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2005 Suzuki Reno

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Suzuki Reno do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 32.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

22 reports with mileage · 10 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

32 reports
137,000 miles · Nov 19, 2012
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI RENO. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V397000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V452…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI RENO. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V397000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V452000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT IT WAS EXACTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO EITHER RECALL AND THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH ANY REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ODI #10485172

35,000 miles · Oct 15, 2012
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO SUZUKI SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO REPAIR IT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON SUZUKI RENOS AND FORENZAS (RENO AND FORENZA ARE THE HATCHBACK AND SEDAN VERSIONS OF THE SAME CAR). THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT SUZUKI SEEMS INCAPABLE OF …

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THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO SUZUKI SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO REPAIR IT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON SUZUKI RENOS AND FORENZAS (RENO AND FORENZA ARE THE HATCHBACK AND SEDAN VERSIONS OF THE SAME CAR). THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT SUZUKI SEEMS INCAPABLE OF FIXING THE PROBLEM. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT BEING ON ALL THE TIME MEANS THE AIRBAG WILL EITHER NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD, WHICH COULD LEAD TO DEATH OR INJURY OR COULD DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULDN'T WHICH COULD ALSO LEAD TO DEATH OR INJURY. THIS NEEDS TO BE MADE FROM A TSB INTO A NON VOLUNTARY RE-CALL FOR SUZUKI, BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480616

35,000 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Air Bags

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. TOOK IT BACK TO SUZUKI WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THEY REPAIRED IT AND WITHIN A WEEK IT CAME BACK ON. BROUGHT BACK SEVERAL MORE TIMES, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERMANENTLY FIX IT. WAS TOLD "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON SUZUKI RENOS. THE SENSOR UNDER THE SEAT IS THE PR…

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AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. TOOK IT BACK TO SUZUKI WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THEY REPAIRED IT AND WITHIN A WEEK IT CAME BACK ON. BROUGHT BACK SEVERAL MORE TIMES, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERMANENTLY FIX IT. WAS TOLD "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON SUZUKI RENOS. THE SENSOR UNDER THE SEAT IS THE PROBLEM" BY SUZUKI MECHANIC. HAVE CHECKED AND IT DOES APPEAR TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. IF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON IT MEANS THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL COLLISION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO DEATH OR INJURY FOR THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475575

63,000 miles · May 5, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING EARLY IN THE EVENING AND DRIVING IN A WELL LIT 15 MPH ZONE JUST AFTER DUSK. PEOPLE ON THE SIDEWALK STARTED POINTING AT MY CAR. WHEN I TURNED UP THE SIDE STREET I REALIZED I HAD NO HEADLIGHTS! I FOUND OUT THAT MY HIGH BEAMS STILL WORKED AND I DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED FO…

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I WAS DRIVING EARLY IN THE EVENING AND DRIVING IN A WELL LIT 15 MPH ZONE JUST AFTER DUSK. PEOPLE ON THE SIDEWALK STARTED POINTING AT MY CAR. WHEN I TURNED UP THE SIDE STREET I REALIZED I HAD NO HEADLIGHTS! I FOUND OUT THAT MY HIGH BEAMS STILL WORKED AND I DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED FOR FUSES, RELAYS, AND BULBS BY MY MECHANIC. I WAS TOLD IT WAS IN THE WIRING. I CAME HOME AND CHECKED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A POTENTIAL CRASH! THE AMERICAN SUZUKI COMPANY WILL NOT HONOR THIS RECALL. THIS CAR WAS NOT SOLD IN HAWAII, BUT WAS SHIPPED HERE FROM CALIFORNIA FROM THE PERSON I BOUGHT IT FROM IN 2005. NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR IT, AND I HAVE TO FIND MY OWN ASE MECHANIC THAT IS WILLING TO HAVE INSTRUCTIONS FAXED TO THEM IF THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.. ON TOP OF THAT, THEY ARE ONLY WILLING TO PAY $68.00....WHICH I AM SURE WILL NOT COVER THE LABOR FOR THIS PROCEDURE. I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR.. WHAT DO I DO NEXT? I NEED MY HEADLIGHTS FIXED! PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457545

25,000 miles · Apr 19, 2012
Air Bags

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN CAR WAS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD. HAD IT RESET AT DEALERSHIP, CAME BACK ON WITHIN HOURS. CALLED BACK AND WAS TOLD IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON SUZUKI RENOS AND FORENZAS. AI BAG LIGHT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. SUZUKI WILL NOT FIX EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON IT. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SER…

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AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN CAR WAS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD. HAD IT RESET AT DEALERSHIP, CAME BACK ON WITHIN HOURS. CALLED BACK AND WAS TOLD IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON SUZUKI RENOS AND FORENZAS. AI BAG LIGHT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. SUZUKI WILL NOT FIX EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON IT. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. IF THE CAR IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. I BELIEVE THAT SUZUKI SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL CARS IMPACTED AND REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ARISING FROM A DESIGN OR PRODUCTION FLAW, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR, BEFORE SOMEONE HAS AN ACCIDENT AND IS KILLED BECAUSE THE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY. BULLETIN NO: TS0501158 DATE OF BULLETIN: 03/20/2008 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: 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 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455781

