Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the vehicle accelerated independently causing the contact to loose control and crash into a wall. It was unknown if injuries were sustained or if a police report was filed. In addition, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available. Updated 4/6/15
Tl contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Forenza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was engaged and failed to respond as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine wire harness and the engine control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,844. Updated 6/11/15 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired by replacing the engine wire harness. …
I bought the car from a dealership mccann car lot in sparta nc mccann told me it was the best car on the lot he drove me through town telling me there was no problem with the car then let me drive it a short distance insured me the car was in perfect condition when I drove the car home after we went to get inspected which nothing was checked junior mccann told them nothing was wrong the driver side headlight melted the cover now can't drive the car because the heater smells so bad I got sick from inhaled the odor I reported this to junior mccann his reply was I was smelling something he didn't smell my husband also smelled the odor and got bad headache he never once said there was a recall on this car
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
The transmission range sensor on Suzuki forenzas and other models has been shoddy at best. My car currently has 65000 miles on it and I have replaced the trs 3 times getting ready to be a 4th. This is not a sensor that should need replaced regularly. I have had the vehicle slip out of gear at speed due to this and can never accelerate when I need to. Im afraid that if I need to accelerate to avoid a collision I wont be able to. This is a safety hazard and NHTSA needs to investigate. They have more then enough complaints to see this is an issue and they need to act before someone gets killed.
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.
"Takata recall" gear shift keeps slipping and maybe the cause of needing a new transmission. Had to turn car off in middle of traffic because gear slipped. When car was in drive a symbol popped up with a d with a line though it! Took it to o'reilly and put it on machine about 3weeks after the first time it happened and it read some codes about gear and transmission and an employee there said gear slipping could have been the cause of all the other problems!
Smoke and fumes coming thru vents. Check engine light keeps coming on. Purchased car new 05/06/2008, I have had problem since a few months after purchase. Transmission replaced twice and car still slips and hesitates and has cut off twice while in traffic since the transmission was replaced. Replace serpentine belt which warranty did not cover. Car has 29,500 mi. Loud squealing noise (this was why I paid to have the belt replaced because the dealership service center said this is what the original squealing was from) now they are saying the noise is coming from the tires but stated they did not have time to check it. My car was recently in the service center for 3 weeks because the transmission was bad and the first new replacement went bad during the test drive and they had to put a 3rd transmission inthe car and it still does not drive right. This car is unsafe. …
I was driving down a busy street in stop and go traffic. While stopped at a stop light, my vehicle made a very loud "clunk" noise, lurched forward and the check engine light came on. When I attempted to accelerate after the light turned green, I had to push the gas pedal almost to the floor to get the vehicle to move forward. I pulled over and parked, turned the vehicle off, waited about a minute, turned the vehicle back on, and the problem had gone away although the check engine light was still on. A day or so later, while I was driving on the highway going approximately 65 miles per hour, the vehicle made the "clunk" noise, lurched forward and the check engine light came on again. This time, because I was already in motion, the rpms jumped up above 3000, which is very high for a 4 cylinder engine only going 65 miles per hour. …
My transmission range sensor has been replaced twice, both within a 12 months time frame. Both times my car jerks at low and high speeds and my engine light is invoked. The second time the dealership replaced my transmission range sensor...the very same week my vehicle is still experiencing the same exact issues, inclusive of my engine light coming on and staying on for 3 days. Upon return, the dealership says my jerking, hard gear shifting and on board engine light is being caused due to an engine skipping issue, which is "possibly" due to the electronic control module not communicating with the transmission control module. I'll have to pay the dealership $210 to see if the connector between the ECM and the TCM is bad, and if its not bad, I still pay the $210, but then they'll tell me what the next possible step would be?? …
Engine complaints in other Forenza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Suzuki Forenza?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Suzuki Forenza, 19% of the model year's 152 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Suzuki Forenza engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.