NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2008 Suzuki Forenza (Page 1 of 2)

CarComplaints.com Notes: Even an optional bluetooth upgrade couldn't save the Forenza after the 2008 model year.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,420 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Suzuki Forenza electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Suzuki Forenza Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Jan 052022

Forenza

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Roaring Spring, PA, USA

problem #29

Sep 202017

Forenza

  • 120,000 miles
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.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #28

Jul 272017

Forenza

  • miles
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.

- Dime Box, TX, USA

problem #27

Aug 012016

Forenza

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Electrical door locking system malfunctioning, doors will not remain locked, has constant clicking and unlocking all doors when I lock the car.

- Miramar, FL, USA

problem #26

Jun 082016

Forenza

  • 91,000 miles
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

- Ocean City, NJ, USA

problem #25

Mar 152016

Forenza

  • 108,000 miles
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.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #24

Jun 202009

Forenza

  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission range sensor failure.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #23

Aug 212015

Forenza

  • miles
The drl stayed on even after the car was parked and off. I just came home with my son and newborn thank god we were not in the car. The car started smoking which caused a fire. The fire department came out, investigated and looked up recalls and my car was on the list the same thing happened, on the left side. Now my car is ruined! I hope Suzuki will be replacing my car!

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #22

Jul 222014

Forenza

  • 42,000 miles
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. Millions of cars have been made with properly functioning headlights and daytime running lamps, this cannot possibly be that difficult of a repair to quickly engineer and implement. Is this unnecessary delay due to the fact that Suzuki no longer sells vehicles in the U.S. and therefore no longer thinks it has the obligation to fulfill recall requirements?? any help that can be provided would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #21

Mar 212015

Forenza 4-cyl

  • miles
My head lights were on dim, there was a flash and one light went out. About a mile later, the other head light went out. I had to run with my high beams on because I had no dim headlights. I received a recall letter that states that my car could be affected and I want this fixed! this car is my only way of going.

- Houston, AL, USA

problem #20

Jan 052015

Forenza

  • 91,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Camden, NJ, USA

problem #19

Mar 142015

Forenza 4-cyl

  • 104,541 miles
While car was moving, it unlocked twice, then stopped, then unlocked twice again. It kept repeating this over and over for about 10 minutes.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #18

Jul 012014

Forenza 4-cyl

  • 118,200 miles
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 customers and the bad products they make are out of the market.

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #17

Oct 142014

Forenza 4-cyl

  • 34,500 miles
Bought vehicle approx 1 1/2yrs ago. It had about 26,000 miles. It now has approx 34,500 ad still has the Suzuki warranty. I just had to replace a transmission rang senor and now being told codes B1382, B114, B1102, B1103, B1405 came on and needs replacement of diagnostic module and passenger airbags!! I feel this should be under warranty since this is a huge safety issue! I am told it will cost $1400 and the airbags won't deploy until I get work done! I simply cannot afford this!!! this "sensor module" seems defective to me if all these problems keep arising. Also the tire pressure sensor will not turn off since time of purchase.

- Ashley, PA, USA

problem #16

Aug 252014

Forenza

  • 96,000 miles
My headlights all of a sudden stayed on even after the car had been turned off, and I felt a lot of heat coming from underneath the steering wheel on the left side; there was a small relay or module so hot you couldn't even touch it; I had to the headlights fuse off and let it cool down. I proceeded to take the module off and unplug it, did some research and found out that there was a recall on this module called the dlr module. I contacted the dealer but even though they have the part in stock to fix and replace this module, they refused to take care of it, saying that they still didn't have the part to fix this issue and I would be contacted by mail when they did. They're willing to sell you the part but they won't replace it. They just don't want to take responsibility! I asked to have someone from customer service call me, but they haven't. I was lucky to find the root of the problem in time, otherwise it would had caught on fire. This issue needs to be addressed immediately. Please help.

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #15

Jun 012014

Forenza 4-cyl

  • miles
The locks click as though the doors are locking and unlocking while idle or driving. The check engine light flashes. The airbag light was coming on and going off periodically until it finally just stayed on.

- Danville, KY, USA

problem #14

Aug 042014

Forenza 4-cyl

  • miles
I just received a recall letter from Suzuki concerning a fire possible starting in the lights....I am very concerned due to smelling a burning smell for a while now when I am driving !...I cannot afford a new car this is my only car what do I need to do"...I have to drive two hours to work and back everyday does anyone know when Suzuki will fix the problem?" thank you

- Piedmont, SC, USA

problem #13

Aug 142013

Forenza

  • 47,000 miles
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.

- King Street, SC, USA

problem #12

Jun 242014

Forenza

  • 99,000 miles
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.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #11

Jun 142013

Forenza 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
2008 Suzuki Forenza. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle stalls while driving. The consumer stated the vehicle would stall after driving 5-10 miles, once he started to slow down. The consumer was able to re-start the vehicle. Also, the check engine light illuminated.

- Hamilton, NJ, USA

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