Problems with 2008 Suzuki Forenza POWER TRAIN

Transmission regulation sensor - car jumping out of gear while driving. dangerous very dangerous. *tr

The transmission range sensor on suzuki forenzas and other models has been shoddy at best. my car currently has 65000 miles on it and i have replaced the trs 3 times getting ready to be a 4th. this is not a sensor that should need replaced regularly. i have had the vehicle slip out of gear at speed due to this and can never accelerate when i need to. im afraid that if i need to accelerate to avoid a collision i wont be able to. this is a safety hazard and nhtsa needs to investigate. they have more then enough complaints to see this is an issue and they need to act before someone gets killed.

I have already replaced the transmission range sensor once in october of 2014 and it is acting up again now. when i am driving the car jerks when it is shifting gears and on a couple occasions it has just switched into neutral for no reason while the car is still in motion. the most recent time was on my home from work on 8/22/16. i had to pull over and stop and start my car a few times to reset the problem. the part should not have to be replaced every couple years. this is a safety hazard and this needs to be fixed by suzuki.

The "trans range switch" is causing my car to jump to 2 gear randomly. the car seems to run fine after o start it. and out of no were the engine jumps and the "engine light" comes on the car acts likes its not in 1st gear. it can't get it to go into gear (drive or reverse) without it jumping. then after the car sits for a day it acts fine for the first trip and then it starts the same problem again afterwards. i can't go uphill either without it reaving high like its in neutral. i think this is the "trans range switch" going bad.

The "trans range switch" is causing my car to jump to 2 gear randomly. the car seems to run fine after o start it. and out of no were the engine jumps and the "engine light" comes on the car acts likes its not in 1st gear. it can't get it to go into gear (drive or reverse) without it jumping. then after the car sits for a day it acts fine for the first trip and then it starts the same problem again afterwards. i can't go uphill either without it reaving high like its in neutral. i think this is the "trans range switch" going bad.

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. *tr

When my suzuki forenza 2008 hit around 60,000 miles i started having sporadic transmission issues, including not being able to reverse properly, mechanical sounds when shifting gears, not able to accelerate when on drive, it was very stiff and difficult to accelerate, my brother has the same vehicle and had this exact same issue and it turned out it was the transmission range sensor. i took it to the dealer and it was the exact problem, i had to replace my transmission range sensor and i currently have an internal failure with my transmission and i do not plan on investing any more money towards this vehicle as i have read that many drivers have gone this route and absolutely regretted it because of the continuing problems with the transmission and other issues. *tr

I started the car. let it idle for a minute to bring the rpm down. i tried to shift it to reverse but it would not go. it had an engine warning light on. i shifted back to park and turned the car off. i let it set for a minute then restarted it. when i shifted again, it clunked and would barely move. i shifted to drive and it clunked and would barely move. i am a single 55 year old woman. i work 2 jobs and live 8 miles out of town. i can't afford to have this car down. i bought it because of the low mileage. it only has 39,000 miles. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. the contact stated that while shifting gears, the vehicle lunged forward. the contact also stated that the vehicle erroneously shifted into neutral. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 111,000 and the current mileage was 111,027.

Starting in january 2014 car had approximately 75,000 miles on it and began lurching into gear from stopped. when put into reverse, jumps into gear. when put into drive after backing out of driveway lurches forward starting in 3rd gear and continues during driving. husband diagnosed after much online research and a few months later, even taking code into dealership for repair. dealer insisted they couldn't replicate and cleared code without making note of problem. my husband argued that we wouldn't be picking car up until the problem was replicated and taken care of. after insisting they couldn't replicate, we drove back to dealership and made service manager ride with husband until car "performed" malfunction, literally a half of a block from dealership. it was obvious they were avoiding problem and hadn't driven car at all! code was noted as 0700, just as my husband had reported initially. transmission sensor was replaced and after diagnostics were finally properly performed, airbag light was also reset (has continued to come on almost entire time we've owned the car-were told our daughters long legs were kicking wires underneath drivers' side seat) and also made aware voltage is too high on drivers side but nothing was done to fix either. dealership offered no solution. spent $191.65 to fix transmission sensor. originally charging $260+ but husband demanded reduction in diagnostic price due to the fact we had to drive back into town to dealership to duplicate problem for incompetent/unwilling service department . very unsatisfied and will be looking into options after seeing transmission range sensor seems to be ongoing epidemic for many 2008 suzuki forenza owners. have also had ongoing problems with seat airbag sensor not working on front passenger's side since 2009. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. the contact stated that while he shifted gears he heard a noise and the gear shifter could not be released from second or third gear. the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised that the transmission sensor was defective. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 70,884. *tr

