2001 Renault Laguna Initiale Sports Tourer 3.0 V6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

An embarrassment

Faults:

I have "pot holed" the car on three occasions. One incident was at high speed. The other two were at urban speed.

The first occasion, at high speed distorted/effectively destroyed the near side front wheel.

The second time caused suspension damage as did the third.

Getting dealers to deal with wheel problems is a nightmare. Most do not have wheel machines of a sufficient size to deal with replacing tyres. You end up buying the wheel, taking the wheel to a tyre place to fit the tyre and the wheel. Most non renault places then fit the wrong sort of valve.

The sat nav system was non functioning on purchase.

The power steering has failed.

The spring to the fuel cap flap has gone.

Trim has started to fall to pieces.

The safety sensors repeatedly detect problems with the airbags seemingly randomly.

General Comments:

The car is reasonably fast, when it is working.

It is comfortable and well equipped.

It is a good car to own if you like driving courtesy cars instead.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th May, 2003

18th May 2003, 19:41

I'd suggest to make a change and take it to another dealer, be friendly and they will please you, that's my personal advice, I have had horrible stories with dealers (not only Renault ones) and the best services are on the places I act friendly. Go for one issue at time and you will get your car running as intended (you paid for it!) in a few weeks, and avoid potholes ;)

20th Feb 2004, 07:38

I also have a Renault Laguna Sports Tourer 2001. It has been back to the main dealer approx. 20 times. The power steering has gone, the suspension has been replaced. Various coils have been replaced. The air conditioning has been repaired. At present the car drives jerkily, something obviously wrong with the performance. I think the assisted braking system is cutting in when it should'nt. Various indicators i.e. petrol level, distances etc. not working. Poor standard of after sales and services from Renault dealer. I also own a new traffic van which has been in main dealer for last 5 weeks awaiting parts after break down. I will no buy another Renault.

3rd Feb 2005, 13:33

I sold this car recouping approximately 1/3rd of the purchase price after 2.5 years. I sold the car because in addition to the problems indicated, there followed two occasions on which I suffered engine failure. Renault UK were helpful, however, having had the car out of action for three weeks in a five week period, I lost any remaining confidence that I had had in the car.

2001 Renault Laguna Sports Tourer 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Comprehensively the worst car I have ever owned

Faults:

This is a further update on the most hateful car I have ever owned. Finally had the brake issue resolved. I received absolutely no customer care from Olympian Renault in Salisbury. They finally washed the car to compensate for the fact that my car was a health hazard and was off the road for 7 weeks. I have had no further serious issues with the car, but it is slowly falling apart. They were not interested at all, could not care less. How they have ISO 9001 quality certification is beyond me.

The dash has more rattles that a 1 year old and the car chooses when you may or may not lock or unlock the car. Often I have had to open the car with the integrated key, very embarrassing in a petrol station when people are queuing for pumps. I often have to restart then stop the car to left me lock it.

General Comments:

Really, I have tried to like this car. I only have myself to blame. It looked good, was the right price and my earlier negative experience of a Renault 19 16v was forgotten. However this just is not a good car, it does not drive well and is unreliable to the level that it is dangerous. Do not buy one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th April, 2003

12th May 2003, 07:47

I had a 2001 1.6 Sport Hatchback, and that too was the worst car I have ever driven. The tires provided by Renault were poor, clutch was sticking after 15000 miles, sunroof stuck open after 10 months, acceleration was terrible - my wife could burn me off in her 1992 Mini (although cruising at 90mph on the motorway was not that bad). After 28000 miles, I was getting a loss of power when cruising (quite scary at 90mph!) then a sudden lurch forward and back to full power - dealer could find nothing wrong.

Services were an astronomical amount of money - my business partner paid £300 less for his BMW service than I did for my Laguna's service - £425 and they only replaced the windscreen wipers and oil etc. They didn't even clean it! After 2 and a half years, I eventually gave up on it altogether and part exchanged it for Toyota Rav4. I have vowed never to have a Renault ever again, and doubt if I will stray from Toyota now - I am so pleased with the Rav, much better to drive long distance.