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2008 Suzuki Reno

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 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

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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

20 reports with mileage · 3 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

23 reports
88 miles · Oct 24, 2013
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 SUZUKI RENO ON THE ROAD ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN DESPITE ME TRYING TO GIVE IT GAS, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. I PULLED OVER AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF FOR A MOMENT. I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT BACK …

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 SUZUKI RENO ON THE ROAD ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN DESPITE ME TRYING TO GIVE IT GAS, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. I PULLED OVER AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF FOR A MOMENT. I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE, MY CAR JOLTED AND AN X APPEARED OVER THE D WHERE THE GEARS ARE LOCATED. FRIGHTENED, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AGAIN AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN. THEY EXPLAINED IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR IS GOING TO COST ME $200 TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WONT COVER IT. I HIGHLY BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE COVER OR DO A RECALL ON IT.I GIVE THANKS TO GOD I WASN'T INJURED OR I INJURE SOME ONE ELSE PLEASE TAKE ME TO CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549416

62,000 miles · May 28, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI RENO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED A WHINING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI RENO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED A WHINING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513888

30,000 miles · Apr 27, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train

DRIVING AT 50MPH AND THE CAR JOLTS INTO 4TH GEAR AND STAYS THERE. MAKING ANY TAKE OFF FROM STOP TERRIBLE. IT MUST BE VERY HARD ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THE POWER TRAIN. I HAVE REPLACE THIS PART TWICE NOW AND IT STILL CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. A RECALL IS NEEDED SEVERELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509761

47,208 miles · Apr 17, 2013
Power Train

PULLING OUT AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR HAD NO POWER LIKE IT STOPPED WORKING OR WAS OUT OF GEAR HESITATION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TRANSMISSION CODE P0705. HAD IT REPLACED AT A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. SAME PROBLEM AGAIN 3/28/2013 GIVEN A REPLACEMENT PART FREE. SAME PROBLEM AGAIN 4/15/2013 GOING TO SUZUKI 4/18/2013 FOR…

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PULLING OUT AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR HAD NO POWER LIKE IT STOPPED WORKING OR WAS OUT OF GEAR HESITATION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TRANSMISSION CODE P0705. HAD IT REPLACED AT A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. SAME PROBLEM AGAIN 3/28/2013 GIVEN A REPLACEMENT PART FREE. SAME PROBLEM AGAIN 4/15/2013 GOING TO SUZUKI 4/18/2013 FOR THEM TO CHECK THE CAR. STRESSING ME OUT, I HOPE I DON'T GET KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS LOSS OF POWER. I GUESS I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS CONTINUING PROBLEM WHICH I DON'T SEE WHY THEY DIDN'T DO A RECALL WHEN THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AS WELL AS OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508501

55,160 miles · Mar 5, 2013
Power Train

OCCASIONALLY, WHEN STARTING MY VEHICLE, I WILL NOTICE THAT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT IS ON. WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, IT SLAMS INTO GEAR. WHEN GOING TO DRIVE, IT ALSO SLAMS INTO GEAR. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS NOT PART OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. IT IS THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECT…

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OCCASIONALLY, WHEN STARTING MY VEHICLE, I WILL NOTICE THAT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT IS ON. WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, IT SLAMS INTO GEAR. WHEN GOING TO DRIVE, IT ALSO SLAMS INTO GEAR. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS NOT PART OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. IT IS THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECTOR SENSOR THAT IS BAD, AND AS SUCH, IS NOT COVERED BY THE DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OFF AND ON FOR MONTHS, AND BY THE TIME I CAN GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE ISSUE HAS RESOLVED IT'S SELF. NOW, THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO REPLACE A FAULTY PART ON THE VEHICLE, THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD AS WELL. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, TO ME, AS I DID NOT DAMAGE THE PART, IT WAS FAULTY TO BEGIN WITH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501349

38,000 miles · Jun 28, 2012
EnginePower Train

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING 50 MPHS THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON LOSES ALL POWER GOES INTO LUMP HOME MODE. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. 3 MONTHS LATER LIGHT COMES BACK ON TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THIS TIME IT IS THE SAME THING THEY DID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND REPLACED THE SENSOR AGAIN. 3…

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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING 50 MPHS THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON LOSES ALL POWER GOES INTO LUMP HOME MODE. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. 3 MONTHS LATER LIGHT COMES BACK ON TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THIS TIME IT IS THE SAME THING THEY DID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND REPLACED THE SENSOR AGAIN. 3 MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN THIS TIME ITS THE THROTTLE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. IT KEEPS DOING THE SAME THING EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. EXPENSIVE FIX EVERYTIME. I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT DOESN'T HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463490

35,000 miles · Apr 1, 2012
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THIS WILL COST + OR - 250.00. THE CAR IS STILL COVERED BY THE 100,000 MILE 10 YEAR WARRANTY AND HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON SUZUKI RENO…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THIS WILL COST + OR - 250.00. THE CAR IS STILL COVERED BY THE 100,000 MILE 10 YEAR WARRANTY AND HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON SUZUKI RENOS AND FORENZAS. . . IS THIS A DEFECTIVE PART. IT IS DANGEROUS- *TR

NHTSA ODI #10453717

70,000 miles · Feb 18, 2012
Air BagsVehicle Speed Control

MY 2008 SUZUKI RENO HAS OVER 100,000 MILES AND I FIRST EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS SOMETIME IN JUNE 2010 ONLY A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT IT. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST THAT THE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE TROUBLE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP (LIKE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT) AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER THAT THE SYMPTOMS GOT INCREASINGLY WORSE. IT WOUL…

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MY 2008 SUZUKI RENO HAS OVER 100,000 MILES AND I FIRST EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS SOMETIME IN JUNE 2010 ONLY A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT IT. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST THAT THE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE TROUBLE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP (LIKE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT) AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER THAT THE SYMPTOMS GOT INCREASINGLY WORSE. IT WOULD INTIALLY HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED ABOVE, THEN IT WOULD GET BETTER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF. THEN I STARTED GETTING THE PERIODIC CLUNK AND SCRAMBLED GEAR DISPLAY LIKE ALL THE GEARS WITH A LINE THRU IT ON THE DASH. I TOLD MY HUSBAND WHO CAN WORK ON OLDER MODEL CARS AND HE DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK WITH NO PROBLEM, THEN HE WAS IN THE CAR WITH MY GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND IT DID IT AND ALMOST MADE THE CAR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM ALMOST 70MPH WITH VEHICLES BEHIND US. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I GOT IT AND THEY SAID THAT IF THE LIGHT WASN'T STAYING ON ALL THE TIME, THEN THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO DO BUT THAT IT DIDN'T SOUND LIKE IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 RENO SINCE IT REACHED 70,000 MILES. I'VE KEPT UP ON MY MAINTENANCE. ALSO BOTH OF MY AIRBAG LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME, THE PASSENGER LIGHT STAYS ON AS IF NO ONE IS SITTING IN IT EVEN WITH A 200 POUND PERSON SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE CAR HASN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS TO MAKE THEM NOT READ RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448399

30,335 miles · Jan 9, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI RENO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UPHILL AT 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE TCM WAS FAULTY. THE TCM WAS REPLACED BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,335.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI RENO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UPHILL AT 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE TCM WAS FAULTY. THE TCM WAS REPLACED BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,335.

NHTSA ODI #10442902

55,000 miles · Dec 30, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. THE ELECTRONIC D STARTS FLASHING AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS N OVER THE D ON THE DASH. THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE UNLESS I DOWN SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AND THE POWER TRAIN IS AUTOMATIC. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441806

Official recalls

1

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.

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.