SUZUKI VEHICLES: COUNTER MEASURE PROCEDURE FOR DTC P2138. MIL LIGHT IS ON, DTC P2138 STORED. FAILURE OF THE CONNECTOR AND/OR WIRING CIRCUITS BETWEEN THE ECM AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. MODELS FORENZA, FORENZA WAGON AND RENO (RQ420).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Suzuki Forenza electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2008 Suzuki Forenza have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 96,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Forenza | 28 |
| 2006 Forenza | 33 |
| 2007 Forenza | 31 |
| 2008 Forenza (this page) | 20 |
5fires
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
P0441 OR P0496 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM CONTINUOUS PURGE FLOW).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a critical fire hazard in the DRL (Daytime Running Light) module that burns, melts, and overheats under the steering wheel. Suzuki issued a formal safety recall in July 2014 citing "increased risk of fire," but repair parts remained unavailable for at least one year, leaving owners to drive a known fire risk. Multiple vehicles have caught fire spontaneously while parked, with flames originating from the dash area and burning through to the firewall. One owner's parked car burst into flames, causing a total loss; another had a fire extinguished by a tow-truck driver while the vehicle smoked on the flatbed. Dealers refused recall service work despite having parts in stock, claiming parts were unavailable.
Beyond the fire issue, owners report melted fuses, repeated transmission range sensor failures (replaced twice in one case, then failed again), door locks clicking uncontrollably or unlocking themselves while driving, and tire pressure sensors that stay on indefinitely. Multiple electrical systems—headlights, air conditioning, windows—cut out simultaneously while driving. Check engine lights return persistently after battery service. Diagnostic fuses have been replaced four times in one case without resolving underlying sensor faults. Repair costs quoted at $1,400 for diagnostic module replacement leave some owners unable to afford fixes, and airbag deployment is withheld until electrical work is completed.
Same Suzuki Forenza electrical reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
DRL Module overheating and fire risk
Daytime Running Light (DRL) module burns, melts, or overheats severely, creating a fire hazard. Module becomes too hot to touch. Headlights and daytime running lamps malfunction abnormally. Vehicles catch fire spontaneously or while parked, with flames and smoke originating from under the steering wheel or dashboard.
When: Various mileages; one report at 47,000 miles; some fires occur while vehicle parked and off
Symptoms owners cite: DRL module melted or burned; Extreme heat under steering wheel; Headlights stay on after engine shut off; High and low beam headlamps malfunction; Smoke coming from vents or under steering wheel; Burning odor strong enough to persist for weeks; Dashboard burns and melts; Car alarm activating, lights flashing
Repairs/costs cited: Owner in narrative #4 paid out of pocket for DRL module replacement; dealers acknowledge part availability but refuse recall service; narrative #2 owner found and unplugged module themselves
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign ID 14V262000 (Electrical); Suzuki issued safety recall notice dated 7/22/2014 stating 'RECALL SERVICE PARTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE' and 'INCREASED RISK OF FIRE'; parts remained unavailable one year later; dealers refused recall work despite having parts in stock; manufacturer denied reimbursement claim for owner who repaired out of pocket
Fuse melting and electrical overload
Fuses melt and burn from electrical overload, causing loss of lighting and accessory functions. Carpet near driver side burns from fuse melt. Owner had to disconnect battery to stop headlights staying on.
When: Failure recurred on multiple occasions; one at 44,585 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fuse melted and burned; Headlights and hazard lights failed; Burning odor emitted; Carpet burned near driver side; Dashboard burned
Repairs/costs cited: Fuses replaced four times in one case since February 2008 without resolving issue; vehicle not repaired in another case
Transmission Range Sensor malfunction
Transmission range sensor fails repeatedly, causing jerking during gear changes, reduced RPM ceiling, and loss of vehicle response. Sensor replaced twice in one case and failed again.
When: Recurring failures; one owner replaced sensor twice
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy jerking when changing gears; RPMs will not exceed 3000; Check engine light illuminated; 'HOLD' flashes on dash; Vehicle accelerates very slowly; Shudders above 50 mph; Speedometer drops to zero while driving
Codes mentioned: B1382, B114, B1102, B1103, B1405
Repairs/costs cited: One owner quoted $1,400 for diagnostic module and passenger airbag replacement; owner unable to afford repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states issue should be under Suzuki warranty as safety concern
Check Engine Light and sensor diagnostic faults
Check engine light illuminates with sensor-related codes including pedal position sensor and voltage issues. Light returns after battery replacement and reconnection. Multiple sensor lights activate including airbag and tire pressure sensors; fuse replacement attempted as fix.
When: One case had check engine light return 4 days after battery replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Check engine light returns repeatedly; Airbag sensor light activated; Tire pressure light on; Vehicle stalls after 5–10 miles of driving during slowdown
Codes mentioned: Pedal Position Sensor, Volt Coalition (voltage-related)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner referred to previous 2007 complaints and felt recall was warranted
Door lock system clicking and malfunction
Door locks engage in continuous clicking noise while vehicle is parked and running, or while driving. Doors unlock and relock repeatedly on their own, sometimes for extended periods. Locks will not remain secured.
When: Occurs repeatedly over days or weeks; clicking happens intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Door locks making clicking noise when car not started; Clicking noise continues even after turning locks off and on; Doors unlock and relock automatically while driving; Pattern repeats for extended time (10+ minutes in one case); Doors will not remain locked when secured
Tire Pressure Monitoring System sensor failure
Tire pressure warning light stays on continuously or returns within minutes of tire inflation, despite no detectable air leaks and proper tire pressure. Sensor never turns off since purchase.
When: Persistent from time of purchase or after initial complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure sensor light will not turn off; Light returns on within 30 minutes of inflation; Front driver tire loses air without leaks; Tire sensor remains on despite brand new tires
Repairs/costs cited: Tires checked and inflated with no detected leaks
Electrical power loss affecting multiple systems
Headlights, air conditioning, and power windows shut off simultaneously while driving and then resume function after vehicle restart. Headlights flicker when window buttons pressed. Multiple electrical systems lose power unexpectedly.
When: Occurred while vehicle moving
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights shut off while driving; Air conditioning shut off while driving; Power windows shut off while driving; Headlights flicker when window buttons pressed; Air conditioning delayed restart (30 minutes later)
Hard acceleration and transmission shifting issues
Vehicle jerks or jumps hard when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse. Difficulty accelerating, particularly uphill, requiring full throttle pressure to move. Issues correlate with transmission range sensor malfunction.
When: Recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Car jumps hard when pulling out of Park into Drive or Reverse; Hard time accelerating going uphill; Requires full throttle pressure to accelerate
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had electrical trouble with your 2008 Suzuki Forenza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2008 Suzuki Forenza?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 47,000 and 116,000 miles, with the median around 96,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,000; a quarter make it past 116,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Suzuki/Forenza.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.