Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Suzuki Forenza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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). …
My transmission range sensor has failed for the third time in as many years. Each time I have it repaired by the dealership. This malfunction causes the vehicle to spontaneously throw itself in to neutral or reverse either while driving or when vehicle is at a complete stop. While driving my car suddenly jerked very hard then slowed to an almost complete stop causing the car behind me to slam on its brakes and hit my bumper. I stopped, restarted the engine and then was not able to accelerate past 15mph even with my foot firmly on the gas pedal. Like I said before, this is the 3rd time this has failed and I am glad that the person who was behind me stopped quickly and only tapped my bumper. This has also happened at higher speeds and is just an accident waiting to happen. Suzuki needs to do a major recall!! …
Vehicle sporadically stalls while driving, not a stop light or sign but while the car is actively being driven and the accelerator is depressed. Most recently it has begun to rev up between 4,000 and 5,000 RPM. When this happens, I put the car in neutral to try to get it back to normal. 2 days ago when this happened it caused me to hit a pot hole hard enough to break my driver side ball joint and lower control arm. I see recalls for other, same year model suzukis that experienced this same issue. I don't think I should have to pay to repair a known mechanical defect. There is also an NHTSA id describing this issue as well. It is extremely scary to have the car reving that high and trying to control it. I am thankful that I only hit a pot hole and not another vehicle or worse.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body was faulty and needed to be replaced. The throttle body was replaced, but the failure continued. The contact indicated that the throttle body was replaced on several different occasions, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 36,000.
While driving the cars check engine light will show up. I lose all control of speed even while pushing the gas pedal in. The only way to regain control is to cycle the key multiple times and let it idle in neutral for five minutes. After I regain control the check engine light is still on, and the car will jump revolutions randomly. This will occur on both city and highway speeds, it doesn't act up unless I'm in motion driving. It will rev I'n revolutions while I'm driving or at a stop.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. While driving 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the throttle body sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,800.
My 2006 Suzuki Forenza looses acceleration while driving; simply put the gas pedal doesn't work. While driving on the highway at speed, and with out cruise control, I will let up on the accelerator and when the accelerator is pressed in again I have no acceleration. This type of incident has occurred numerous times on the highway; even while attempting to pass a vehicle. This is very concerning because I feel I might be run over by a vehicle behind me if I loose acceleration. The vehicle has a tendency to lunge forward while stopped due to this malfunction of the throttle body. The car is not safe to drive anywhere with the possibility that it will not accelerate properly or lunge forward into a car at a stop light. I have contacted Suzuki and they tell me it is not a malfunction and will not honor their 7yr; 70,000 mile warranty. …
A malfunction occurs when I attempt to shift gears from park to any other. 1. It makes a loud, deep sound, similar to "thunk-thunk" and if I don't have my foot on the brake hard enough, the car lurches. 2. The dashboard signal for pdrn etc randomly changes to a weird symbol that is not any letter in the American alphabet. 3. It makes a revving sound which should indicate a higher velocity when in fact it is at a lower velocity. 4. It will not accelerate properly. When entering a high frequency road or highway, I have to floor the gas pedal to go normal speed then maintain it. 5. It shifts out of drive into neutral while I am driving and independently of my activity, thankfully approximately only about once every month. 6. The check engine light is always on. 7. The mechanic said it was related to the transmission but was called a range something or other. 8. …
Driving down residential street vehicle stalled and began to idle high while in the "d" position. Applied brakes and tried to put it in to "p" position but dash read reverse. Turned ignition off and gears shifted as designed. 4 incidents followed this one have not had it repaired.I was putting gas in with the engine off one I got back into the vehicle cranked it and immediately the scrambled symbol appeared I cut the engine back off and tried it again and the scrambled symbol was still visible I shifted down through several gears with clunking noises and heavy jerking until I was able to find drive 3, I was able to move the vehicle at a slow pace to a parking space until I had it towed to my home. Sent it to a mechanic had throttle repaired put the very same day the very same problem occurred while my children and I were on the interstate headed home from their school. …
I bought my 2006 Suzuki Forenza brand new. The engine gave out on me in 2009. I replaced the engine once. Additional to the engine problems, one day while exiting from a major highway, the car just stopped going about 45 MPH and started going about 10 MPH, while a noticeable flashing square with a blinking line comes up on the gear indicator, on the dash. I almost caused an accident. I was told it was the transmission range sensor which I've now replaced two times. Note: brand new transmission range sensors were placed and still have the same issue. When I put it from park to drive (gear), the motor jerks and feels like the motor's going to fall off. The catalytic converter has also failed to pass inspection. The A/C gave out about 2 years from the time I bought it (brand new car). It's not a reliable car, at all. Once I fix something, something else breaks. …
Acceleration complaints in other Forenza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2006 Suzuki Forenza?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2006 Suzuki Forenza, 10% of the model year's 280 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Suzuki Forenza acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2006 Suzuki Forenza, though it has 4 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 2006 Suzuki Forenza acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.