SuzukiForenza2008Overview/suzuki/forenza/2008/base/

2008 Suzuki Forenza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Forenza.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2008 Suzuki Forenza is a passenger car that uses 4.2 qt of 5W‑30 API oil and is mated to an automatic four‑speed transmission, delivering EPA‑rated 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. It recorded 152 total owner complaints, with power‑train issues accounting for the majority and only a single recall, situating its reliability near the lower end of a complaint history that peaked at 280 grievances in 2006 and fell to 63 in 2004. Consequently, the 2008 model represents the more stable conclusion of a five‑year trend toward improved reliability.

Model year2008200720062004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque66-92 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/28/22 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 28 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume95 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 66-92 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Manual Transmission FluidGL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity3.8
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts66-92 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.37-1.46 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type150
Oil Capacity7.44 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test13-17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-17 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature189 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55.0-57.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.4 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle41 ft-lbs / 89 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0001 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.95 in / 0.409 in
Rotor Finish0.87 μin / 0.315 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep M10 Bolts:

138 ft. lbs.38 ft. lbs
259.5 ft. lbs.59.5 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts.
438 ft. lbs.38 ft. lbs
574.5 ft. lbs.; M6 Bolts:74.5 ft. lbs
18

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
At 15,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Frame Fasteners (torque)
Every 22,500 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)
Every 90,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2008, the Suzuki Forenza saw 152 complaints and only one recall, a sharp drop from the 280 complaints and four recalls recorded in 2006, and a decline from the 256 complaints of 2007. The trend across the generation shows a peak in 2006, followed by a gradual decline in both complaints and recalls through 2008, suggesting improvements in vehicle reliability. The 2008 complaints are dominated by Power Train issues (42), followed by Air Bags (24), with Electrical System and Power Train/Engine complaints lower in frequency. Crash and fire complaints were 14 and 10 respectively, consistent with the lower overall complaint volume. Based on the data, 2008 represents a year of reduced problem frequency compared to the peak of 2006, making it a relatively more reliable model year to consider for purchase.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
13
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
152
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 10 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 152 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train42
Air Bags24
Electrical System8
Power Train,Engine7
Power Train,Electrical System5
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine5
Vehicle Speed Control5
Exterior Lighting4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V262000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 19/05/2014

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 13 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SUZ_0160082022-07-08SuspensionReminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension…
N-Q-G-0452018-11-20SuspensionThis Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki…
SUZ_0131752016-05-18Air BagsTHIS SERVICE BULLETIN UPDATES A BULLETIN ORIGINALLY ISSUED ON MAY 18, 2016, CONCERNING A…
TS-30-062632013-08-08EngineSUZUKI: SUZUKI HAS REPLACEMENT OIL PUMPS THAT HAVE A THREADED PLUG. THE THREADED PROVES…
TS 03 022832013-03-12Service Brakes, HydraulicLONG BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL FORENZA EQUIPPED WITH ABS BRAKES. CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF LONG…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Forenza. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Forenza take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Forenza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Forenza get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.