Forenza transmissions. Transmission does shift smoother now, but still has jerky moments.
Gears started shifting on their own, and at times did not shift at all...thank god I was already arriving home when it suddenly jumped into park, bringing the car to a screeching halt, at this point I was already slowing down to get into the driveway. This happened after I had a 1hrs drive on a highway, it would have been a huge accident if this would have happened while on the road. Since this happened, I did my research online and found out this is a very common problem with this vehicle. The bad part is the transmission range sensor. I since then had the car inspected by a mechanic and read the codes p0700 and p0705 that is for that part.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. When the contact parked the vehicle and removed the key from the ignition it is hot, the vehicle would slip out of park. The vehicle was taken to America's motor sports (930 8th ave s, nashville, tn 37203, [phone]) for repairs. After the repair, the key became hot whenever it was removed from the ignition. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but was not diagnosed due to the cost. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.
Transmission complaints in other Forenza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Suzuki Forenza?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Suzuki Forenza, 19% of the model year's 156 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Suzuki Forenza transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Suzuki Forenza, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Suzuki Forenza transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.