Problems with 2005 Suzuki Forenza ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

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

Tl*- the contact owns a 2005 suzuki forenza with a current mileage of 18,000 miles. the contact stated that once the vehicle pasted the 15,000 mile mark it had difficulty starting in cold weather. the contact stated that when the temperature was below 20 degrees the vehicle would not start. once the vehicle started under these cold conditions it would stall while driving at any speed. the contact had the vehicle taken to the dealer, but they were unable to find out what had been causing the problem. *ak

While driving the car i noticed the car started making a loud noise. i asked the opinion of a mechanic who stated that the noise was coming from the motor, and he was more likely sure that it was something called "lifter." the next day i took the car to the car dealer and left the car there so they can find the problem. a whole week passed by and they still didn't know what was wrong with the car. when i finally got in touch with the parts department they stated that they needed to bring a technician to diagnose the problem. finally after 3 days i still didn't receive a call to inform me what was going on i called myself. i called the service manager and he stated that the car needed a certain liquid to clean the motor. another week passed by and i still hadn't received a call from them. so once again i called them, this time he stated that the car needed a motor due to lack of maintenance in other words no oil changes. i brought out to his attention that on my windshield there was the sticker showing the last time i changed the oil and when was the next time it needed a oil change. i also stated that in the locked compartment he should find receipts of past oil changes. he stated that the motor expense has to come out of my pocket even though the car is under warranty. at this point i don't know what to do, i am missing hours of work due to no transportation, i have to walk and catch the bus when i have no need being that my car is under warranty and the problem it has should be covered. i feel i am not treated fair. i have heard about many similar problems regarding this vehicle from other customers. they too have been lied to and not helped what so ever. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine lamp illuminated and the vehicle stalled. the vehicle was towed to the dealer numerous times. the dealer replaced the transmission and a sensor in the engine; however the problem remains.

I purchased a new 2005 suzuki forenza august 25, 2005. the vehicle was deceptively presented as having a "maintenance-free timing chain" prior to purchase. all recommended maintenance has been performed by the selling dealer. the vehicle had 9759 miles at the most recent maintenance interval. less than 20 miles later, when proceeding forward from a redlight, ascending a bridge, for no aparent reason whatsoever, the engine failed along with all power assisted accessories including steering and brakes. the vehicle began to roll backwards into oncoming and merging traffic to the rear. quick thinking to use the emergency brake and brute strength to steer avioded a certain multiple car accident. had my wife been driving, the accident would not have been avoided. the dealer did not immediately know the cause of the failure, but said they would call as soon as they knew something. i called the following day and was told that they contacted suzuki technical support. technical support told the dealer to order several parts including a water pump and head assembly. the dealer was informed that some water pumps had the pulley installed backwards allowing the timing belt to skip over the cogs causing extensive engine damage. the dealer wanted to know if this was a common failure, but technical support denied it. how then, did they know exactly which parts to recommend to repair the engine? the dealer showed me the broken retaining ring from the water pump, but has yet to disassemble the engine further because they are waiting on the parts. the vehicle has not been repaired yet. i no longer have confidence in the vehicle either way. i do not believe it is safe to travel american highways with this vehicle. *nm

Have a 2005 suzuki forenza. bought it june of 2005. for the time that i had the car it had little problems at times. bought the car with 5 miles on it. suzuki dealerships only look at your car by appointment only and when they do look at it they claim nothing was found. the car hesitates and downshifts hard at times. in the morning the car has hard starts when cold. the exhaust makes noise and transmission does too. the claims are that it is a characteristic of that car and normal. recently i almost got hit by a truck at an intersection because the car stalled while trying to cross the intersection from a stop sign. the gas pedal had to be pressed to the floor to move and it did it slowly. from a stop the engine would rev but the car would not move. also airbag light does not work properly. suzuki makes it hard to have your car service and claim warranty work. that includes roadside assistance too. when car was delivered back to me after i dropped it off they claim that nothing was found. maybe it was the gas cap they said. the problem happens too much too be a loose gas cap. i had to get upset for them to look at my car. many problems for a new car. *jb

Dt: the contact stated while driving the brakes failed and the check engine light came on. the road conditions were dry, and brake failure occurred under normal braking and at normal to low speeds. he contacted the dealership, who claimed the brake switch malfunctioned, causing the check engine light to come on. also, contacted the manufacturer. they told him to contact the dealership. no repairs have been made. *ak updated 1/11/2006 - *nm