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. *tr

The car will not shift correctly. displays a scrambled message on the dash information console. dangerous almost caused me to be struck and killed by a 18 wheeler. something must be done by this. is a serious problem. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. the contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the accelerator pedal was engaged and failed to respond as the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. the vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine wire harness and the engine control module needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 71,844. updated 6/11/15*cn the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired by replacing the engine wire harness. updated 7/16/2015*js

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. the contact was driving approximately 50 mph when the vehicle stalled as the contact down shifted. the engine rpm's then decreased abnormally low. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the problem. the failure mileage was 55,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. the contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop, the vehicle exhibited a delayed response. on a separate occasion the gear lever was shifted into drive and the transmission independently shifted into reverse. the vehicle was taken to a transmission center where the transmission range sensor was replaced. the manufacturer was not notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 47,000. updated 04/30/13*lj

In less than 2 months, i've had to replace several parts of my car that i don't believe is part of regular service maintenance. thermostat, coolant hose, spark plugs (twice in a year), brake lights and headlight bulbs (replaced twice in a year), transmission control module and motor mounts because of the tcm that made my car jerk all the time whenever i accelerate. either at a traffic light or on the freeway, my car hesitates to accelerate and jerks every time i shift gears. now, possibly the transmission range sensor needs to be replaced (i am currently in the process with this one). i'm afraid in the next few months, i'll be spending more on car repairs than the car is worth and it's only a 2008! *tr

One day, when i put my car in reverse, it "clunked" into gear, the gear display was scrambled, and the check engine light came on. i shut my car off and started it again, thinking it was a fluke. the check engine light remained on and it also "clunked" into drive. when i went to accelerate, the rpm's were 5-10 higher than normal and it took a little longer to "get up and go." sometimes, my car will initially run fine until a few minutes into the drive, when it falls into neutral while driving, then goes back to drive, the check engine light comes on again, and the problems resurface. i took it to advanced auto parts and the machine said transmission control system but they said that could mean anything and would be fine to drive. after taken off the machine, the check engine light went off, only to come on again the next time i drove it. my brother (who has mechanical experience) cleaned the transmission sensor and filter, hoping it would help, but it didn't. as i go to a small town college three hours away from home and make a 3 minute drive to and from classes everyday, i let it be for the semester, insisting that it would eventually go away. well, it's christmas and it never went away; each day i drive my car it presents me with the same problems. my brother took my car back to advanced auto parts and the machine read the same issues as before, plus a possible wire short. they didn't suggest any fixes so he checked for shorts in the wires and found none. it appears it must be the transmission range sensor. after reading up on the trs, it seems that this is an ongoing problem that many owners are experiencing as early as 30k miles on cars some bought new. i feel as though this issue has also caused other problems with my car (reduced gas mileage/battery failure) and is cause for a factory recall, as its appearance is widespread and the effects are numerous. *tr

The tcm switch on my 2008 suzuki forenza was replaced in november of 2010 and was found by an authorized service center for suzuki as being defected. i was told that it caused the transmission to switch itself into neutral, which caused the car to fail attempts to accelerate at times. i had taken the car to the suzuki dealership where i purchased the car within 30 days of buying the car and complained about acceleration. i was told the was new and would take a little while for the parts to work out their newness. within the next two years this issue persisted and would cease to happen after taking the car in and being told there was no problem found. the issue seemed to go away and would return again within 90 days. i was even told that i was used to driving cars with better performance and my perception of how the car drives was the issue. it was only after going to different service center that i was told the tcms are often replaced but the failure to accelerate issue could also be the engine or transmission. failure to accelerate could happen after coming to a complete stop or acceleration above 40mph. the issue returned after having the tcm switch replaced within 90 days as it had done after each visit where i was told there was no problem found. the incidents were intermittent and if left past 90 days would increase in frequency. my latest visit was to the original dealership on 7/14/12 where i was told that no problems were found with the tcm switch. when asked to see the read out for the test, i was denied and given $1,500 in estimates to clean my engine and general maintenance that was due. the engine light came on this time, so, i could have errors read. i found out in september that the tcm switch is failing. this complaint is the first step to getting this addressed. *tr

