2008 Suzuki Forenza Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Forenza years
- Fewer complaints than other years 4th of 5 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 152 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Suzuki Forenza. That ranks 4th out of 5 Forenza model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (79 complaints, 52%), typically at around 60,000 miles. Complaints mention 14 crashes, 10 fires, 8 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
- 152owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 14complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 Suzuki Forenza problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 79 | 52% | 60,000 | “transmission range” (42%) | — |
| Air Bags | 32 | 21% | 44,418 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 32 | 21% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 22 | 14% | 72,422 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | 12% | 67,520 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 10 | 7% | 80,121 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 5% | 49,700 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 3% | 58,230 | — | — |
| Steering | 4 | 3% | 95,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 3% | 31,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 2% | 108,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 2% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 3 | 2% | 91,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 1% | 65,480 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 1% | 75,600 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 1% | 24,690 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 1% | 81,937 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | 42,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 Suzuki Forenza recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Problem: 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.
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 is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Suzuki will replace the signal switch and add a jumper relay kit and will replace the DRL Module in teh instrument panel harness. Suzuki distributed to owners an interim letter on July 30, 2014. The recall began October 29, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is XA.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. While driving 25 mph, the contact noticed smoke and flames coming out the dashboard on the driver's side of the vehicle while the daytime running lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and…
"takata recall" gear shift keeps slipping and maybe the cause of needing a new transmission. Had to turn car off in middle of traffic because gear slipped. When car was in drive a symbol popped up with a d with a line though it! Took it to o'reilly and put it on machine about 3weeks after the first…
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…
Other Suzuki Forenza years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 152 | 1 |
| 2007 Forenza | 256 | 2 |
| 2006 Forenza | 280 | 4 |
| 2005 Forenza | 156 | 3 |
| 2004 Forenza | 63 | 5 |
See all Suzuki Forenza problems by year, every Suzuki model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Suzuki models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Suzuki Forenza?
Owners most often report power train, air bags, electrical system problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 79 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Suzuki Forenza?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 Suzuki Forenza a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Forenza model years, the 2008 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.