What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2008 Suzuki Forenza

Typical pattern

1.7% of complaints about the 2008 Suzuki Forenza came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2008 vehicle — around the middle of the 262 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (79 complaints), typically at 5.2 yr or about 60,000 miles.

Complaints
235
Median age at failure
5.4 yr
Median mileage
60,000 n=199
Crash / fire / tow
13.2% of reports
Safety recalls
1

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
79 reports · 60,000 mi
5.2 yr
3.8%
Electrical system
33 reports · 60,000 mi
6.8 yr
21.2%
Air bags
32 reports · 46,835 mi
5.1 yr
25%
Engine
22 reports · 73,000 mi
5.8 yr
4.5%
Speed control
18 reports · 70,000 mi
5.7 yr
22.2%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

14V262000 2014-05-19
Exterior lighting:headlights

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Forenza vehicles, and 2005-2008 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2003, through July 30, 2008. In the affected vehicles, heat may be generated in the headlamp switch or daytime running light (DRL) module which could melt the headlamp switch or the DRL module.

If the heat generated within the headlamp switch or DRL module located on the left side of the steering column melts the headlamp switch or DRL module, there is an increased risk of a fire.

In owners’ own words

Air bags mileage not reported 11 mo in service crash / fire / tow
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER CHEST, HEAD, KNEE, AND NECK. THE FRONT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER CHEST, NECK, HEAD, AND BACK. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Air bags 3,000 mi 11 mo in service crash / fire / tow
TL*THE 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.
Air bags 20,000 mi 1.5 yr in service crash / fire / tow
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. *TR
Electrical system 44,000 mi 2.3 yr in service
TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH, FAILS TO SHIFT DOWN DURING ACCELERATION, MAY WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN MAKES A CLUNK AND FAILS AGAIN, CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GLOW AND MAY SHOW A BOX WITH A DIAGONAL LINE THROUGH IT WHERE THE D FOR DRIVE WOULD BE. *TT

Other Forenza model years

20082007200620052004

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