2005 Suzuki Forenza Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND THE SEAT SENSOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

BACK IN NOV 2012 I TOOK MY 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA IN FOR A RECALL REPAIR AS SUGGESTED THE RECALL WAS ON THE WIRING HARNESS THAT PUT THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND OFF (I HAD BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY HEADLIGHTS POPPING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES) SO AFTER I OBEYED THE RECALL I NOTICED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED SO IN JAN 12 2013 MY CAR WAS SITTING AT A LOCAL APPLEBEES PARKING LOT COMPLETELY TURNED OFF NOTHING PLUGGED IN NO LIGHTERS IN THE CAR JUST SITTING THERE WHEN SOMEONE RAN INTO THE RESTAURANT AND SHOUTED "WHOSE GOLD SUZUKI IS THAT? ITS ON FIRE" NEEDLESS TO SAY WHEN I RAN OUT THE DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY IN FLAMES THE FIRE DEPT CAME TO RESCUE AND AT MY REQUEST A FIRE INVESTIGATOR INVESTIGATED THE INCIDENT AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE STARTED AS A RESULT OF A ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS...(YES THE "RECALLED'' "FIXED" PART) THE ACTUALLY DEALERSHIP THAT "FIXED" THE RECALLED PART HAS ALREADY STATED THAT THEY ARENT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT & I AM WAITING TO SUZUKI CORPORATE TO CONCLUDE THEIR FINDINGS I TRULY HOPE SUZUKI DOES THE RIGHT THING IN THIS UNFORTUNATE MATTER IF NOT I AM PREPARED TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION BUT IM PRAYING THEY WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V452000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME BURNED, CAUSING THE HEAD LIGHTS, AIR BAGS AND THE RADIO TO FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS CAUSED A SMALL FIRE IN THE WIRING UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER PERFORMED A SECOND REPAIR AT NO COST TO THE CONTACT HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:12V397000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING;INTERIOR/UNDER DASH) FOR THE WIRING HARNESS BUT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER HAD STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIR CAUSED THE WIRING FAILURE, THEY WOULD ONLY COVER THE EXACT COMPONENT THAT WAS LISTED IN THE RECALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

AIR BAG LIGHT ON SINCE BOUGHT CAR IN 2006. WIRING FOR AIRBAGS HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE STILL AN ISSUE AT OWNER EXPENSE. OUTLET AND LIGHTER STOP WORKING YEAR AFTER CAR WAS BOUGHT. HEADLIGHT WIRING REPLACE TWICE AND DAY LIGHTS STILL ONLY COMES ON SOME TIMES. *TR

CAR ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY. IT WILL STALL OUT IF THE GAS PEDAL IS FLOORED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL BLINK UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR SOMETIMES A FEW DAYS AT A TIME AND THEN TURN OFF. OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR GOING UP MANY TIMES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE AND WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

MY CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND HAS A LITTLE OVER 65,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSIONS RANGE SENSOR CIRCUIT HAS STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. *TR

HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS MELTED WIRES NOW THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. THERE WAS A RECALL TO FIX MELTED WIRES IN A SPLICE PACK BUT SUZUKI WILL NOT HONOR IT BECAUSE NOW THE WIRES ARE MELTED IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR

2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTION OF VEHICLE DRIVING LIGHTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER 2012 AND RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY BY CALLING THE DEPARTMENT WITH HER INFORMATION REGARDING THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILL FROM JANUARY 2012, WHEN THE SAID RECALL HAD IN FACT DISABLED THE DRIVING LIGHTS ON HER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED ALL OF THE REQUIRED PAPERWORK TO BE REVIEWED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY WAS HER FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THE DRIVING LIGHTS SHUTTING OFF, WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK AT 60 MPH. WITHIN 10 TO 15 MINUTES THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON, BUT A FEW MINUTES LATER THEY SHUT OFF AGAIN. THE CONSUMER HAD VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS CHECK FOR A LOOSE CONNECTION TO THE LIGHTS, BUT NO ONE COULD FIND ANYTHING, BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS HIDDEN WITHIN THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A MELTED SPLICE PACK. THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS CONTACTED THE CONSUMER AND INFORMED HER THE PROBLEM SHE EXPERIENCED BACK IN JANUARY DID PERTAIN TO THE RECALL AND OUT OF THE $513.60 BILL, SHOULD WOULD ONLY RECEIVE $75. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THE MECHANIC WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD TO SPEND TIME DIAGNOSING THE ISSUE WHICH TOOK HIM FOUR HOURS. SHE THEN INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT WITH THE INFORMATION FROM THE RECALL NOTICE, THE SAME REPAIR COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED IN LESS THAN AN HOUR, WHICH WAS THE AMOUNT THAT WOULD BE REFUNDED. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ABRUPTLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED WHIPLASH FROM THE JERKING MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE ENGINE BEARINGS HAD SEIZED AND THE IDLE PULLEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY AND WOULD OFTEN FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO TURN ON UPON STARTING THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAG WARRING LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN CAME ON AND STAYS ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT THE START OF THE YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/18/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IN JANUARY 2011, THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED RESULTING IN HAVING TO REPLACE IT WITH A BRAND NEW ONE. IN JUNE 2011, THE VEHICLE JERKED EXTREMELY HARD WHILE DRIVING AND THEN WOULDN'T ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. IN NOVEMBER 2011, THE VEHICLE JERKED HARD AGAIN AND LEFT THE CONSUMER STRANDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AGAIN, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. FOUR DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE CEASED TO OPERATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AGAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. UPDATED 02/01/12

