Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2008 Suzuki Forenza, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train79
- Electrical system32
- Air bags32
- Engine22
- Vehicle speed control18
- Exterior lighting10
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Steering4
- Seat belts4
- Tires4
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 8 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 3 2008 Forenza vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 1 person died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2008 Suzuki Forenza failed the safety check 2.73% of the time — 10% more often than the average 2008 passenger car (2.48%). Median odometer at inspection: 89,148 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Suzuki told its dealers about the 2008 Suzuki Forenza: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10216558 | Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway. |
| 10152052 | This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm. |
| 10086741 | THIS SERVICE BULLETIN UPDATES A BULLETIN ORIGINALLY ISSUED ON MAY 18, 2016, CONCERNING A SPECIAL WARRANTY EXTENSION (ZH) FOR 2005-2008 SUZUKI FORENZA AND SUZUKI RENO VEHICLES. THE UPDATES ARE: (1) THE EXISTENCE OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B1379 IS ADDED TO THE LIST OF DTCS THAT MAKE A VEHICLE ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR UNDER SPECIAL WARRANTY EXTENSION ZH; AND (2) THE PROCEDURE FOR INSPECTING THE SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTER FOR DAMAGE HAS BEEN CLARIFIED. |
| 10052515 | SUZUKI: SUZUKI HAS REPLACEMENT OIL PUMPS THAT HAVE A THREADED PLUG. THE THREADED PROVES TO BE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE WITHOUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE NEW OIL PUMP. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES PROCEDURES WHEN REPLACING THE OLD OIL PUMP. *JS |
| 10051826 | LONG BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL FORENZA EQUIPPED WITH ABS BRAKES. CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF LONG BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND/OR REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE. SUZUKI. *KB |
| 10051825 | LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTION-EXTENDED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL. VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE AND/OR SPONGY, LOW BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION DUE TO THE STICKING CONDITION OF THE VALVE WITHIN THE ABS MODULE. SUZUKI. *KB |
| 10036954 | SUZUKI VEHICLE: COUNTER MEASURE PROCEDURE FOR DTC P2135. MIL LIGHT IS ON; DTC P2135 STORED WITHOUT FULLY CHECKING SYSTEM AND CIRCUITS AFTER REPAIRS AND/OR REPLACEMENT TO THROTTLE BODY. *PE |
| 10034484 | SUZUKI VEHICLES: COUNTER MEASURE PROCEDURE FOR DTC P2138. MIL LIGHT IS ON, DTC P2138 STORED. FAILURE OF THE CONNECTOR AND/OR WIRING CIRCUITS BETWEEN THE ECM AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. MODELS FORENZA, FORENZA WAGON AND RENO (RQ420). *PE |
| 10030107 | SUZUKI 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 THE LEFT OF THE SHIFT GAGE AS EXPECTED. *PE |
| 10028178 | SUZUKI: A/C LEAK CHECK AT SUCTION HOSE WHICH NO LONGER REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED. A/C MAY NOT BE GETTING AS COLD AS USUAL OR MAY NOT COOL AT ALL. MODELS FORENZA, FORENZA WAGON, RENO (RQ420). *PE |
| 10024197 | REQUIRED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION PROCEDURE. MY 2004-2008 FORENZ SEDAN/WAGON, RENO (RQ420). *NJ |
| 10023878 | P0441 OR P0496 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM CONTINUOUS PURGE FLOW). *NJ |
| 10022793 | MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT. *NJ |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)