2006 Suzuki Reno Problems and Recalls (63 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2006 Suzuki Reno is Transmission / driveline (27% of 63 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 63 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 2006 Suzuki Reno?

17 of 63 filings named Transmission / driveline (27% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Lights (12 reports).

There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Seat belts, Electrical, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2005 has 30 reports on file; this year has 63. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2006 Suzuki Reno

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 4 campaigns on file below.
  2. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  3. Lights. Walk around the vehicle: headlights, brake lights and turn signals all working.
  4. Airbags. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Transmission / driveline 17 complaints · 27.0% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 4
  • Fires 3
  • Injuries 3
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 2005 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) appears in 17 of 63 owner complaints (27.0%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 17 complaints, 27.0% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 17 · 27.0% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 12 complaints, 19.1% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 12 · 19.1% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 10 complaints, 15.9% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 crash reports 10 · 15.9% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 5 complaints, 7.9% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 5 · 7.9% Engine (ENGINE): 4 complaints, 6.4% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 fire reports 4 · 6.4% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 4 complaints, 6.4% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 4 · 6.4% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 2 complaints, 3.2% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 2 · 3.2% Steering (STEERING): 2 complaints, 3.2% of reports Steering (STEERING) 1 crash reports 2 · 3.2% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 2 complaints, 3.2% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 2 · 3.2% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 15 complaints, 23.8% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 2 crash reports 15 · 23.8% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 17 27.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 12 19.1% 1 crashes · 1 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 10 15.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 5 7.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 4 6.4% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 4 6.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 2 3.2% 1 crashes · 1 fires
Steering (STEERING) 2 3.2% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 2 3.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 15 23.8% 2 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2006; the first recall shown was reported in Jul 2007. 2006-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2008-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2011-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2011-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2013-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2013-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jul 2006 Oct 2024 Recall campaign 07V315000 ◆ Recall campaign 07V315000 Recall campaign 07V452000 ◆ Recall campaign 07V452000 Recall campaign 12V397000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V397000 Recall campaign 14V262000 ◆ Recall campaign 14V262000
  • Campaign 12V397000 was reported 2,179 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 14V262000 was reported 2,693 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2006-Q3 Owner reports 3
2006-Q4 Owner reports 1
2007-Q1 Owner reports 1
2007-Q2 Owner reports 2
2007-Q3 Owner reports 1
2008-Q1 Owner reports 1
2008-Q2 Owner reports 2
2008-Q3 Owner reports 1
2008-Q4 Owner reports 1
2009-Q1 Owner reports 1
2009-Q4 Owner reports 2
2010-Q1 Owner reports 1
2010-Q2 Owner reports 2
2010-Q3 Owner reports 1
2010-Q4 Owner reports 2
2011-Q1 Owner reports 1
2011-Q2 Owner reports 1
2011-Q3 Owner reports 4
2011-Q4 Owner reports 2
2012-Q1 Owner reports 2
2012-Q2 Owner reports 2
2012-Q3 Owner reports 2
2012-Q4 Owner reports 5
2013-Q2 Owner reports 1
2013-Q3 Owner reports 4
2013-Q4 Owner reports 1
2014-Q1 Owner reports 1
2014-Q2 Owner reports 2
2014-Q3 Owner reports 2
2014-Q4 Owner reports 3
2015-Q2 Owner reports 2
2015-Q3 Owner reports 2
2016-Q1 Owner reports 1
2017-Q1 Owner reports 1
2019-Q1 Owner reports 1
2024-Q4 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 07V315000
Recall campaign 1 07V452000
Recall campaign 1 12V397000
Recall campaign 1 14V262000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (4)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Seat belts, Electrical, and Lights.

