repaired · 2016 Q1
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. 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…
2008 Suzuki ForenzaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 152 owner complaints about the 2008 Suzuki Forenza, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 14V-262 the manufacturer reports only 18% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 25, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Suzuki Forenza has problems
152 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
79Power train3 crash/fire/injury
32Electrical system6 crash/fire/injury
32Air bags8 crash/fire/injury
22Engine1 crash/fire/injury
18Vehicle speed control4 crash/fire/injury
10Exterior lighting
7Engine and engine cooling
4Seat belts
4Tires
2312 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 79 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 32 | 6 |
| Air bags | 32 | 8 |
| Engine | 22 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 18 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 4 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 |
| 12 other systems | 23 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2008 Suzuki Forenza recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Suzuki.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
60kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 72 power train complaints. 90% were reported before 100,000 miles.
7under 30k miles65under 100k miles7100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
8 owners mentioned a cost$238median
Middle half: $208 – $1,350
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Forenza year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Forenza median. How we score
'04'05'06'07'08
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Suzuki Forenza safety ratings
2008 Suzuki Forenza 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Forenza owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR HAS GONE OUT ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER OWNERS SUZUKI VEHICLES AND THEY TO ARE HAVING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSORS. DEALER SERVICE CENTERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS PART BREAKS OFTEN AND THEY KEEP EXTRA IN STOCK. THIS ISSUE WILL BEGIN WITH CAUSING…
Own a 2008 Forenza?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.