Transmission range sensor malfunction. Car won't accelerate or go above 1st gear. $160 to replace. Known issue with this vehicle.

- West Melbourne, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently and hesitated to stop. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

- Gurley, AL, USA

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.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

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!

- Chapin, SC, USA

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.

- Pacific, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. While driving 5 mph before stopping at a traffic light with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contacts foot remained on the brake pedal when the vehicle changed gears and slowed down. The failure has occurred seven times. The dealer was contacted and stated that they have never had any complaints on her year, make, and model vehicle. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 6000. The current mileage was 16125. Updated 3/4/2010 updated 06/18/10.

- Sioux, IA, USA