I am thinking our transmission range sensor went out on our 2008 suzuki forenza with over 70,000 miles. car check engine light was on for a few days, then turned off about 3 days ago, stopped at drug store, when i turned on the car, the check engine light was back on, put car in reverse and clunk, while the display where the r for reverse would have been was scrambled, car still reversed. clunked into drive, and wouldn't switch out of 1st gear. *tr

When shifting from park to reverse, the transmission thumps and the check engine light comes on. car will only drive sluggishly. goes away eventually, but has happened 3 times. looking on internet, it appears to be transmission range sensor. also, the brake shift interlock failed, and could not get the car out of park. used the over-ride hole to get car out of park. *tr

As i was driving, the car all the sudden slipped into neutral and showed a d with a slash through it. i pulled over and tried to put the car in park. the vehicle displayed i was in reverse. when i put it in drive it read neutral. when i started driving again, there was no power, as if i was in neutral. this has continued since.then, i have almost been hit.numerous times, once almost hit from the front and the rear when turning on a yielding green light and the car through itself into neutral. also i have hit the gas in drive and gone backwards. i am very disappointed i have a 3 year old car with only 52,000 miles that is this dangerous for my two year old son and i. i have problems with this car daily. *tr

Transmission range sensor failed causing vehicle to jump gear and rearend another vehicle causing 1800 dollars in damage to personal vehicle and unknown amount to vehicle that was hit. this sensor had previously been replaced by dealer 3 times prior to vehicle reaching 36,000 miles. after alot of research myself there seems to be alot of problems with this. this vehicle should be recalled for this transmission sensor before somebody get seriously hurt!

My 08 forenza hesitates during cold start up. no codes show. it has 58000 miles (timing belt due in a few thousand), 5 speed stick , driven 90 miles one way every 3 third day. it did die on the highway back in january '11 , cel came on, went into limp mode,i didn't shut down for fear of completely dying it was towed to dealer. pulled codes p2106, p2110, and p0835 from computer. dealer found nothing wrong other than codes. since then hesitation has been getting worse. it doesn't seem to idle normally all that well even after driving for several hours (seems like tps is sticking runs around 2000 for about 15 seconds after coming to a stop). *tr

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.

The car hesitates during cold start up. the car also jumps out of gear while i'm driving and has led to several near miss accidents where both me and my daughter could have been severely injured. trying to get help from the american suzuki customer assistance is a joke. the customer service is bad and every time you call back to follow-up the person that was handling your case mysteriously quits. all they do is jerk you around until the basic warranty expires and you're no longer their problem. after this all repairs are out of pocket. i have taken my car to get repaired several times and each time they don't know what's wrong. i have had two new transmissions put in and my car only has 29,856 miles on it. i can't believe there hasn't been a recall on this vehicle; it is a safety hazard. i guess this is why suzuki was so quick to discontinue manufacturing this vehicle the same year it was produced. i want suzuki to take responsibility for this defective vehicle and either replace it or refund the purchase price of the car. i refuse to pass this problem on to another consumer. the dealerships clearly misrepresented the safety and quality of this vehicle. its not fair that consumers are getting ripped off and no one seems to care!! *tr

I noticed my car having difficulty accelerating and it would occasionally feel the engine jump while driving. the check engine light was on. i was going down the interstate when the engine shut itself off. luckily it turned itself back on and i was able to safely accelerate to speed. the shop said that it was the transmission range sensor and the transmission control sensor. a year ago the car was displaying funny symbols and would not start occasionally. again the same sensors had to be replaced. a third time the car check engine light came on and the car was again having difficulty accelerating. the acceleration issue and the light are intermittent, it has now again begun doing the engine "jump" it is scary being at a light and not being able to move. it is very scary stopping to turn left into my apartment complex and not knowing if my car will respond when i have a gap in traffic to turn. took it to a shop today to find out that the codes from the engine check light are again the transmission range sensor and the transmission control sensor. the car has under 65k and i have had these issues three times. i am thankful that it has not caused a major accident. *tr

Transmission range switch, fails to shift down during acceleration, may work for a while and then makes a clunk and fails again, causes check engine light to glow and may show a box with a diagonal line through it where the d for drive would be. *tt

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki forenza. the contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle erroneously slipped out of gear and jolted. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the failure on several occasions. the dealer updated the computer but the failure continued. the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 7 and the current mileage was 60,000. the vin was unknown. *tr