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.

- Bay Shore, NY, USA

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.

- Chula, GA, USA

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.

- Elmira, NY, USA

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.

- Johnson City, TN, USA

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.

- Roy, UT, USA

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!!!!

- Brownsville, TX, USA

I took my car into the dealership in the beginning of January 2008 for the 2 safety recalls to be repaired. The very next day my car struggled to shift 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears. I called the dealership and told them what was going on and they set up an appointment for the next day. They drove the car and said it wasn't doing anything. So, I left the dealership and my car continued to do this. My car progressively got worse with the engine revving high and not wanting to shift gears. It eventually began jerking violently when trying to shift all gears! I made another appointment with Suzuki on February 26, 2008 and drove the car while the manager rode along with me. My car was having a very mild day as far as the jerking and hard shifting and only did it once while he was with me. They reset the computer part of the transmission and sent me on my way. Well, the very next day the car went right back to it's old way of jerking and shifting hard. On March 1, 2008 I was pulling out from a side road onto a main road and my car did not want to go! the engine just revved very high and wouldn't shift gears! I didn't know what to do other than to floor it! it eventually shifted gears and went on down the road. Now that I am doing a little more research I see that others are having similar problems (ODI 10211177, ODI 10145983, ODI 10144874). I really feel like Suzuki is just trying to hold off until I pass the 36,000 mile mark so they don't have to worry about it. This vehicle is unsafe to drive and the dealership in my area does not give loaner cars anymore because of insurance liability reasons. Well, this is my only vehicle so I don't have a choice but to drive an unsafe vehicle. I really thought Suzuki's customer service was much better than this!

- New Bern, NC, USA

Automatic car down-shift when U let up on gas.

- Dubuque, IA, USA

: 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.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

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.

- Durham , NC, USA

Purchased this vehicle one month prior to problem. The automatic transmission constantly hunts for gears, shifting abruptly and sharply without provocation. At 2,950 miles, the 'check engine' light came on and engine began to groan. When proceeding from a stop, the engine would rev but the vehicle would not move as if transmission was not engaged. After a short period, vehicle would jerk violently and transmission would engage, but constantly shift early or late and hunt between gears. Took vehicle to dealer to solve problem. Was informed that the 'check engine' was definitely on and that a transmission flush was performed to solve the problem, as per a "recall" on 2005 Forenza transmissions. Transmission does shift smoother now, but still has jerky moments.

- Schertz, TX, USA

Caller has a 2005 Suzuki Forenza. Car jerks without warning because the adaptive transmission learning software in the compute is defective. Caller says the adaptive transmission shifting is affected by the computer problem, and the car hunts between gears, and that is why it jerks. Caller is concerned about his family being in this car. Dealer said they have no fix at this time, dealer will contact the manufacturer. Caller did E-mail manufacturer and is waiting for a response.

- Battle Creek , MI, USA