NHTSA — Power Train Problems

2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,214 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Suzuki Reno drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2006 Suzuki Reno Owner Comments

problem #16

Jan 122019

Reno

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #15

Mar 312016

Reno

  • 146,000 miles
I currently had my transmission go out. It did not show any signs of going out and and just kind of died today.

- Lee's Summit, MO, USA

problem #14

Jun 082015

Reno

  • 88,000 miles
Car will go from drive to neutral while driving and it has been happening for 2 weeks off and on it comes and goes.I has happened while on a bridge, going up a hill, and as driving on the highway.

- Charleroi, PA, USA

problem #13

May 242009

Reno

  • 15,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Reno. The contact stated when moving from an idle position, the vehicle would shift to a higher gear independently causing the vehicle to rev excessively. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician stated the transmission safety switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 15,000 and the current mileage was 96,000.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

problem #12

Apr 242014

Reno

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Reno. The contact stated that the vehicle independently changed gears while driving. The malfunction indicator light illuminated on the instrument panel after the failure occurred. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage 43,000.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

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problem #11

Nov 132013

Reno

  • 93,122 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Reno. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle exhibited a violent jerking motion as the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled shortly after being started. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where the vehicle was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 93,122.

- Macdonough, GA, USA

problem #10

Nov 102012

Reno

  • 52,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Reno. The contact stated that while shifting from park to drive, the vehicle experienced a violent jerking motion. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled shortly after being started. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 52,000.

- West Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #9

Oct 242012

Reno

  • 85,000 miles
I bought my 2006 Suzuki Reno in 2008 with approx. 41000 miles on it. My car is currently approx. 90000 miles but the issue started happening around the 83000 mile mark. I was on the highway when all of a sudden, it felt like my car shifted into neutral while driving and went from 70mph to 30mph almost immediately. After that first instance, the car continually bangs into gear from park to reverse. It drives fine for a few minutes but then it continues to erratically shift into neutral while driving. Researched online about problem and seems numerous others have the exact same issue with Renos as well as forenzas. Transmission range sensor faulty. Please recall, it is extremely dangerous.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #8

Nov 212012

Reno

  • 71,000 miles
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. Also when the car gets stuck in 3rd gear it is very dangerous to pull out onto a road as you can barely accelerate fast enough to avoid oncoming traffic. The sensor will be replaced tonight when I get home but these cars should not be having these problems and according to the mechanics at Suzuki they see this problem all the time. I understand that parts break and cars have to be repaired, but this is something that is so poorly engineered that it is putting the occupants in the car as well as other people in danger. Some people have had to replace their trs over 7 times and Suzuki has yet to issue a recall.

- Taylorsville, UT, USA

problem #7

Nov 152008

Reno 4-cyl

  • 15,000 miles
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. Each time they've said they have fixed the car but it comes back up. Now we're at a loss as the extended warranty we purchased has expired and we can no longer afford to spend more money on this vehicle. We've searched countless records online with others stating the same issue. We've brought this vehicle to third party mechanics to see what they can find but no one will touch the vehicle. The dealership local to us has all the records of it and can provide them.

- West Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #6

Jan 082007

Reno 4-cyl

  • 15,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle has had the transmission range sensor fail at least 5 times.

- Robbinsville, NJ, USA

problem #5

Mar 182010

Reno

  • 30,000 miles
My wife has bought this car brand new and seems like its going to be on its third trans and it only has 67000 miles on it. The cars engine lite comes on steady and drives fine for a little bit but after a while the light starts flashing and the car idles rough, goes 0-60 in christmas to next thanksgiving then will not shift correctly. It feels like it is taking off in third gear every time. When it finally gets going it shifts in the 5-7000 RPM range. We have taken it to the shop the first time and they said it was a sensor. They changed the sensor and still the same so they changed the trans at only under 30000 miles. Two days later and 12 miles down the road, the same thing occurs. We took it back to the dealer and they said there is nothing wrong with the car and that we will have to drive it. I have tried to email other dealers and noone will touch it. Now it is doing the same exact thing except the car will just not hardly move. It seems to be fouling out the plugs. I pulled them and they are all covered in fuel. It now feels like its the timing belt that slipped a tooth. Suzuki should stick with making bikes and not cars and maybe have better customer assistance. I am at lost for words or knowledge as to what to do. I feel that we shouldn't have to pay for repairs on something that should be recalled most definitely. It is highly dangerous and shouldn't be on the road. There has been instances where im about to turn left and the car looses power half way through the turn. Please do something about this death trap. My wife totes around other kids in this car for her job. Thank you

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #4

Dec 222011

Reno

  • 90,758 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Reno. The contact was driving 70 mph when the vehicle erroneously slipped into neutral without warning. The check engine warning light was also illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that the transmission range sensor failed and needed replacement. No repairs were performed. The current and the failure mileages were 90,758.

- Dundolk, MD, USA

problem #3

May 132011

Reno 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
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.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #2

Sep 202011

Reno 4-cyl

  • 73,538 miles
Transmission range sensor (also known as trs), check engine light came the code said transmission range problem the next day when shifting the car into reverse and drive there was a very loud clunk and while driving down the street the car dropped into neutral and I couldn't move the car anymore, this is a problem that is more than extremely common on the 2006 and 2007 Reno and forenza but the company will not recall or cover under power train warranty even though the failure prevents the power train from working correctly.

- Greensburg, PA, USA

problem #1

Oct 152010

Reno

  • 98,000 miles
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 this has been happening for over 2 months now, and the problems surfaces at least 3 times per week. After driving the vehicle back home and letting it sit for a while, the cel (check engine light) turns itself off and the transmission seems to do fine. The first occurance of it this weekend happened while driving 70+ mph on an interstate highway and caused the vehicle to jerk when the gears suddenly changed.

- Hampstead, NC, USA

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