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2012
Air Bags

I WAS DRIVING TOO SCHOOL AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT JUST TURNED ON. TIL THIS DAY THE LIGHT HAS NOT TURNED OFF HAVEN'T WENT TO SUZUKI TO GO CHECK THIS OUT, THIS CAR IS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442244

183,356 miles · Dec 29, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I WENT TO GO GET MY CAR CHECKED OUT AT A LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE. TURNED ON MY CAR AND WHEN I WAS ON DRIVE IT WAS SHOWING SOMETHING WEIRD ON IT WHEN I PUT IT ON DIFFERENT GEARS THEY WOULD NOT GO IN ORDER. SUCH AS IF IT WAS IN PARK IT WOULD SHOW A D FOR DRIVE OR IF IT WAS IN REVERSE IT WOULD SHOW 3RD GEAR AND SO ON. WHENEVER I WOU…

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I WENT TO GO GET MY CAR CHECKED OUT AT A LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE. TURNED ON MY CAR AND WHEN I WAS ON DRIVE IT WAS SHOWING SOMETHING WEIRD ON IT WHEN I PUT IT ON DIFFERENT GEARS THEY WOULD NOT GO IN ORDER. SUCH AS IF IT WAS IN PARK IT WOULD SHOW A D FOR DRIVE OR IF IT WAS IN REVERSE IT WOULD SHOW 3RD GEAR AND SO ON. WHENEVER I WOULD CHANGE GEARS IT WOULD KICK REALLY NASTY AND SHAKE ALOT AND I WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THE GAS JUST SO I COULD MOVE. THE EMPLOYEE THEN USED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DEVICE AND I HAD AN O2 SENSOR ISSUE AND A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR ISSUE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441695

25,000 miles · May 11, 2011
Air Bags

THE AIR BAGS FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE DEFECTIVE. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND INTERMITTENTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAVE BEEN SINCE THE CAR HAD ABOUT 20K MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED IT WAS RESET ONLY TO LIGHT UP AGAIN AFTER A FEW MILES. I WENT BACK AND THEY SAID THEY COULD RESET…

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THE AIR BAGS FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE DEFECTIVE. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND INTERMITTENTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAVE BEEN SINCE THE CAR HAD ABOUT 20K MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED IT WAS RESET ONLY TO LIGHT UP AGAIN AFTER A FEW MILES. I WENT BACK AND THEY SAID THEY COULD RESET IT, BUT IT WOULD ONLY COME BACK ON AGAIN IN A FEW MILES. SUZUKI AMERICA IS AWARE THAT THE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS SENSORS, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL SUZUKI RENOS AND SUZUKI FORENZAS. I HAVE READ SEVERAL REPORTS OF SUZUKI FORENZAS AND RENOS (THE HATCH BACK VERSION OF THE FORENZA) THAT HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS WHERE THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT BECAUSE OF THIS AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. I WOULD LIKE SUZUKI TO BE FORCED TO RE-CALL ALL SUZUKI FORENZAS AND RENOS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399966

48,436 miles · Apr 18, 2011
Air Bags

2005 SUZUKI RENO, AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON SHORTLY AFTER NUMEROUS REPAIRS. PURCHASED CAR USED WITH 43,436 MILES FROM CLASSIC DEALER SHIP IN MENTOR , OHIO. THEY ALSO TOOK CAR TO SUZUKI TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR BEFORE I TOOK DELIVERY, AND THEN AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND FROM …

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2005 SUZUKI RENO, AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON SHORTLY AFTER NUMEROUS REPAIRS. PURCHASED CAR USED WITH 43,436 MILES FROM CLASSIC DEALER SHIP IN MENTOR , OHIO. THEY ALSO TOOK CAR TO SUZUKI TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR BEFORE I TOOK DELIVERY, AND THEN AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A ACCIDENT? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396645

30,000 miles · Dec 13, 2010
Air Bags

I HAVE A 2005 SUZUKI RENO. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO SUZUKI WHO ADMITS THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS FAULT BUT HAVE SAID TO ME THAT THEY REPAIR IT AND WITHIN A FEW MILES THE FAULT RETURNS. THIS PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT DANGER OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT …

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I HAVE A 2005 SUZUKI RENO. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO SUZUKI WHO ADMITS THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS FAULT BUT HAVE SAID TO ME THAT THEY REPAIR IT AND WITHIN A FEW MILES THE FAULT RETURNS. THIS PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT DANGER OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AS THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR MAY DEPLOY FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT BY VIRTUE OF A TSB, SUZUKI HAS SEEN AS A PROBLEM ON SUZUKI, RENO AND FORENZA MODELS, BUT WHICH THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR AT THEIR COST. ALTHOUGH I HAVE PUT IN A DATE OF 12/01/10 FOR THE INCIDENT DATE THEIR IS ACTUALLY NO DATE AS SUCH AS THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT. THERE IS HOWEVER SIGNIFICANT DANGER OF INJURY AS A DIRECT CAUSE OF THE FAULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370349

Official recalls

3

14V262000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

May 19, 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 may be generated in the headlamp switch or daytime running light (DRL) module which could melt the headlamp switch or the DRL module.

Consequence & remedy

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.

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.

12V397000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash; Exterior Lighting:headlights

Aug 14, 2012

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:headlights

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.

Consequence: If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

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.

Consequence: If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

07V452000 · Exterior Lighting

Sep 25, 2007

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INAPPROPRIATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLES AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.