3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,800 miles

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problem #2

May 262017

Forenza

  • miles
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 vehicles to shift rough and end with vehicles not being able to shift out of or into park. The airbag and seat belt light will not go off. We have been told that it is the cushion sensor and will cost $1500 to replace. Again, after speaking with other Suzuki car owners, they too have had to deal with this issue. Suzuki issued a recall for this issue for some vehicles but not vehicles that have been impacted have been recalled and owners are being charged to replace this defective part. Suzuki has been made aware of these issues by other owners and have covered repair costs for a few, but have chosen not to issue a recall for all affected vehicles.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #1

Jan 102014

Forenza 4-cyl

  • 75,600 miles
Starting in January 2014 car had approximately 75,000 miles on it and began lurching into gear from stopped. When put into reverse, jumps into gear. When put into drive after backing out of driveway lurches forward starting in 3rd gear and continues during driving. Husband diagnosed after much online research and a few months later, even taking code into dealership for repair. Dealer insisted they couldn't replicate and cleared code without making note of problem. My husband argued that we wouldn't be picking car up until the problem was replicated and taken care of. After insisting they couldn't replicate, we drove back to dealership and made service manager ride with husband until car "performed" malfunction, literally a half of a block from dealership. It was obvious they were avoiding problem and hadn't driven car at all! code was noted as 0700, just as my husband had reported initially. Transmission sensor was replaced and after diagnostics were finally properly performed, airbag light was also reset (has continued to come on almost entire time we've owned the car-were told our daughters long legs were kicking wires underneath drivers' side seat) and also made aware voltage is too high on drivers side but nothing was done to fix either. Dealership offered no solution. Spent $191.65 to fix transmission sensor. Originally charging $260+ but husband demanded reduction in diagnostic price due to the fact we had to drive back into town to dealership to duplicate problem for incompetent/unwilling service department. Very unsatisfied and will be looking into options after seeing transmission range sensor seems to be ongoing epidemic for many 2008 Suzuki Forenza owners. Have also had ongoing problems with seat airbag sensor not working on front passenger's side since 2009.

- Mulvane, KS, USA