2008 Suzuki Reno problems & reliability
23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Suzuki Reno, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2008 Suzuki Reno vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes with 2 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 12 | 52% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 26% |
| Engine | 5 | 22% |
| Electrical System | 4 | 17% |
| Air Bags | 3 | 13% |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 4% |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 4% |
| Steering | 1 | 4% |
| Unknown OR Other | 1 | 4% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“I'm having issues with the range sensor on my 2008 suzuki reno. I replaced it last year with a new one and failed july 2016. I replaced it with a new one. Now its late november and again problems with the range sensor again!!!!!!!!! After relacing it with a new one in july 2017 that's 4 months after and I need to…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Nov 27, 2017
“A couple days ago the timing belt broke on my gm-daewoo 2008 suzuki reno. The vehicle only has just under 130,000 thousand and has been vary well maintained. The belt had been replaced before with a gates timing belt at about 100,000 I believe. Therefore meaning the belt broke with just under 30,000 thousand miles on…”
Engine · filed Apr 17, 2017
“I took my car in to find out why the airbag light for the passenger side was on by the clock and on my dash. Come to find out the part that I need to fix it is hard to find and that the part is also bad. In order to fix my problem it will cost me $2500 to fix it. So I think I will wait till it gets recalled along with…”
Air Bags · filed Jul 8, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
10 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Suzuki Reno.
Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.
SUZ_016008 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 8, 2022
This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints…
N-Q-G-045 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2018
This service bulletin updates a bulletin originally issued on may 18, 2016, concerning a special warranty extension (zh) for 2005-2008 suzuki forenza and suzuki reno vehicles. The updates are: (1) the existence of…
SUZ_013175 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 18, 2016
Suzuki: suzuki has replacement oil pumps that have a threaded plug. The threaded proves to be difficult to remove without causing damage to the new oil pump. This bulletin provides procedures when replacing the old oil…
TS-30-06263 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 8, 2013
Suzuki vehicle: counter measure procedure for dtc p2135. Mil light is on; dtc p2135 stored without fully checking system and circuits after repairs and/or replacement to throttle body. *pe
TB-22-02041R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2011
Suzuki vehicles: counter measure procedure for dtc p2138. Mil light is on, dtc p2138 stored. Failure of the connector and/or wiring circuits between the ecm and the accelerator pedal position sensor. Models forenza…
TSB-23-06110 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2010
Suzuki: a/c leak check at suction hose which no longer required to be replaced. A/c may not be getting as cold as usual or may not cool at all. Models forenza, forenza wagon, reno (rq420). *pe
TSB-TS-01-11198R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 12, 2009
Required automatic transmission control module initialization procedure. My 2004-2008 forenz sedan/wagon, reno (rq420). *nj
TS0601238 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2008
P0441 or p0496 (evaporative emission system continuous purge flow). *nj
0812177 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2007
Manual transmission shift linkage adjustment. *nj
0508157 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 27, 2007
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2008 Suzuki Reno has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2008 Suzuki Reno?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.