Known since 2019, the problems linked to overconsumption of oil causing engine failures on Renault and Dacia models could be dealt with in the judicial field. A group action initiated by the Toulouse lawyer, Christophe Lèguevaques, aims to hold the diamond firm to account. 400,000 vehicles would be affected.
Launched at 130 km / h, the car loses power. It grazes and the driver miraculously falls back on the emergency lane, under a plume of smoke. It is this scenario worthy of a disaster film that many users of Renault Clio (best-selling car in France), Captur, Kadjar, Dacia, Duster or Lodgy, and Nissan, Juke and Qashqai, equipped with a 1.2 l TCe petrol engine, and manufactured between 2012 and 2016.
After Volkswagen’s “dieselgate” in 2015 and the rigging of its non-polluting engines, will another large-scale affair this time shake up the manufacturer Renault? This mechanical failure linked to overconsumption of oil on vehicles of the French firm is however not new.
In 2019, the Que Choisir magazine had already revealed these dysfunctions and several online forums stirring up hundreds of testimonies denounced the same misadventures on cars displaying more than 60,000 km. According to the consumer monthly, these sudden breakdowns could affect 400,000 cars in France. The costs associated with these avatars are estimated up to € 10,000 per vehicle. At the time, the injunctions of formal notice by the association UFC-Que Choisir had not resulted in the recall of the vehicles concerned.
A boost
Today, the file is gaining momentum. Under the leadership of the Toulouse lawyer, Christophe Lèguevaques, a collective action bringing together a large number of Renault customers who consider themselves victims of “failed engines” must be initiated this week. “These engines were flawed and Renault was aware of it,” says Christophe Lèguevaques. Originally, there was a design flaw in the engine that caused overconsumption of oil causing extensive damage to the combustion chambers. The Renault group was aware of these failures but has never recalled its dangerous vehicles. There is clearly a danger to the life of others ”. It is by a direct summons to the criminal court that the lawyer intends to lead the crusade against the diamond mark. A faster procedure, without preliminary investigation since the author of the alleged infringement is known.
Alerted, Renault group has been aware of these serial breakdowns since 2019. At that time, the manufacturer replied that excess engine oil consumption “can come from different causes – lubricants, conditions of use, etc.”, adding that ” compliance with the maintenance program is […] a prerequisite for the examination of commercial support ”. Recently joined, Renault wants to be more precise. “These already known problems concern 133,000 vehicles and not 400,000. The entire Renault network is fully trained to provide support and support to customers whose vehicle has been damaged. This support can even go beyond the warranty of the car ”. The diamond mark emphasizes the maintenance carried out by the customer. “In many cases of breakdown, there are parameters that we cannot control, such as the quality of the oil used”.
Since 2019, 3,500 people registered on a Facebook forum have expressed their dissatisfaction with Renault engine failures. “We are trying to bring together all of these motorists to engage in an initial dialogue with Renault before launching collective action,” says the lawyer from Toulouse.
“No obligation to recall cars”, according to Renault
“Renault group is not aware of this group approach undertaken by the Toulouse lawyer. The figure put forward of 400,000 vehicles is not what we are counting. According to our estimates, there are 133,000 vehicles produced between 2012 and 2016 ”. When contacted, the Renault group puts these engine incidents into perspective, to which a large number of customers in France were victims. If the firm is aware of technical problems on certain petrol models (Renault and Dacia 1.2 L, TCE engines), it also claims to have implemented a service and “measures allowing precise diagnostics to be carried out on customers’ vehicles” .
“Support and support have been provided for all customers. We address 100% responses to complaints from our customers to which we have responded to all ”. The French manufacturer has not recalled its vehicles because “overconsumption of oil does not require a recall obligation”. Renault believes that “it is not an element which affects the safety of customers”, unlike the Dieselgate case in Volkswaggen where the use of a technique from the German manufacturer aimed to reduce polluting emissions. In addition, the diamond-shaped firm educates its customers on respecting maintenance books, the use of quality oil and respect for oil changes in the brand’s dealerships.