On 1/19/2026 at 6:14 AM, scubascuba3 said:

Don't forget, you can use google translate app on your phone to communicate with these people in person

Of course!

The local (quite large) FORD dealership and Service Centre, where i take my old Fiesta for replacement/repairs occasionally, ALSO seems to have NOBODY who can converse /understand simple English.

(You would think that Ford would have?)

So we MUST default to Google Translate or similar, on our phones.....either spoken into the app or written for Translation.

Seems to work OK.

Can't imagine anyone being "stuck" here because 'they don't speak English ' !!!

BTW , they invariably 'try it on' to suggest replacing many more items than I brought the car in for. ..because "Ford Recommends" .

Of course they do!!

Well I know how to say "no thanks, I don't want " in Thai !

I've got a Suzuki Celerio. About 2 weeks ago the shifter would only engage 3rd and 4th gear.

I drove it to a local rural auto shop out here in NoWhereVille, Lamphun Province. The mechanic had it fixed the next day. 600THB.

Stuck In Reverse = "Throttle cable"? Something is seriously missing in the translation I'm afraid. 🤔

4 hours ago, 8OA8 said:

https://youtube.com/shorts/v_XxKEABuRk?si=TbM2BQQdevIDN2F9

Yeah - that!

I don't know the exact issue you're facing. BUT, if its a broken cable, don't panic.

Today, there are many places that custom make cables.

I feel your main issue is communication. Get a trusted Thai person to help you out.

3 hours ago, Terry2905 said:

Hi guys.

Thank you all for all your advice.

I have good news.

I eventually contacted the Suzuki head office, and they have told me that the new spare part has arrived at the garage, and the car will be fixed.

It may be today, but guaranteed by Friday.

Now to try and calm down, LOL!

Thanks again to all of you.

Terry

Glad it worked out. As with so many issues like this, it often comes down to getting through to the right people.

I had a similar problem with a previous car a couple of years ago.

There was a horrible grinding-knocking noise from the front right whenever turning sharply or going over speed bumps.

I took it to the dealer and collected it a few days later. They said they had repaired the suspension and replaced a rubber bushing. They claimed to have test-driven the car and assured us everything was fine, even showing us the parts they had changed.

I drove the car home and immediately noticed the problem was still there.

We contacted head office to complain. We made it clear we were not going to have our time wasted - we had paid a for repairs that were plainly ineffective. They told us to take the car back - we objected and wanted them to take better ownership of their error. The dealership then sent a mechanic out to “witness the problem”. I took him for a test drive, the noise happened again, and his response was that 'I was driving too fast and that farang do not drive the same way Thais do'.... At that point I realised I was dealing with a face-saving idiot - we dismissed him.

Head office we're contacted again and said they'd collect the car, and I insisted it be taken to a different dealership within their network.

The car was returned a day or two later day. A fractured engine mount had been repaired - noise was the engine loose on one of its 4 mounts - the problem was solved, and the repair costs were waived.

It was obvious to me that the original mechanic had been too lazy to properly investigate the issue and had simply instructed his juniors to replace parts he 'thought' were the issue. The second mechanic actually did his job - but only after head office instructed him to give the car some genuine attention.

And I think that is often the real issue here - getting through to someone with enough authority or influence that they actually care.

Fortunately for the OP, it seems he managed to find someone at the main dealership who did.

Had this problem on the wife's car, transmission Bushing Suzuki CIAZ, would not change gear etc. I had a look saw the problem and bought the parts on Lazada (cost about 100baht) and fixed it myself. Very easy and I assure you I am not good at these DIY projects. So stop worrying, find your car, get someone who can translate for you and confirm the problem. It should be very easy and cheap to fix, but being at a Suzuki dealer they may want to max the price.

Hi guys.

The car is fixed. I will pick it up tomorrow.

I don't know who called me today, but they spoke perfect English, so I guess it was the head office?

It was the gear selector cable that was broken.

I noticed comments about why I bought a suzuki, when there are no suzuki garages in Pattaya? There used to one on sukhumvit road, and I had it serviced 3 times there.

I received a message a couple of years ago from Suzuki ITOA, to bring my car for a service. I went to the Suzuki garage, only to find that it was now a Mercedes garage! After a few phone calls, Suzuki told me that they had moved to Sri Racha. After calling AXA, they told me that the Suzuki garage in Sri Racha has now permanently closed! They also told me that the Suzuki production plant has also shut down!

It looks like Suzuki are going down the same route as Chevrolet? But Chevrolet car owners were lucky that Ford have taken over service and repair of Chevrolet cars.

Of course I am not going to take my car all that way for service!

I am hoping that places like Cockpit can service a Suzuki?

I think I have covered the questions that all you guys have replied?

Anyway, a lot of you were actually correct in saying that it most likely a gear selector cable that was broken, as I had thought, but the garage had initially told me, in very broken English, that it was a throttle cable! I think they were using a translator, which mixed up gear as throttle!

Tomorrow could be an adventure, trying to find my car!

Bolt didn't recognise the garage, but grab did, so fingers crossed that I get taken to where my car is!

Thanks again everyone for all your help and information.

Terry

3 hours ago, Terry2905 said:

Hi guys.

The car is fixed. I will pick it up tomorrow.

I don't know who called me today, but they spoke perfect English, so I guess it was the head office?

It was the gear selector cable that was broken.

I noticed comments about why I bought a suzuki, when there are no suzuki garages in Pattaya? There used to one on sukhumvit road, and I had it serviced 3 times there.

I received a message a couple of years ago from Suzuki ITOA, to bring my car for a service. I went to the Suzuki garage, only to find that it was now a Mercedes garage! After a few phone calls, Suzuki told me that they had moved to Sri Racha. After calling AXA, they told me that the Suzuki garage in Sri Racha has now permanently closed! They also told me that the Suzuki production plant has also shut down!

It looks like Suzuki are going down the same route as Chevrolet? But Chevrolet car owners were lucky that Ford have taken over service and repair of Chevrolet cars.

Of course I am not going to take my car all that way for service!

I am hoping that places like Cockpit can service a Suzuki?

I think I have covered the questions that all you guys have replied?

Anyway, a lot of you were actually correct in saying that it most likely a gear selector cable that was broken, as I had thought, but the garage had initially told me, in very broken English, that it was a throttle cable! I think they were using a translator, which mixed up gear as throttle!

Tomorrow could be an adventure, trying to find my car!

Bolt didn't recognise the garage, but grab did, so fingers crossed that I get taken to where my car is!

Thanks again everyone for all your help and information.

Terry

Glad you got the problem resolved and you can finally relax a bit. Must have been a very stressful episode for you. These things usually work themselves out but it's still a PITA when it's happening.

Hope the collection tomorrow is straightforward and uneventful.

16 hours ago, orchidfan said:

The local (quite large) FORD dealership and Service Centre, where i take my old Fiesta for replacement/repairs occasionally, ALSO seems to have NOBODY who can converse /understand simple English.

(You would think that Ford would have?)

I haven't had much luck with them, and have used 2 different service centres. They sometimes had one member of staff that could speak English, but often not and it was my poor attempts at Thai and her bit of English. They once brought one of the sales girls to help but I was too distracted by her short skirt and great legs!

4 hours ago, Keeps said:

Glad you got the problem resolved and you can finally relax a bit. Must have been a very stressful episode for you. These things usually work themselves out but it's still a PITA when it's happening.

Hope the collection tomorrow is straightforward and uneventful.

God help you if some event that's half serious comes calling, your well n truly doomed myfriend! 🫠

Hi guys.

Collected my car. Thankfully the taxi took me to the right garage.

I have only had a brief chance to look at the broken gear selector cable, and as has been mentioned, it was only a bush that had totally disintegrated!

But the Suzuki policy is obviously to replace the whole cable assembly.

Total cost was 2,043 baht.

I don't think they have done a perfect job though?

The gear selector lever position does not align very well! Internally, drive looks like neutral! But of course I know what gear the car is in, from the dashboard display.

The important thing is that it works!

Terry

On 1/19/2026 at 10:31 AM, CallumWK said:

As per the post above mine, that is the most likely part that needs replacing, but Suzuki will want to replace the entire cable.

If you are in Pattaya go to Ood garage, next to the Esso gas station on Sukhumvit Pattaya Thai and he will have that part for you.
I had the same issue with my Navara, cost was 350 baht from memory.

You still can drive the car, just go under the car and manually put the car in gear moving the lev

On 1/19/2026 at 12:41 PM, Patong2021 said:

He has peripheral neuropathy. Not physically advisable to do this.

In respect to the car part, aren't there salvage yards, where vehicles are laid to rest to be recycled? Can't a used part be found as a hold over until a replacement part is eventually found? I am not a mechanical specialist and this is just me thinking

On 1/19/2026 at 12:41 PM, Patong2021 said:

He has peripheral neuropathy. Not physically advisable to do this.

In respect to the car part, aren't there salvage yards, where vehicles are laid to rest to be recycled? Can't a used part be found as a hold over until a replacement part is eventually found? I am not a mechanical specialist and this is just me thinking aloud.

23 hours ago, Terry2905 said:

Hi guys.

Collected my car. Thankfully the taxi took me to the right garage.

I have only had a brief chance to look at the broken gear selector cable, and as has been mentioned, it was only a bush that had totally disintegrated!

But the Suzuki policy is obviously to replace the whole cable assembly.

Total cost was 2,043 baht.

I don't think they have done a perfect job though?

The gear selector lever position does not align very well! Internally, drive looks like neutral! But of course I know what gear the car is in, from the dashboard display.

The important thing is that it works!

Terry

23 hours ago, Terry2905 said:

Hi guys.

Collected my car. Thankfully the taxi took me to the right garage.

I have only had a brief chance to look at the broken gear selector cable, and as has been mentioned, it was only a bush that had totally disintegrated!

But the Suzuki policy is obviously to replace the whole cable assembly.

Total cost was 2,043 baht.

I don't think they have done a perfect job though?

The gear selector lever position does not align very well! Internally, drive looks like neutral! But of course I know what gear the car is in, from the dashboard display.

The important thing is that it works!

Terry

23 hours ago, Terry2905 said:

Hi.

Thought I would update.

The cable needed to be replaced as a complete item.

The bushes at each end are not replaceable.

It had detached from under the gear selector lever inside the car.

I will try and attach some photos.