RoadVitals

2005 Suzuki Reno

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
32
Latest Sep 6, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 19, 2014
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 32 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Suzuki Reno, most frequently naming the airbags, exterior lighting and tires & wheels categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 14 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags1843.9%
  • Exterior lighting512.2%
  • Tires & wheels37.3%
  • Engine37.3%
  • Powertrain (other)24.9%
  • Transmission24.9%
  • Body & structure24.9%
  • Electrical24.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
14V262000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 19, 2014
184,244 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.Manufacturer number XAView on NHTSA.gov
12V397000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 14, 2012
101,688 units potentially affected
The defect: Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Forenza and model year 2005-2006 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 23, 2003, through March 7, 2006. Increased resistance due to poor contact between the terminals of certain wires can generate heat that can melt the splice pack used to connect the power circuit wires for the headlamps. This can result in intermittent or total loss of low/high beam headlamp function.
The risk: If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and Suzuki dealers will reconnect the affected wires with two heat-shrink crimps, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 25, 2012. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-877-697-8985.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number NUView on NHTSA.gov
07V452000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Sep 25, 2007
93,963 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, HEADLAMP LOW BEAM OR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT (DRL) FUNCTION MAY BE INOPERATIVE DUE TO A MELTED SPLICE PACK ON THE WIRING HARNESS.
The risk: INAPPROPRIATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLES AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL SPLICE THE POWER CIRCUIT WIRES FOR THE LOW-BEAM HEADLAMPS AND DRL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN THREE PHASES, STARTING AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2007 AND CONCLUDING BY THE END OF JANUARY 2008;. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number NBView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 32
Airbags
Filed Sep 6, 2019

DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. NOT SURE AIRBAG WOULD INFLATE IF I WAS IN A ACCIDENT OR IF IT MIGHT INFLATE ON ITS OWN WHILE I AM DRIVING AND CAUSE A ACCIDENT. I ALSO CANNOT FIND A SUZUKI DEALERSHIP ANYMORE THAT COULD DO A RECALL REPAIR IF THERE IS ONE.

NHTSA ID
11253588
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Airbags
Filed May 9, 2017

THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ID
10984473
Incident
May 5, 2017
Mileage
94,854 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 14, 2015

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON WITHOUT ANY READILY IDENTIFIABLE CAUSE. SEVERAL REPAIR FACILITIES CANNOT SEEM TO FIND OUT WHY IT REMAINS ON. I SUSPECT THIS IS RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING TSBS: #TS0501158, #0312234, AND #0512234. WHY THIS ISN'T BEING TREATED AS A SAFETY ISSUE IS UNCLEAR TO ME. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT DISABLES A SAFETY SYSTEM (AIRBAGS) IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10782146
Incident
Aug 13, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 30, 2015

I HAVE HAD A RECALLED ON MY CAR SINCE 12/2014 AND AS OF TODAY 3/30/2015 AND STILL HAVING AN ISSUES WITH THE DEALERSHIPS TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10702503
Incident
Dec 23, 2014
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 17, 2014

FROM DAY ONE, MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH DIFFERENT ISSUES IE, IT'S THE GAS CAP, THE MAN WHO SOLD ME THE CAR, (THE DEALER) TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED,SO MUCH, THEN HE TOOK OFF, AND LEFT MASSACHUSETTS AFTER SELLING ME A LEMON. ETC. HOW MANY GAS CAPS DO I HAVE TO BUY? NOW AT YEAR 2014, THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE ENGINE BELT SNAPPED, THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP, (IN JULY OF 2010), AND THE SENSOR HAS GONE COMPLETELY WILD, IE, COMES ON AND GOES OFF STEADILY, HAD THAT REPAIRED, AND WHEN I DRIVE THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON AND GOES OFF, OFF, AND ON, AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT STEADILY DOES THE SAME, AFTER HAVING IT REPAIRED TWICE. THE WEBSITE WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/CITY/FLORENCE/AL HAS HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON ALL OF THE SUZUKI VEHICLES FROM 2005-2012. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE IN ORDER TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE SUZUKI VEHICLES? I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE KIND OF REPAIRS, STILL MAKING CAR NOTES, ON THIS CAR, AND I HAVE TO HAVE TOP NOTCH INSURANCE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO DO ABOUT THESE VEHICLES. I AM HOPING IT DOESN'T HAVE TO TAKE SOMEONE TO BE KILLED IN ORDER FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN FOR A RECALL. THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY FOR 90 DAYS, AND THOUGH I EXERCISED IT. I GOT THE RUN AROUND BECAUSE THE DEALER, AND THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T DO THE RIGHTFUL REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE IN THE TIME ALLOWED. THE FAULT IS ON BOTH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10598776
Incident
Sep 16, 2008
Mileage
33,570 mi
Engine
Filed May 24, 2014

THERE IS A FUME THAT SMELLS TOXIC. I HAVE HAD A NEW VALVE COVER GASKET AND A CABIN FILTER PUT ON THIS CAR BUT THE FUMES PERSIST. I THINK THEY ARE BAD FOR MY HEALTH BECAUSE THE EFFECTS STAYS WITH ME LONG AFTER I'M OUT OF THE CAR, MY BREATHING/CHEST JUST DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I'VE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THE CLAIM THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. HOWEVER I KNOW I SMELLED THEM BEFORE HAVING THE ABOVE MENTIONED WORK PERFORMED AND I STILL DO. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN/SHOULD DO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10593906
Incident
Nov 23, 2013
Airbags
Filed Sep 2, 2013

THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND "PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED" LIGHT ARE ON ALL THE TIME. IT ORIGINALLY APPEARED TO BE DUE TO THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR THAT DISABLES THE RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG WHEN IT DETECTS A WEIGHT UNDER A CERTAIN LIMIT (E.G., SO THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED IF A CHILD'S CAR SEAT IS THERE). THE WAY WE CAME TO ASSUME THAT IT MIGHT BE THE SENSOR WAS IF THE PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD HOP AROUND OR MOVE AROUND THE SEAT AND THE LIGHT MIGHT EVENTUALLY GO OUT. SOMETIMES TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR WOULD CAUSE THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF. SOMETIME IT SEEMED THE PASSENGER COULD PUT-ON, TAKE-OFF, PUT-ON THE SEAT BELT AND THAT MIGHT WORK. BUT NOW IT'S ON ALL THE TIME NO MATTER WHAT (THE CAR IS AT 90,000 MILES). IT WAS INTERMITTENT STARTING AROUND 10,000. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CAR'S BATTERY - THE THEORY BEING THAT PERHAPS THE OLD BATTERY DIDN'T PROVIDE ENOUGH CURRENT (WHICH DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE SINCE THE BATTERY ISN'T PROVIDING POWER WHILE THE ENGINE IS ON...). BUT BY AROUND 30,000 MILES, THE LIGHT STARTED STAYING ON ALL THE TIME. *JS

NHTSA ID
10538346
Incident
Sep 1, 2007
Mileage
30,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 4, 2013

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON.VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE RENO AND FORENZA. THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH SEAT SENSORS/WIRING AND CLOCKSPRINGS. SUZUKI HAS LONG KNOWN OF THE PROBLEM ,BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAVE ISSUED A RECALL ON THE XL7 AND GRAND VITARA FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO READ OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THESE VEHICLES W/ INJURIES IN WHICH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SUZUKI NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ADDRESS THIS COSTLY/SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10515001
Incident
May 15, 2013
Mileage
99,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SUZ_016008

STRUCTURE; SUSPENSION

Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.

N-Q-G-045

EQUIPMENT; SUSPENSION

This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.

SUZ_013175

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; SEATS

THIS SERVICE BULLETIN UPDATES A BULLETIN ORIGINALLY ISSUED ON MAY 18, 2016, CONCERNING A SPECIAL WARRANTY EXTENSION (ZH) FOR 2005-2008 SUZUKI FORENZA AND SUZUKI RENO VEHICLES. THE UPDATES ARE: (1) THE EXISTENCE OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B1379 IS ADDED TO THE LIST OF DTCS THAT MAKE A VEHICLE ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR UNDER SPECIAL WARRANTY EXTENSION ZH; AND (2) THE PROCEDURE FOR INSPECTING THE SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTER FOR DAMAGE HAS BEEN CLARIFIED.

TS-30-06263

ENGINE

SUZUKI: SUZUKI HAS REPLACEMENT OIL PUMPS THAT HAVE A THREADED PLUG. THE THREADED PROVES TO BE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE WITHOUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE NEW OIL PUMP. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES PROCEDURES WHEN REPLACING THE OLD OIL PUMP. *JS

TS0601238

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

REQUIRED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION PROCEDURE. MY 2004-2008 FORENZ SEDAN/WAGON, RENO (RQ420). *NJ

TS0501158

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

AIRBAG LIGHT ON; DTC B1378 (DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG RESISTANCE TOO HIGH) AND/OR DTC B1382 (PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG RESISTANCE TOO HIGH). FORENZA, SEDAN/WAGON, RENO (RQ420) 2005-2006. VIN(S) -6K425022. *NJ

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Suzuki Reno by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008231042.4
2007552047.4
2006634050.5
2005Viewing323045.8
2004010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.