Most common 2005 Suzuki Reno problems
Share of the 32 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Suzuki Reno complaints by model year
Best Reno years: 2008, 2005. Years to avoid: 2006, 2007. Compare all years →
2005 Suzuki Reno recalls (3)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
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.
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…
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.
Exterior lighting
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.
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;.
What 2005 Suzuki Reno owners say
Air bags
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 got my car in May, 2006. It was brand new when I bought it, but it was in the shop only six days after. I began to notice that my car would jerk when it was shifting gears (although it was an automatic). Over about a week's time, it got much worse and I had to bring it in for repairs. I was told that the transmission had not been updated. I brought it back three more times with the same problem. The 4th time I brought it back, it was so bad that not only was it jerking while shifting, but while staying at a steady speed as well. Finally, my check engine light came on because my transmission was bad. At the same time, my passengers side airbag sensor was not working. I would sit in the seat and the light would come on saying "passengers airbag off." I brought it back more than 4 times for both the airbag and transmission. …
Lights
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Suzuki Reno. While driving between 30 to 40 MPH on a dark back road, the headlights failed. Upon further inspection he saw smoke coming the instrument control panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and he was advised that his vehicle was previously repaired according to recall number 07V452000 (exterior lighting). He then added that any repairs made would be at the owners expense. The failure mileage was 92,000.
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.. …
Transmission & drivetrain
I got my car in May, 2006. It was brand new when I bought it, but it was in the shop only six days after. I began to notice that my car would jerk when it was shifting gears (although it was an automatic). Over about a week's time, it got much worse and I had to bring it in for repairs. I was told that the transmission had not been updated. I brought it back three more times with the same problem. The 4th time I brought it back, it was so bad that not only was it jerking while shifting, but while staying at a steady speed as well. Finally, my check engine light came on because my transmission was bad. At the same time, my passengers side airbag sensor was not working. I would sit in the seat and the light would come on saying "passengers airbag off." I brought it back more than 4 times for both the airbag and transmission. …
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. …
2005 Suzuki Reno engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 28 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Suzuki Reno a good car?
Based on 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Reno rates better than average: 42% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Reno at the same age. It is one of the best Reno years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Suzuki Reno?
The air bags — 18 complaints, 56% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the lights (5) and transmission & drivetrain (4).
How many recalls does the 2005 Suzuki Reno have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2005 Suzuki Reno, the most recent from May 19, 2014 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Suzuki Reno?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2008 and 2005. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006 and 2007. See the full Suzuki Reno years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Suzuki Reno problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 42,000 miles; 59% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.