I CALLED THE SUZUKI CORPORATE OFFICE BECAUSE MY 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA HEAD LAMPS GO ON AND OFF. THEY RE-CALLED THIS IN 2007, I DID NOT OWN IT THEN BUT THEY CLAIM THE CAR WAS FIXED UNDER THE RE-CALL. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO TRAVEL 2 HOURS TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AGAIN AND MUST PAY FOR IT.........THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CRAP........ WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE.........SHORT OF SUING THEM WHEN WE GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT ON A DARK ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. WHICH TRUST ME I WILL DO IF THAT HAPPENS! *TR

DRIVER'S AIRBAG WAS FIXED 2 OR 3 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, AND FIXED ONE MORE TIME AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON ONCE AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A CONNECTION ERROR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

LOWBEAMS FAILED AFTER RECALL SERVICES PERFORMED AND WARRANTY EXPIRED. FUSES AND RELAY SYSTEM FINE. CALLED SUZUKI, INFORMED THERE WILL BE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE FOR THIS BECAUSE THE RECALL WORK HAD BEEN PERFORMED ALREADY AND CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD CLACKING SOUND COMING FOR THE FRONT END. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GARAGE FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE STRUT MOUNTS AND IT WOULD BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN. AFTER THE DEALER LOOKED AT THE CAR I WAS TOLD IT WAS A CV JOINT NOT THE STRUTS. THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THIS YEAR WHILE TRYING TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER GARAGE THAT MY STRUT MOUNTS WERE BAD AND THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *KB

TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE STRUTS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE LOOSE AND LETTING THE HANDLE UNSAFELY. THE LOCAL DEALER REPLACED THEM UNDER WARRANTY AND THE CAR DROVE BETTER. FAST FORWARD TO MARCH 2015, I CARRIED THE CAR IN FOR A DIFFERENT WARRANTY REPAIR BUT WASN'T TOLD THAT THE STRUTS WERE LOOSE AGAIN. I FOUND THIS OUT FROM MY OWN MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY. I CONTACTED CORPORATE SUZUKI AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. MY MECHANIC TALKED TO ANOTHER SUZUKI DEALER & WAS TOLD THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THAT A KIT HAS TO BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT IT. I HAD TO PAY MY MECHANIC TO FIX IT. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL FOR THIS BECAUSE I HAD ONLY PUT 19,000 MILES ON SINCE THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WHICH APPARENTLY WAS DONE WITHOUT THE KIT? THE STRUTS WERE MOVING A QUARTER OF AN INCH. DOES THIS NOT POSE A SAFETY ISSUE? *TR

2005 SUZUKI FORENZA- TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO GET STUCK IN A HIGH GEAR- I DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND THE SYSTEMS SEEMS TO RE-SET. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES. *TR

