Suzuki RENO Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Suzuki RENO options? We analyzed 4 model years (2005–2008) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a Suzuki RENO? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Suzuki RENO has 173 owner complaints and 10 safety recalls across model years 2005–2008. The most reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. 2006 drew the most complaints; 2008 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Suzuki
- Model
- RENO
- Model years analyzed
- 2005–2008 (4 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 173
- Safety recall campaigns
- 10
- Crash-related complaints
- 8
- Fire-related complaints
- 7
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2006 (63 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2008 (23 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- POWER TRAIN
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Suzuki RENO: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe SUZUKI RENO has 173 NHTSA complaints and 10 recalls on record. 8 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 173 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 10 federal recall campaigns
- 8 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
10 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2005–2008. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 173 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
173 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
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.
THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. ALL THE TIME.
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.
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
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
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
Read 14 more owner reports
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
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
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. IT IS IRRITATING THAT WE CANNOT GET IT TO GO AWAY. EVEN WHEN RESETTING THE SYSTEM IT COMES BACK WITHIN HOURS. SUZUKI WILL NOT FIX UNLESS WE PAY. HAVE CHECKED THE CONNECTION UNDER THE SEATS AND MADE SURE THEY WERE NOT LOOSE. SUZUKI SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL EFFECTED VEHICLES. 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. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI RENO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V452000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND SINCE THE REPAIR, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Showing 20 of 173 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Suzuki RENO
These pages show model-year patterns across 4 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Suzuki RENO, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Suzuki RENO has 173 complaints on record across 4 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Suzuki RENO has 10 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 8 of the Suzuki RENO's 173 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Suzuki RENO vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Suzuki RENO vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Suzuki RENO has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Suzuki RENO by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Suzuki RENO.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Suzuki RENO reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Suzuki RENO reliable?
Poor. The Suzuki RENO has 173 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Suzuki RENO years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2006 (63 complaints), 2007 (55 complaints), 2005 (32 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Suzuki RENO problems?
Top reported issues: POWER TRAIN (66 complaints); AIR BAGS (48 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (31 complaints).
Does the Suzuki RENO have recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Suzuki RENO. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.