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2008 Suzuki Forenza Transmission & Power Train Problems

NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026

69Power Train complaints
45.4%Of all 152 complaints
#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How power train ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN69 · 45.4%
AIR BAGS26 · 17.1%
ENGINE22 · 14.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL18 · 11.8%

Share of the 152 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2008 Suzuki Forenza overview page.

What owners report

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10594145 — filed 05/26/2014
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10593689 — filed 05/23/2014
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10593610 — filed 05/23/2014

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Power Train complaints by year filed

22010820111020122620131120143201562016120171201912022

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Suzuki Forenza have transmission & power train problems?

Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2008 Suzuki Forenza: 69 of 152 complaints on file (45.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2008 Suzuki Forenza have in total?

152 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 14 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, 8 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's power train category include?

NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.