28th Jul 2008, 05:54

I have a Clio 1.2 Expression, and in truth I've always been very happy with it...

A couple of minor comments, though, and one MAJOR question...

1. When I went to reconnect my radio, the code the dealer provided was incorrect, so I had to get a new one, luckily through a contact so it didn't cost me anything.

2. The service light goes on quite a lot. Someone at Renault told me to fiddle with the wires under the passenger seat and that would sort it - it works every time!

3. When Renault serviced my car, they tried to charge for repairs to a number of items that were covered under warranty (and items that should NOT have showed faults at such low mileage - my car is 52 reg and at about 30k miles, so I really don't abuse it). After a real battle, they conceded, but I would never trust a Renault dealer ever again. They even tried to charge me for a new number plate that had just got through MOT, that they had sold me in the previous year. They seem to believe they have a licence to print money!

My MAJOR question is as follows...

WHERE ON EARTH IS THE RESERVOIR FOR POWER ASSISTED STEERING? It is not where the manual says, and despite hunting high and low, I cannot find it. Any clues would be welcome.

Cheers.

28th Jul 2008, 09:01

Re the post above..

I've a feeling that we have electronic power assistance so we don't have a fluid reservoir at all... I think..apologies if I'm wrong on that..

Had the same problems re the car not running properly (chugging..low idling..) I've got a 51 plate 1.6 16v dynamique, mate got it sorted by cleaning out the throttle body and replacing the ignition coils. He also gave most of the sensors a good clean out, not that he could see anything wrong with them. Although judging by what I've read on here there seem to be many different ailments that cause these problems.

Renault certainly seem to have created a stupefyingly awkward engine in these cars..

29th Jul 2008, 15:08

On July 22nd I was driving along A50 at about 6pm when the bonnet of my Y reg Clio flew up, shattering my windscreen and damaging the front of the roof. It was a very frightening experience, especially as I had my two young grand-daughters in the car with me. It has now gone to be repaired leaving me with an excess of £350 to pay and spoiling my no claims bonus. Renault still won't recognise a fault in the design.

Just after buying the car in 2003 with just over 4000 miles on the clock the first of my 4 coils had to be replaced followed, at intervals, by the other 3 coils, involving me in a good deal of expense. I shall not buy another Renault car.

31st Jul 2008, 17:30

I bought a Renault Clio 1.5 DCi today. Within seconds of leaving the garage, the heaters did not work, and a couple of hours later the service light and airbag light both came on. Any ideas on how to resolve these problems??

5th Aug 2008, 16:05

Hi I drive a Renult Megane Coupe 1.6 16v. I have had loads of problems; it seems like every week I have new problems with it. I think I have replaced every part in the engine, but I still get daft problems. Renaults have to be the worst cars in the world. All my mates drive Clio's and Megane's and we all get problems. It makes you wonder why people buy these french buckets of ****.

5th Aug 2008, 16:29

My girl friend has just bought a 57 plate Clio Campus Sport 1.2 16v. I have just noticed that in the top right hand corner of the door has white mold on it on both sides, so there must be damp getting in from somewhere? I think it's shocking how Renault deal with their customers and their ridiculous over charging for parts.

8th Aug 2008, 04:15

Guys, I thought it might be of some help to follow up on this post. My car was doing all of the problems you have listed, juddering, cutting out emissions light flashing etc. I replaced the 3 relays as suggested in the post below. Now I know this will not be a fix for everyone, but please, try it first as it worked for me and only cost £50.

9th Aug 2008, 19:17

*** Not a serious suggestion ***

To fix the Renault problem;

1) Locate the bonnet pull.

2) Pull the bonnet pull.

3) Lift the bonnet.

4) Secure the bonnet in the upright position.

5) Locate the wiring loom and lambda sensor.

6) Locate a container with petroleum contained within.

7) Splash the said petroleum over the entire engine.

8) Get some phosphorus sesquisulfide on a small stick.

9) Ask a friend to ignite the phosphorus sesquisulfide stick.

10) Ask the said friend to introduce the phosphorus sesquisulfide stick to the petroleum sodden engine.

11) Wait for the wooofing sound and watch the said friend loose his/her eyebrows.

12) Stand back and wait 29 minutes.

13) Phone for help.

14) Don't buy another Renault.

20th Aug 2008, 05:10

Hi everyone.

I'm experiencing the same orange engine coil warning light as everyone else here seems to be... luckily I have a very friendly local 'Renault specialist' mechanic seeing my car tomorrow, and I shall attend armed with a list of possible resolutions taken from the comments here.

I contacted Renault UK Customer Service and spoke to two of the rudest people I've encountered in a long time, who basically said that it was a "serviceable issue" and was *my* fault. I explained about the recurring issues everyone else has described, to which they said "prove it's the same fault. Unless you pay us £80 to look at your car, it could be anything".

I will be writing immediately to the CEO of Renault UK to complain, and might I suggest that everyone else experiencing problems does the same. It may be a fool's errand, but there's a small chance that this may force Renault to sort out their poor customer experience.

Write to:

Roland Bouchara

CEO Renault UK

The Rivers Office Park

Denham Way

Maple Cross

Rickmansworth

WD3 9YS.

Tell him what you think!

28th Aug 2008, 05:35

I have a Renault Clio 04 plate which has done 35,000 miles. Have had similar problems since buying this car 2 years ago. Warning lights come on, on the dashboard usually electrics and toxic fumes. Then the car judders/loses power and finally cuts out entirely. It has been back to the Renault garage about 5 times. They assured me the problem was solved last November 2007 when I paid £440 to have the throttle body replaced... Problems started happening again last night even worse than before and it cut out 4 times this morning (after losing power etc) on a 1 mile journey to the garage. It is really really dangerous and has put me off Renault cars completely, which is a shame as an earlier model clio I owned was excellent and prompted me to buy my current nightmare clio...

28th Aug 2008, 17:24

Write to watchdog, look on 2008 models. They might make them do a recall; why should you put up with this?

18th Sep 2008, 14:28

I have a 51 reg Clio. I bought it in 05 with a full service history, since then it has had a broken immobilizer, broken starter motor, broken water pump, brake shoes seized up, new spark plugs, new sensors and I'm sure there are a few more things that I have forgotten about.

The main problem is the various electrical faults, I had a fault for about two years where the car would go into limp mode on a regular basis. Renault kept charging me for various parts and assuring me it was fixed. Their customer service was very very poor and the staff were rude. I got sick of paying for nothing so I left it alone, and after about a year the problem went away.

I'm having different problems now. I had to get a towed by Greenflag to the garage (not a Tenault dealer) to be told that it started fine and there wasn't a problem. Two weeks later the engine fault light has come on even though the car has been running absolutely fine. I don't know anyone else who gets towed as much as I do, my breakdown cover is extortionate!

I thought I was just unlucky, but reading the other comments, I won't ever buy another one.