Suzuki Forenza Engine Problems

Engine complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Engine
  16
• Exhaust system
  4
• Cooling system
  3
• Exhaust system › Emission control
  3
• Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
  2
• Engine › Gasoline
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  2923%
• 25k–50k
  2520%
• 50k–75k
  3326%
• 75k–100k
  2116%
• 100k–150k
  1915%
• 150k+
  11%

What owners report

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. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Suzuki Forenza. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the driver noticed smoke inside the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was pulled over and the driver called for assistance. The contact arrived at the scene, opened the hood, turned off the relay switch, and allowed the vehicle to cool down. There was no fire report filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (dwayne lane Suzuki, 10415 evergreen way, everett, wa, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the relay switch (which controlled the fan for the heater and the air conditioner) caught fire and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was not provided.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Suzuki Forenza. After the contact parked the vehicle and left, she noticed that the dashboard and visor were melted when she returned. The windshield was foggy due to an apparent engine fire. The insurance company was notified. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.

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 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.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. While driving approximately 35 MPH, there was burning odor emitting from the vehicle. The contact noticed smoke under the hood, the headlights, and the floorboard without warning. The contact pulled over and discovered that the vehicle caught fire. The contact sustained a burn on the right leg that required medical attention. There was no incident report filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V262000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was 119,115.

I bought a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. I had no idea that these cars are so hazardous. On the second day after my purchase, the car suddenly went into reverse on the highway in rush hour traffic. I was lucky enough to get it out of reverse and coast to the shoulder. I have since found out this is an ongoing defect that, and that there are many more. I also found out that Suzuki has been made aware but sits back and does nothing about it. This car has the potential of being deadly and needs to be removed from the market so that people like me aren't forced to drive something so unsafe. I can't afford the costly repairs and I can't sell this car. I am scared to death that in one of the many stalls some one is going to hit me. It should have never been on the market to start with. I am confident that if someone hasn't already been killed because of this defective car that they will be.