JUNE 2010 AIR BAG DEFECT -- I OWN A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA WAGON. IN MAY 2010 I LISTED THIS VEHICLE FOR SALE ONLY TO FIND (THROUGH A CHECK UP) THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. AT THE TIME OF THIS DISCOVERY THE CAR HAD A LITTLE LESS THAN 32,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WOULD COST $1,500/$1,600 TO REPLACE THE PROBLEM SEAT. IT WAS ALSO TOLD TO ME THAT THERE EXIST AN "OUT OF WARRANTY ASSISTANCE" PROGRAM FOR SAFETY RELATED PROBLEMS. AFTER THREE WEEKS OF WAITING FOR AN ANSWER, SUZUKI DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE. I FEEL THAT SINCE THIS IS A "NO MAINTENANCE SAFETY SYSTEM" (THAT IS DEFECTIVE AS OF NO FAULT OF MINE) THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD BE REPLACED OR FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURE. AFTER ALL THEY HAVE A 3 YEAR - 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. (MY CAR HAS 32,000 MILES) HOW DO I PROCEED AGAINST SUZUKI BEFORE SOME ONE IS INJURED BECAUSE OF A LACK OF SAFE AIR BAG? [XXX] CASE #[XXX] WITH SUZUKI COMPANY INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I HAVE 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA AND THE AIRBAG PANEL LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF.THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED.THE FIRST TIME IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. THE LIGHT IS BACK ON AND HAS NOT GONE OUT. IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO SINCE IT HAS BEEN ON THE SECOND TIME MY LIGHTER KEEPS BLOWING A FUSE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR

ABOUT 2.5 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR, I HAD TO PUT A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION IN IT DUE TO THE SHIFT SENSOR WENT BAD. NOW JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT IT IS BAD AGAIN. THIS TIME I AM GOING TO DRIVE THE CAR TILL IT DIES AND THEN SCRAP IT. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. SUZUKI NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEIR CARS, AND FIX IT. *TR

THE HEADLAMPS ON THE CAR DO NOT WORK ALL I CAN USE ARE THE HIGH BEAMS, THE INSIDE LIGHTING FOR THE RADIO DO NOT WORK EITHER AND THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. SHE HAD HER VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 07V452000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) IN DECEMBER 2009. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEAD-LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS TO GET HOME. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM REPLACED AT HER EXPENSE. SHE REFERENCED THE PRIOR RECALL AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. SHE HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 62,000- UPDATED 1/11/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/10.*JB

I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND IT NOW HAS 37,500 MILES. I BARELY DRIVE IT AND KEEP IT GARAGED AND REGULARLY MAINTAINED. AFTER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WHEN IT PAST THE 36,000 MILES (WARRANTY EXPIRED BEFORE MILEAGE REACHED) I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE HARD DOWNSHIFT AND HESITATING SHIFTS UPWARD (REACHES OR GOES ABOVE 3000 RPMS BEFORE IT SHIFTS). THESE HARD SHIFTS ARE MOSTLY BETWEEN 30-20 MPH AND ALSO OCCUR BETWEEN 5-20 MPH BUT SOMEWHAT SOFTER BUT STILL EASILY NOTABLE. THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY IS FOR 100,000MILES/7YRS SO I TOOK IT THE DEALER AND TOLD HIM MY COMPLAINT. RIGHT OFF THE BACK THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO REALLY CHECK IT OUT AND THAT ALL THEY COULD DO IS DRIVE. ALSO, HE TOLD ME THAT MY WARRANTY (BUMPER TO BUMPER) EXPIRED AND THAT IF THE GUY HAD EXPERIENCE WITH THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT THAT HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT IT WAS OTHERWISE I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY $80+$8 TAX FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THAT IF IT IS ANYTHING ELECTRICAL WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT IT WASN'T COVERED. OF COURSE AS I EXPECTED HE DIDN'T SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND TOLD ME TO SCHEDULE THE $88 DIAGNOSIS. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT SUZUKI FORENZAS ARE KNOWN FOR DOWNSHIFTING HARD BUT I TOLD HIM THAT IT WASN'T LIKE THAT BEFORE THE 36,000 MILE MARKER. I CAME BACK HOME THOUGH WITHOUT MAKING THE DIAGNOSIS APPOINTMENT AND READ MY WARRANTY DETAILS. UNDER "...WHAT IS NOT COVERED" FOR POWERTRAIN, NO WHERE DID IT SAY TRANSMISSION ELECTRONICS, INFACT IT COVERS 'TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE' WHICH IS AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER TRANSMISSION PARTS! I GUESS THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SINCE HE TRIED TO CONVINCE THAT IS NORMAL AND THAT HE RIGHT OFF THE BACK TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T COVER TRANSMISSION ELECTRONICS AND THAT THERE IS A CHARGE OF $88 FOR DIAGNOSIS. AFTER READING SOME OF THE POWERTRAIN COMPLAINTS ONLINE, IT SEEMS LIKE SUZUKI KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE A BIG PROBLEM ON THEIR HANDS AND ARE WAITING UNTIL WARRANTIES EXP. *TR

