2008 Suzuki Forenza Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 79about this part
- Share
- 52%of 152 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 79 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Suzuki Forenza, 52% of the 152 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I turned on the car, when I put into reverse it clunked and the screen that usually says r just had scrambled letters going then when I put it into drive it clunked again and when I drive it like that it starts in 2nd so I have to put a lot of gas onto it then it won't switch into 3rd gear, and every time I take it to a mechanic the check engine light goes off and it works fine.”
NHTSA complaint #10548653, filed 2013-10, 53,000 miles“My transmission range sensor has been replaced twice, both within a 12 months time frame. Both times my car jerks at low and high speeds and my engine light is invoked. The second time the dealership replaced my transmission range sensor...the very same week my vehicle is still experiencing the same exact issues, inclusive of my engine light coming on and staying on for 3 days. …”
NHTSA complaint #10496628, filed 2013-02, 92,850 miles“While sitting at a stop sign, I decided I was a little to far into the road. I shifted into reverse and noticed it shifted really hard. I put it into drive and pulled out onto the road - again it shifted hard. When trying to speed up, the car wouldn't shift out of 1st gear, the check engine light came on and I couldn't speed up. I've been told it is a bad transmission range sensor.”
NHTSA complaint #10534672, filed 2013-08, 78,000 miles“The check engine light came on when putting my car into reverse. The car would jump whenever putting it in reverse or drive. I had a scanner put on it and the codes came out to be the transmission range sensor. The check engine light will continue to go on and off depending on how much I drive it. I am being told this is not under the power train warranty. This needs to be as it is affecting the power train.”
NHTSA complaint #10659028, filed 2014-11, 80,200 miles“My check engine light came on and was put on machine and got a po700 and po705 which required a sensor which should not have been on a brand new car. From my understanding there have been a lot of problems with this and I don't understand why a recall has not been done on this because my warranty did not cover this do to not being inside the transmission due to Suzuki's rules.”
NHTSA complaint #10370135, filed 2010-12, 46,835 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10030107Aug 1, 2009Suzuki vehicles: automatic transmission shift lever is loose in the shift gate and/or ignition key cannot be removed. The transmission gear shift lever does not hold firmly to…
- 10024197Jan 1, 2008Required automatic transmission control module initialization procedure. My 2004-2008 forenz sedan/wagon, reno (rq420).
- 10022793Sep 27, 2007Manual transmission shift linkage adjustment.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Suzuki Forenza
32 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Suzuki Forenza
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology