Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Suzuki Forenza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. While driving at approximately 40 MPH and attempting to avoid crashing into a deer, the contact crashed into a tree. The frontal air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,981.
Was traveling at a rate approximately 35 miles per hour vehicle in from of me stop abruptly. I hit them. Driver side fender, hood, bumper all smashed. In area where airbag sensor is, it should have deployed. Car has been totaled. We too had issue with the flashing passenger airbag light took it to dealer they could not fix said it was temperamental on how you sit is seat.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH another vehicle crash into the contacts vehicle. During the crash none of the air bags deployed. The contact was taken to the emergency room for injuries suffer to the neck and back. During the crash the frame was damage and the engine moved. The contact feels the air bags should have deployed since the impact of the crash was severe. Failure mileage was 16,000. Updated 3/24/10 updated 05/10/10
I was in an accident in which my car rear ended another vehicle that was broken down at night and I did not see. The car made impact on the front driver's side and according to the collision center, sustained 70% worth of damage. I was traveling approximately 35 MPH when the accident occurred. The impact was enough so that the steering wheel was bent. I sustained head, face, neck, and knee injuries. No airbag deployed at any time.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. While driving approximately 30 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front end of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a neck and a back injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000. ......updated 01/12/15 updated 01/15/15.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that the driver and the passenger side air bag warning lights illuminated. When the front passenger seat was occupied or not, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who reset the code more than once, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The vehicle was completely destroyed and none of the air bags deployed. The contact was moderately injured due to impacting the steering column. A police report was filed. The contact has pictures of the incident. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure and current mileages were 3,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag in the seat inadvertently deployed causing significant injury to the contacts eardrum and the seat was destroyed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.
About every 3 to 4 months the airbag light goes off. This has been going on for over 4 years. The wiring under the passenger seat has to be redone and the airbag light reset. Is a safety hazard as at this point who knows if the airbag would deploy in an accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that the driver side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,125.
Airbag complaints in other Forenza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Suzuki Forenza?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Suzuki Forenza, 21% of the model year's 152 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Suzuki Forenza airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 Suzuki Forenza, though it has 1 recall 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 2008 Suzuki Forenza airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to air bags 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.