WE OWN THREE 2005 SUZUKI FORENZAS. EACH HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH EITHER THE AIRBAG OR AIRBAG SENSOR. ONE OF OUR VEHICLES CURRENTLY WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON. THIS IS ITS SECOND PROBLEM OF THE SAME KIND. ONE OF THE OTHER VEHICLES HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THREE TIMES. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. SUZUKI HAS NEVER TOLD ME IF THIS IS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG, THE SENSOR, THE HARNESS, OR SOMETHING ELSE. MY CONCERN IS TWO-FOLD: (1) WILL I HAVE TO PAY ANNUALLY FOR A SERIOUS SUZUKI DEFECT IN ORDER TO PASS INSPECTION? (2) IS THIS A REAL PROBLEM? DO I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN? SUZUKI HAS NEVER TOLD ME IF THIS IS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG, THE SENSOR, THE HARNESS, OR SOMETHING ELSE. MY WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS DRIVE THESE VEHICLES. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINEERING DESIGN PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES INVESTIGATION. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. IT RAN GREAT FOR THE FIRST YEAR, AND THEN THE PROBLEMS BEGAN. MY TRANSMISSION KEPT SLIPPING AND IT WOULD FLASH D WITH A LINE THROUGH IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. *TR

AFTER FIRST PURCHASING THE CAR, THERE WERE PROBLEMS ACCELERATING AND THEN CAR FAILED. POWER STEERING HAD TO BE FIXED, TIMING BELT REPLACED. A FEW MONTHS LATER SPEAKERS STARTED TO GO IN AND OUT, RADIO LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF, ETC. IN 2010 HEADLIGHTS FAILED. BEING A BROKE COLLEGE STUDENT I RODE WITH MY BRIGHTS FOR ALMOST A YEAR UNTIL I LOOKED UP THE RECALL ONLINE AND GOT THAT FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP. 2011 REPLACED SPEAKERS, STILL DON'T WORK ON ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF CAR AND BACK OF DRIVER SIDE. ONE SPEAKER WORKS, VERY WEAK AND SOMETIMES GOES OUT COMPLETELY. INTERIOR LIGHTS GO IN AND OUT. STARTED TO LEAK OIL, HAD TO HAVE HEAD GASKET REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, THEN HAD TO HAVE RADIATOR HOSE REPLACED. 2012 TIMING BELT POPS, ENGINE DAMAGED COSTING ALMOST $2000. TODAY DECEMBER 2012, RADIATOR CRACKS ALL THE WAY OPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF HOLIDAY TRAFFIC. TERRIBLE HORRIBLE CAR TO BE A 2005. SEEMS LIKE I CAN'T GO A MONTH WITHOUT SOMETHING ELSE GOING WRONG. FEELS UNSAFE AT ALL TIMES! *TR

I BOUGHT A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA IN THE WINTER OF 2006. THE CAR WAS SOLD TO ME WITH NO REAR DEFROSTER SYSTEM SO THAT WINTER I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE SNOW WITH A COMPLETELY BLIND REAR VIEW AND WAS INCONVENIENCED INTO RETURNING IT FOR REPAIR. THE BEGINNING OF 2008 IS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A WEEK BEFORE MY STATE INSPECTION AND I HAD TO GET AN OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE TREAD CAME OFF MY FRONT TIRES (2 YEARS OLD MIND YOU) AND I HAD TO REPLACE THOSE. IN MAY OF 2008, THE BATTERY IN THE CAR DIED AND THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN AUGUST OF 2008, THE HEADLIGHTS IN THE SUZUKI DIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS AND DOCUMENTS TO BACK THIS UP AS WELL. ON APRIL 30, 2009, MY CAR STARTED TO BUCK BACK AND FORTH WILDLY THREATENING TO STALL. TWO WEEKS LATER ON MAY 13, THEY TELL ME THAT THE CAR IS COVERED UNDER THE POWER WARRANTY AND THEY WILL REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. ON FRIDAY MAY 15, THEY SAY ITS NOT JUST THE HEAD GASKET BUT AN EMISSION HOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK AND HAVE ORDERED IT FOR MONDAY, MAY 18 IN WHICH THE CAR SHOULD BE READY. I RETURN MY RENTAL CAR READY TO PICK UP MY CAR WHEN I GET A CALL THAT MONDAY MORNING STATING THAT WHEN THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS PUT BACK TOGETHER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL CAME ON AND THEY DISASSEMBLED THE ENGINE AGAIN AND DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE CYLINDER HEAD WHICH HAD COMPROMISED THE COOLANT SYSTEM. NOW, THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE PROOF THAT I HAD CHANGED THE COOLANT IN THE SYSTEM. OF COURSE, I CAN NOT LOCATE THAT RECEIPT, BUT ITS AMAZING TO ME THAT ITS TAKEN NEARLY A MONTH TO COME UP WITH THIS DIAGNOSIS AND NOW I'M BEING ASKED TO PAY FOR THIS LEMON WITH ONLY 3 YEARS ON IT AND 35,000 MILES. I TOOK A 4 YEAR FINANCE LOAN DEAL ON THIS AND I STILL HAVE TO PAY $5000 ON A CAR THAT HAS NEEDED WORK ON MULTIPLE LOCATION. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO STANDING BY YOUR WORK? THOMAS SUZUKI OF PORT JEFFERSON NY IS A DISGRACE. *TR

