Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Suzuki Reno owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a 2006, Reno with around 52K miles on it. In trying to go up a small hill, the car started to lose it's ability to accelerate. Once I reached the top it was better, but then indicated on the dashboard a d with a slash through it. My car then would still have difficulty accelerating. In coming to a stop then trying to accelerate to turn a corner it continued to have difficulty accelerating. The car then begins to lose power. The check engine light would come on and stay on. It would then go off and within a few days come right back on. Before the check engine light would come on, the car would jolt then have the override (d with a slash) on the dashboard. I then have to place the car on park (each gear giving a jolt to the car), turn it off and then restart the car to hope it accelerates like it should. I am told the transmission range sensor is the problem. …
Intermittent issue with the check engine light coming on and the rpms would reach higher points even while idling. During normal drives the unit would start revving when it was to switching over to another gear and after the issue the check engine light comes on and the car has problems accelerating. Sometimes on start up a similar issue appears and after the revving ends it slowly goes back to normal rpms but having a hard time accelerating. We've taking it to the dealership and they've replaced parts and have held the vehicle plenty of times to fix the issue but it goes away and comes right back. Each time we've brought it in it either goes away from a reset and never comes back or goes away before they can inspect it. Occasionally we were capable of bringing the car with the issue and the error code differentiates from one another. …
For several weeks my car has been clunking into reverse and drive and getting stuck in 3rd gear while driving. I went to Suzuki and bought the transmission range sensor which is what is faulty. The Suzuki dealer was really surprised that we had 71000 miles on the car and had not had a problem yet (they know its a problem) I have not had a chance to change the sensor yet but my wife was driving the car today and when put into reverse the car went forward instead. Luckily there was only a curb that she hit but she could have hit a car or a person. She had to stop somewhere on the way home and had another problem in another parking lot where she shifted into reverse and instead of going forward the car shot out of the stall without her even touching the gas pedal. Again she did not hit anyone but how long will Suzuki let this happen before someone is killed. …
Transmission slippage, failure to properly engage wheels/gears and accelerate the vehicle. Sometimes results in no movement; or it results in movement only at a specific speed and only shutting the vehicle off or keeping the brake applied will stop the vehicle. The vehicle appears to be creeping forward w/o any fuel released. Other issues: seat belt locking does not remain locked. Repeatedly. The vehicle is dangerous. Also, the wiper fluid fails to make contact with the windshield. Extremely poor visibility. No fluid spraying onto the windshields. Washer pump works fine, fluid enters the lines, it just doesn't come out of the spouts and there are no leaks. Brand new battery... Seems almost dead today. Heater... The ice cold air outside is now circulating inside, full blast 30 - 40 minutes, no heat. Headlamp bulbs just changed (again). …
The car while driving feels like it jerks out of gear for a few seconds into neutral. When it jerks, the gas pedal doesn't work. I lose acceleration. This is dangerous because I could get rear-ended when losing speed so fast. When it does this at least 5 or six times during a trip. We took the car for diagnostic at goss Suzuki but they couldn't get an error code to find the cause. They said it might be the transmission range switch. They said they couldn't fix anything until they knew exactly the cause. Now the engine light came on and the car is worse. I was at atm today (11/4/2010) when I was about to drive off, the car was in drive, but the car wouldn't move when I pressed the gas. It was like the car was still in park. I had to put the car back in park, turn the car off/on then put it back in drive for it to start moving. …
Repeated failure of the transmission range sensor affecting acceleration and transmission response while stopping/starting and steady driving. When the vehicle is taken out of park and placed in any forwards gears or reverse, the transmission makes a loud "bang" sound and jerks. When accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle takes at least a mile to reach highway speed and when stopping it seems as if the transmission remains completely in gear and does not allow the vehicle to slow down correctly. No parts have been replaced at this time as the manufacturer sees this item as not being part of the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, and some ball park estimates to have the delaer replace this part is over 300.00 this has been happening for over 2 months now, and the problems surfaces at least 3 times per week. …
Own a 06 Reno with 50K miles on it. Just recently while driving in average normal traffic about 45 to 50 MPH the transmission indicator would start flashing and the MIL light would come on. During this time any change in PRNDL would cause loud and harsh shifting as well as severely decreased acceleration ability, almost as if it was flooding. Eventually the MIL light would go off or stay on and transmission function would return to normal. This would only last maybe a few hours and then whole scenario would repeat itself. My research has LED me to believe it is the transmission range sensor. A problem a lot of Reno owners seem to be experiencing. This is potentially a dangerous situation if for example you come to a stop just before trying to merge into highway traffic and your transmission suddenly starts malfunctioning and your ability to accelerate suddenly disappears. …
While driving up a hill or accelerating from a stop, the car feels like it slips into neutral and the rpms race. If I let up from the accelerator for a few seconds it will resume normal driving. Mechanic suggests it is either the transmission range sensor or the clutch piston. This is very dangerous as I lose speed rapidly and the roads I travel most do not have enough shoulder to pull over safely. Nearest Suzuki repair shop is over an hour away and I don't feel safe in trying to drive it that far. They told me it would not be covered by the 100,000 mile warranty. Other issues with this car: in 2 years I have replace all headlight bulbs 4 times, brakes replaced, and paint is wearing off handles. The transmission is 'sealed' so that the average person/repair shop can't work on them or even check the transmission fluid level (no dip stick).
The transmission range sensor went out the first time.as many others have described, when it happens, the car clunks, and then it feels as if the car won't engage in a gear. I took it to a mechanic, a transmission specialist, and it had to be replaced. A couple months later, the same thing happened so I took it back to the mechanic and he fixed it. A month later, it seemed like it was the same symptoms and took it back to the mechanic. This time, however, he said it was no longer the transmission range, but now it was that the computer was not reading the sensor to tell the car what gear it is on and the only place that could fix it was the Suzuki dealership. A lot of other people have experienced the same problem and Suzuki needs to make a recall on that part as soon as possible.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Reno. The contact started the vehicle and placed it in drive, but the vehicle would not move. A few seconds later, the vehicle accelerated. The check engine light illuminated. She checked the manual and had the vehicle inspected. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle performed as if it would shut off. The diagnostic test indicated that the range sensor needed to be replaced. The dealer performed the repair. After the vehicle was retrieved, the failure recurred within a couple of days. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and was taken back to the dealer. The range sensor was replaced a second time, but the failure continued. The current mileage was 25,000 and failure mileage was 24,800.
Transmission complaints in other Reno years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Suzuki Reno?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Suzuki Reno, 38% of the model year's 63 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Suzuki Reno transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2006 Suzuki Reno, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Suzuki Reno transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 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.