  1. Recall campaign 07V315000

    Seat belts

    Report date
    Component:
    Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
    Consequence:
    THESE BUCKLE MALFUNCTIONS, WHICH COULD PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THE SEAT BELT OR COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO FAIL TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED, CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES WITH THE IMPROVED PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 07V452000

    Safety recall 07V452000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 12V397000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 14V262000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 5 of 63 complaints · page 1 of 3
2024-10-31Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11623008
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I just bought a Used 2006 Suzuki Reno from a private seller 3 months ago. It has less then 53,000 miles on it so I thought I was getting a great deal. While driving it at night 3 weeks ago, I had my lights on high beam. A car was coming towards me so I flipped the light switch on my steering column. Which is also the blinker switch. And we almost wrecked head on with each other because when I flipped the switch to go to low beam there was no headlights. None whatsoever on low beam. I have driven on my street testing it to make sure it wasn't a 1 time thing. Or possibly my fault. If I have the low beam lights on when I first turn the lights on they work but go dimmer and dimmer as time goes by. And as soon as I flip the switch whether it's from High beam or low beam it's completely dark. No lights on low beam at all after flipping switch. But they work on high beam. I took it to my mechanic and he said there's a short/problem in the headlight switch/blinker switch on the steering column. I can't/don't drive it at night or anytime after 6pm to be safe. Also my mechanic has had to clear the driver side airbag light that has come on my dashboard 2 times. 1st time he thought it was because the service ingine light came on. He had to replace the cam shaft position sensor. Only a week later the airbag light came back on the dashboard. So off to the repair shop I went again, costing more money. He said he was able to clear it. But not for long. 3 days later it was back on. So I checked different options and took my car to a different repair shop. I was told then that this make and model car had issues with the airbag wire harness from the steering column all the way to how the wiring was ran to the front driver seat how it's to be connected under front driver seat. Causing damage to the airbag sensor & module. Son sold car to me after mom died. Told there's recalls for both, didn't know it or have done. 1 site said yes to car recalls another said no. ??? Help Please...
2019-01-13VISIBILITY
NHTSA ODI 11166698
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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). SEVERAL RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HEADLAMPS AND COMPONENTS THAT FACILITATE "LIGHT" ILLUMINATION FROM THE HEAD LAMPS. HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED TWICE WITH TIRE TYPE CHANGES RECENTLY, THE PULLING I FEEL CONSTANTLY ON THE ROAD... APPARENTLY NOT THE ALIGNMENT, BUT MORE INDICATIVE OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES. IF I CAN MANAGE TO GET THE CAR MOVING , TO START AND MOVE SAFELY, I WILL BE GETTING FLUID EXHCANGES FOR COOLANT SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION, AND THEN DIGEST SOME FEEDBACK FROM THOSE PROCEDURES, AND I MIGHT BE NEEDING TO GET THOSE AREAS FLUSHED AS WELL. THE ROADWAY DANGERS WHILE DRIVING WITH A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT RESPOND ACCORDING TO GENERAL EXPECTATIONS (PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND ENJOY AN INCREASE IN MOVEMENT SPEED, FOR INSTANCE). EVERYTHING REPORTED ABOUT THIS VEHICLE NOW BLARES LOUDLY AS WARNINGS, FIRE HAZARDS, AND GENERAL HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH FAILURE TO CONTROL SPEED, EVEN SAFETY BELT RESTRAINTS FAILING TO RESTRAIN "ANYTHING". SOMEHOW IT SEEMS LIKE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO RECALL THE CAR FOREVER.
2017-01-30Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
NHTSA ODI 10948492
CrashFireInjuryDeath
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR APRIL 6TH 2016 AND DRIVER SEATBELT BROKE RECENT.JANUARY 29 2017 BOTH LOWBEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT,THESE THINGS WERE RECALLED BUT THEY SAY MY VIN#DOESN'T MATCH RECALLS AND WON'T SERVICE OR HONOR THESE RECALLS! THANKS *TR
2016-03-31Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 10852827
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I CURRENTLY HAD MY TRANSMISSION GO OUT. IT DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF GOING OUT AND AND JUST KIND OF DIED TODAY.
2015-07-22Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 10735890
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 SUZUKI RENO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2006 Suzuki Reno?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 17 of 63 reports (27%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2006 Suzuki Reno?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Seat belts, Electrical, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2006 Suzuki Reno?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources