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 2006 Suzuki Forenza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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!! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that while attempting to shift the vehicle into reverse, there was an abnormal banging noise that emitted from the vehicle and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that there would also be an 'x' on the instrument panel next to the 'd' for drive on the shift selector. The contact was an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the range transmission sensor needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
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.
At speed on interstate highway, the car suddenly fell out of gear, and lost speed rapidly. Dash transmission display showed scrambled gear in place of d. Car continues to experience similar incidents and does not properly change gears; occasionally displays scrambled letter in place of appropriate display (r,n,d, 3, etc.)
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.
Steering wheel malfunction - loss of vehicle control and drove off the road manufacturer and car dealership did not help multiple other defects, including engine stalling/gears "sticking" - please refer details in letter to be sent to your office by mail.
I own a 2006 Suzuki Forenza sedan. When putting the car into gear, transmission "slams" into gear, instrument panel display scrambles. Sometimes vehicle slips into a higher or lower gear on its own. A week ago, I was passing another vehicle on a two lane highway. While still in the opposite lane, car switched into neutral on its own and I was left in the opposing lane with oncoming traffic coming! I was able to switch to another gear and continued to safely pass the car in front of me, but it was a bit scary. Fortunately, the car I was passing was driving about 40 MPH under the speed limit. From what I've read online, there have been several different instances of this issue occurring. It is related to the transmission range sensor. Currently the dealership charges nearly $300 to replace the part, and some say they have similar issues even after the replacement. …
My 2006 Suzuki Forenza (current mileage : 51798 miles) sedan's transmission is slipping intermittently when driving on the freeways above the speed of 40-50 miles per hour. The check engine light came on and a line through the "d" on the instrument panel showed up, which acts like the car is in neutral. When trying to accelerate by pushing the accelerator pedal, the car engines revs and delivers no power. If you pull over on the curb, turn the car off and restart it then the car is back to normal. I has done this 8-10 times now in the past 2 weeks. The failure continued to recur and I have taken this vehicle to an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission range selector switch which needed to be replaced due the error code "po 705 trans range sensor malfunction" showing up on the diagnostic system. …
I own a 2006 Suzuki Forenza. A little over month ago, me and my family were driving on the highway, and the car started jerking and slowing down very suddenly. After switching into 3rd gear and then back to drive, the car finally started picking up speed and driving correctly. A few days after that, I drove my daughter to school and when I got back in the car to go home, the car would not drive over 10mph. It kept jerking very hard. I took it to get diagnostics done and found that it is the transmission range sensor. I have done research on this issue with this particular vehicle and have found that this issue is very wide spread. I feel that no matter how well the maintenance on this vehicle is kept up, this issue is destined to become a problem and a safety issue. …
I am so upset that my 2006 Suzuki Forenza transmission range sensor has been going out. I have had this part replaced back in 2009 and it went out while I was driving and almost caused a car accident as I was driving due to the gears shifting as I was on the expressway and had to pull over on the shoulder. I went to the Suzuki dealership and advise of the problem and said that it not covered under the powertrain warranty. I am not have the same problem with my car and as I was going through a light with busy traffic the same issue and almost caused a car to rear ended me and due to the gear changing and causing my car to go slow. Suzuki should have longer warranties on these parts longer that a year due to the part is not lasting. Then the engine light will come on and then the dashboard gears will scramble. …
Transmission complaints in other Forenza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Suzuki Forenza?
NHTSA has 116 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Suzuki Forenza, 41% of the model year's 280 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (48 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Suzuki Forenza transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.