Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Suzuki Verona, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 7 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 9% |
| Power train | 5 | 9% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 2% |
| Structure | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
This issue pertains to Safety Recall Notice No. XC - All 2004-2006 Suzuki Verona Vehicles - DRL System. Please note, the vehicle manufacturer provided documentation service was performed and the DRL Module (part 38860-84
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
VEHICLE DRIVES NORMAL THEN BRAKES LOCK UP CAUSING TIRES TO SKID TO SUDDEN STOP KILLING THE ENGINE AT RANDOM TIMES AND RANDOM SPEEDS THEN STARTS RIGHT BACK UP THEN DOES IT AGAIN AT A RANDOM TIME. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
SCOTT WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY; HOWEVER, AS HE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, HE NOTICED H WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN, AND THAT IT APPEARED THAT HIS BRAKES HAS GIVEN OUT. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY SLOW DO
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI VERONA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V363000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
1-AIRBAG RED WARNING LIGHT ALL WAY STAY ON. 2-PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF YELLOW LIGHT ALL WAY STAY ON EVENT MY UNCLE SEAT ON.(220LBS)
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
RECALL ON LIGHTNING, SEAT BEAT AND AIRBAG AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
2005 SUZUKI VERONA. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT A DEFECT THAT MAY CAUSE MELTING OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP AND THAT THERE IS A RISK OF FIRE. *MW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI VERONA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHIFTING. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 Suzuki Verona. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Verona vehicles manufactured June 2003 to October 2005. In the affected vehicles, there may be heat generated within the DRL module located in the instrument panel, which could melt the DRL module.
Risk: If the DRL module melts due to the heat generation, it could cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the DRL module in the instrument panel, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2014. Owners can contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP DUE TO INADEQUATE WALL THICKNESS OF THE PULLEY.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP DRIVE BELT TO DISCONNECT RESULTING IN HEAVY STEERING, AND CAN LEAD TO ENGINE OVERHEATING OR TO BATTERY DISCHARGE AND ENGINE STALL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 80 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 7 of them (13%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.