FRONT STRUTS WEARING OUT, CAUSING TIRE WEAR AND POSSIBLE BLOW OUTS CAUSING ACCIDENTS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA UPHILL GOING 35 MPH WHEN IT SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT HAD SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT, I EXPERIENCED ROUGH JOLTING WHEN MY CAR (WHICH IS AN AUTOMATIC) WAS DOWNSHIFTING FROM THIRD TO SECOND GEAR. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP ACCELERATING. I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. *TR

THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM INOPERATIVE LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO SHOP AT LEAST 5 TIMES DURING WARRANTY PERIOD AND HAS FAILED TO BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA CAMPAIGN #: 07V452000. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER SUPPOSEDLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ON THE WIRING HARNESS, I BELIEVE THAT IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED BECAUSE THE SAME INDICATOR INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT IS AGAIN MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER REPAIR OF THE HARNESS, THE MENTIONED LIGHT INDICATOR AGAIN WORKED PROPERLY, WHEREAS BEFORE THE REPAIR IT WAS NOT. I SPOKE WITH BOTH THE DEALER AND SUZUKI CORPORATE, AND THEY TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOT A LOW BEAM INDICATOR LIGHT ON MY CAR. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING MY CAR FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS I KNOW THAT WHEN THE DLL LIGHTS ARE NOT USED, (AMBER) THE LOW BEAM INDICATOR LIGHT (GREEN) COMES ON. UNLESS IT IS QUITE DARK OUT, I CANNOT TELL IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. SUZUKI IN BREA, CA SUGGESTED THAT I GET OUT OF MY CAR AND LOOK TO SEE IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT I CAN TELL IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON BECAUSE THE DLL LIGHT IS OFF. THE INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE A "DUMMY" LIGHT, BUT IT IS THE ONLY WAY THAT I KNOW MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AND WORKING PROPERLY. I WOULD LIKE A DIRECTIVE TO HAVE TO HAVE MY WIRING HARNESS RE-INSPECTED. THEY CITE LACK THE LACK OF WARRANTY TO LOOK AT ANYTHING, OTHERWISE THE COST IS $100.00. I SAY THIS BECAUSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, BUT FOR THEM TO LOOK AT MY AIRBAG, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME $100.00 I REALLY WANT TO ORDER A NEW ONE BUT THEY WILL NOT DO THAT WITHOUT THE CHARGE TO "LOOK" AT IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL; WHICH, INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND SEVERAL REPAIRS WERE MADE; HOWEVER, NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED AFTER TURNING ENGINE OFF. RE-STARTED ENGINE AND CHANGED GEAR. COULD HEAR CLICKING BUT ONCE RETURNED TO PARK WAS STILL UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY. AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS OF CHANGING GEARS I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO GO FROM PARK TO ANY OTHER GEAR. *TR

I HAVE A SUZUKI FORENZA 2005 AND HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS. THE LATEST ONE IS THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF. THIS IS HOW IT IS FIRST I GET A BIG BUBBLE ON THE CAR THEN IT PEELS AND IS EVERYWHERE ON THE CAR. THE OTHER PROBLEMS WERE TAKING CARE OF BY THE DEALER. BUT NOT THE PAINT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 07V452000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS OR HEADLIGHTS AT TIMES; ONCE THE WIRING HARNESS COOLED OFF, THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN BACK ON. IF THE VEHICLE WAS WARM, THEY WOULD TURN OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN MY FRONT WINDSHIELD ORIGINATING BENEATH THE COWLING. WITHIN 48 HOURS IT HAS SPREAD ABOUT 6 INCHES UP AND 3-4 FEET VERTICALLY. THERE WAS NO IMPACT FROM ROAD DEBRIS AND NO IMPACT SITE ONLY A CRACK THAT CONTINUES TO SPREAD EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY. *TR

