NHTSA vehicle safety data
2008 Suzuki Forenza Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2008 Suzuki Forenza has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 152 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Suzuki dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Suzuki Forenza, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2008 Suzuki Forenza owner complaints
Owners have filed 152 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Suzuki Forenza, describing incidents dated March 6, 2007 to January 5, 2022.
Most-cited components
- Power Train 79 complaints
- Air Bags 32 complaints
- Electrical System 32 complaints
- Engine 29 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 18 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 10 complaints
Of the 152 complaints on file, 14 report a crash and 10 a fire; across all 152 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11486246 · Filed
Every neutral safety switch made for this vehicle is faulty be driving down the road it'll switch from drive to neutral or any other gear I've had it go into reverse while going 50 mph down the road I've replaced this part five times still have same problem part works for about a month then goes…
ODI #11208565 · Filed
I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP MCCANN CAR LOT IN SPARTA NC MCCANN TOLD ME IT WAS THE BEST CAR ON THE LOT HE DROVE ME THROUGH TOWN TELLING ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THEN LET ME DRIVE IT A SHORT DISTANCE INSURED ME THE CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME AFTER WE WENT…
ODI #11113326 · Filed
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING OUT THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND…
Owner-reported
2008 Suzuki Forenza mileage at failure
129 of the 152 complaints on file for the 2008 Suzuki Forenza give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | Median 60,000 miles | Middle half 45,000–80,000 miles | Based on 72 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
Headlamp Switch or DRL Module Overheating
NHTSA #14V262000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice
Reported May 19, 2014 · Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 184,244 vehicles
Repair completion: 18.17% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Suzuki campaign XA · Owners notified October 29, 2014 · Vehicles built September 1, 2003 – July 30, 2008 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Forenza vehicles, and 2005-2008 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2003, through July 30, 2008. In the affected vehicles, heat may be generated in the headlamp switch or daytime running light (DRL) module which could melt the headlamp switch or the DRL module.
Safety consequence
If the heat generated within the headlamp switch or DRL module located on the left side of the steering column melts the headlamp switch or DRL module, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Suzuki will replace the signal switch and add a jumper relay kit and will replace the DRL Module in teh instrument panel harness. Suzuki distributed to owners an interim letter on July 30, 2014. The recall began October 29, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is XA.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Suzuki Forenza model years
Check your 2008 Suzuki Forenza VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Suzuki Forenza at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Suzuki VIN