Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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 drive have to screw with shifter to get it to go into gear May last for about a mile and jumps back out of gear. Next problem computer tells me throttle positioning sensor is out car works fine at first then starts to rev around 5-6k or it to rev to half a grand and stall while driving down the road.
The car daytime running light module(drl module) burned and melted, lights were not working properly, the emergency brake light remained on, the dashboard, car had a burned smell so strong that I had to detail it and it did not go(the strong burning odor) away after 2 weeks. I took my car to the shop and repaired the problem out of my pocket(drl module). I sent all the proper documentation to Suzuki motor of America cust svc department p.o. Box 1100 brea, ca 92822-1100, including the receipt of the repair, a copy of my driver license, copy of the registration, copy of the title of the vehicle(all documentation that they asked for in the safety recall notice), case and point they do not want to reimburse me, they are giving me a hard time, please help me because Suzuki motor of America is going to find any excuse not to pay me back, because of this irresponsible behavior towards …
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 over, ran to the car on the tow truck bed, opened the driver side door and saw flames engulfing the panel under the steering wheel. He grabbed the fire extinguisher and put out the fire and disconnected the battery. During this time, I was in the cab of the tow truck. Car was then considered a liability, therefor was not allowed at the tow truck yard or my apartment complex. The tow truck driver towed the car to dan vaden Chevrolet, where I had been contacting them for two weeks regarding the part I got a notice on about the recall.
We were sent a safety recall notice dated 7/22/2014 stating there is a defect relating to abnormal operation of the high and/or low beam headlamps and the daytime running lamps. The notification states "recall service parts are not yet available to correct this condition. Providing repair parts is a top priority, however, their availability is not known at this time. Vehicle owners will be notified by mail when repair parts are available and scheduling appointments can then begin". It has been nearly one full year and no further communication from Suzuki motor of America, inc. Has been received. In the meantime we are forced to operate a vehicle with "an increased risk of fire" and with the possibility that someone May not be able to properly see the vehicle due to the malfunctioning headlights. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that the headlights and hazard lights failed. The contact also stated that there was a burning odor being emitted. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the fuse was melted and burned. In addition, the carpet near the driver side was burned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. Additionally, the contact received notifications for NHTSA campaign id number: 14V262000 (electrical) and stated that the part was not available for the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
Car headlight shut of on me while driving down road along with air conditioning and windows they all shut off on me while driving windows would not go down and I had to pull over near the nearest store and cut car off thanks I turned it back on and they all srarted working accept the air that didnt start working again till about thirty mins later car also jumps when pulling out of park in to drive or reverse really hard jump the car headlights also flicker when pressing windows buttons to go down tire sensor light wont go out car also has a hard time accelerating going uphill u have press down all the way on gas for it to go
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that while parked, smoke started to emit inside of the vehicle and flames emerged from under the left side of the steering column. The flames spread through the entire vehicle. The fire department extinguished the flames. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the fire could have been caused by a wiring malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. While traveling 15 MPH, the steering and the ignition seized and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to get the steering and ignition to release, but the brake pedal extended to the floor when the failure occurred. There was no warning prior to the failure. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the steering cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 91,000.
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 dash were completely melted and the dash burned all the way back to the firewall. It appears to have started in or right at the steering wheel.
I have had the transmission range sensor replaced on my 2008 Suzuki Forenza twice already and it has malfunctioned again. When it malfunctions, my car jerks heavily when changing gears, and it is an automatic engine. The rpms will not exceed 3000, the check engine light comes on, and "hold" flashes in the dash. The car accelerates very slowly shudders above 50 MPH. The speedometer has dropped to zero while I have been driving on the highway, so I cannot tell how fast I am going.
Electrical complaints in other Forenza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Suzuki Forenza?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Suzuki Forenza, 21% of the model year's 152 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › fuses and circuit breakers (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Suzuki Forenza electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 6 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.