I WENT ON A TRIP TO EL PASO,TEXAS WITH MY FAMILY AND ON MY WAY BACK I HAD THE WORST TROUBLE WITH MY CAR. MY CAR STARTED JERKING A BIT. I THOUGH NOTHING OF IT AND KEPT GOING JUST HOPING TO GET HOME WITH MY KIDS. ON MY WAY BACK HOME I STOPPED BY A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY INFORMED IT WAS THE SENSORS IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WERE NO GOOD. BUT IT IS A NEWER CAR SO I THOUGH THEY MUST BE WRONG. I DID MAKE IT SAFELY TO MY HOME. IT STOPPED DOING THE JERKING. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER IT STARTED BACK UP. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING SINCE MARCH 4,2008. I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY ME BUT I HAVE FOUND OUT BY AUTOZONE THAT A FEW PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN THEIR CAR FRO THE SAME ISSUE. SO I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD B REPAIRED BECAUSE I DID NOT DO ANYTHING. I WAS TAKEN MY CHILDREN 2 DAYS AGO TO THE DOCTOR AND WHAT SEEMED LIKE A NORMAL TRIP BECAME A NIGHTMARE. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO(PUT YOURSELF IN MY PLACE AT THE 5:00 P.M. TRAFFIC) THE ENGINE JUST REVED VERY HIGH AND I PUT MY FOOT DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THEN IT WENT FORWARD WITH A JERKING MOTION FORWARD. I WAS SO SCARED AND STILL AM THAT I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO TRY TO STALL ON ME AND NOT SHIFT GEARS. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR NOT EVEN 7 MONTHS AGO FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT IS OVER THE 36,000 MILES AND I DO EXPECT FOR THIS ISSUE TO GET RESOLVED AND FOR YOU AS A COMPANY FIX THE ISSUE. I DID RESEARCH AND I DO SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL OF CAR. ARE YOU EXPECTING A MAJOR ACCIDENT FOR YOU TO TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE?? I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN! WOULD YOU? I DO NOT WANT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT IN ORDER FRO YOU TO TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CARS KEEPS JERKING AND YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR WHOLE FOOT TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER FRO IT TO SHIFT I NEED RESULTS!!!! *TR

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE CUP HOLDER; THEREFORE, IF ANYTHING SPILLS IN THE CUP HOLDER, IT DAMAGES THE SENSOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,000.

AUTOMATIC CAR DOWN-SHIFT WHEN U LET UP ON GAS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,171 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEPT TURNING OFF. WITHIN AN HOUR OF SOMEONE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLEARED THE CODE, WHICH TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE FAILURE. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE LIGHT BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AGAIN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, BUT WAS NEVER SUCCESSFUL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,035 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ATTACHED A HARNESS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT.. UPDATED 09/10/8. *JB

THE FIRST TIME I HAD A PROBLEM WAS WITH THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS, THEY WOULD COME ON WHEN THEY WANTED TO AFTER TWO MONTHS OF BUYING THE CAR. I DID NOT DO NOTHING ABOUT THAT, THEN I WAS DRIVING AND WENT TO TURN ON MY HIGH BEAMS AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ALL TOGETHER NO LIGHTS WHAT'S SO EVER, BUT THEN MESSED WITH SWITCH AND THEY CAME BACK ON. THEN JUST THE OTHER DAY I WAS LEAVING A FRIENDS HOUSE AND I HAD HIGH BEAMS BUT NO REGULAR HEADLIGHTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN BOTH VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BENT INTO THE DASHBOARD AND STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACIAL ABRASIONS, CHIPPED TEETH, CUTS, AND BRUISES. SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT INJURIES THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER RECEIVED IN THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE REAR ENDED VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. THE NUMBER OF PERSONS INJURED IN THAT VEHICLE COULD BE THREE OR MORE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF BOTH HERSELF AND HER VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000 UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED

THE DRIVERS SEAT HAS COLLAPSED TO THE FLOOR BOARD OF THE CAR. WHEN IT INITIALLY HAPPENED IT ALMOST CAUSED THE DRIVER TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH WOULD'VE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY THERE WASN'T ANOTHER CAR COMING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AT THE TIME. WE TOLD THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM THROUGH THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATES "OFF" MOST OF THE TIME WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO THE DEALER SINCE THE BEGINNING AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND THAT IT IS NORMAL .... THAT MY 130# SON IS 'TOO THIN'. THERE HAS BEEN A TSB ISSUED ON THIS. *TR