2002 Renault Clio Expression from Slovenia - Comments

Electronic failure, the gas pedal stopped working - on a busy highway. Had to tow the car. Computer had to be replaced (after 1 week).

Ignition coil failure (car running on 3 Cyl, the catalyzator could start to burn).

The car couldn't be started - sensors had to be replaced, common problem with new Clio's that they fail to fast start again.

Electronic failure, gas pedal stopped working. Went to service, they've "fixed" the problem, next day the car died on me one more time when I was driving to an important meeting.

The ventilator panel stopped working. Had to be replaced.

Don't use the long lights and wipers at night - because the lights shutdown. There's a bug in a computer system and Renault is aware of it. Except that they refuse to repair it on my car...

The repairmen at Renault broke down two plastic parts (engine cover and ashtray bottom) during all the repairs and they refuse it replace it - like, my fault..

Etc..

All this problems occurred in 6 months since I got the new Clio. At Renault Slovenia they're all saying that they can't replace it and it should work now... I'm afraid to drive around now, because my Clio died on me around every 2500 kilometers (1250 miles). I had French Clio '98 - not a bigger problem in 4 years!

I'm not pushing the car to the limits, revs go up to 4500 max, but the car engine keeps using the oil (!!!). Full oil in this car drops down to minimum in just 2500km. I can't believe it...

Otherwise, the New Clio handles the corners much better than the old Series (1998-2001).

The engine is quite good, the car is very comfortable and it has many places to drop off your things. Seats are one of the best. But some nasty noises can be heard from the wheel when turning fast on a parking place.

The backseats are more comfortable than in the past series of Clios.

The best new part is the ABS System that really takes care of you in tough situations. The car stops very shortly and handling is very good! The 4 airbags make you feel secure, although there were already problems with the underseat connectors. The airbag light and SERVice light went on and I had to attach the cables (so I was told on Renault service) back again more firmly...

But it all comes way to short for me to be happy about this car and most of you will agree that the car reliablity is the most important factor. In half of the year using the new bought Clio, it broke down 5 times and left me on the road... I've managed to contact a lot of new Clio 2002 owners on the Internet and they face the similiar problems, so I'm not the only one... I guess Renault has some tough problems to face to keep the customers. I'm switching to Ford or one of the Japanese cars, I've seen enough, although I *was* a proud owner of Renault for more than 6 years...

Good luck!

I would like to express my dissapointments in the quality of the Clio that I purchased. I have a Clio 1.4 manual and since I got my car there have been an occurrence of several problems with the performance, service and reliability of the car. The first instance is when my car got it's first service, when the car was returned, I realized that the front passenger seat was stained with finger prints. this occurred when the service men had to tighten the screws of the seat because it made an annoying sound when I drove. I also realized that the front drivers seat had a puncture in it, When I reported it they agreed to patch it, but this did not match with the original appearance of the seating material. On several occasions I encountered starting problems. This occurred mainly on a morning, I reported it to my Renault service dealer and they said it might have been the sensor. However this problem still occurred until the car totally shut down on me and couldn't start. It was extemely embarrassing, since I had to push the car to the side of the road. My car had just been serviced a month ago when this happened. I went back to the company to report this problem and I was told that it was the injectors, and this would have to be repaired at my own cost. I found this situation unfair since the car was still under warranty and these defects should not happen in the first place and if they did occur they should be repaired by the company and at the cost of the company. Besides these unfortunate circumstances the Clio is a very comfortable car to drive in. The remote control at your fingertips is one of my favorite features. The safety features are also commendable.

Hi!

I drive the same car only mine has not been made in Slovenia. Nevertheless, I have to say that your review is right on the button. I've had the exact same problems and lately even more of them. There are just so many thing wrong with this car that I don't know where to start:

1. The GAS stops working.

This is a real pain and should never happen, but it does. Now just imagine your waiting to make a turn and you release the clutch, the car moves for a couple of inches and dies on you as the GAS is NOT working. No worries as long as there is no 20t cement truck comming your way...

- FIXED -

Renault insists this is a design flaw as the GAS pedal's electrical cabel is by design wrapped around the stearing weel axel and gets damaged by the friction over time?

"What the hell?"

2. Thermomether never works!

At its best it's off by just 6 degrees, but this happens like twice a year. Currently the temp. outside is -2 and the display is making me believe it's +47.

- Not FIXED -

Renault reported this to be fixed... I simply just don't care anymore.

3. High-beams - screen wipers BUG

Yes, this is a computer BUG. When the backwindow / front screen wipers timmers meet to turn off at the same exact moment the highbeams are turrned off. You have to manually turn them back down and up again.

- Not FIXED -

Renalut repair shop had taken my mobile phone number two YEARS ago with a promise to call me when replacement parts become available. Guess no parts yet, ha?

4. Running on 3 cylinders.

A common problem with Clio. I was actually stupid enough to change the spark plugs after only 12,000 km's thinking that might be it... but noooo. Passing the ECO test is going to be a killer with this catalyst I can tell.

- Not FIXED -

5. Ignition problems

Once temps drop below freezing point the car does not start. One has to be very patient and remain in the car for like 10 minutes trying the ignition over and over again. It eventualy fires up. I have no idea why this happens I just know I hate it!

- Not FIXED -

This started happening something like a year ago. Gave me trouble for a week and than stopped. Not that it's back I can just see me paying another $1000 to get it fixed.

I've started parking on hilltops as an emediate remedy to the problem.

6. The service light.

Now, does this light have a will of it's own or is it me? I mean does it just turn on to bug you or is there a purpose to it?

- Not FIXED -

Naturally, I can never get it to work when it's in the repairshop.

7. Stearing wheel height level adjustment lock

This lock has an annoying tandency to just release on a regular basis. This is very dangerous especialy at high speeds.

- Not FIXED -

You just have to remember to check the possition every now and then.

8. El. Windows

Very poorly assembed and I imagine the materials used are just a pile of junk. Gives up a very bad performance in rain.

That's it for now... I have to go push my car down a hill now.

Kind regards.

Vince.

(nitz@siol.net)

PS: Renault? Never again.

I am driving the same car in Italy... And I had the same sort of problems:

10000 Km: BOTH front lights burned out in 2 days and replaced

15000 Km: Radio satellite at steering wheel replaced

25000 Km: first coil replaced

27000 Km: Engine Control Unit reprogrammed by Renault

30000 Km: second coil replaced

35000 Km: third coil replaced

37000 Km: shaft position sensor replaced.

The CD unit behaves erratically

The driver window makes strange noises

The airbag wiring harness under the passenger seat is loose

The glove compartment light does not switch off any more

Strange feeling at the brake pedal if you press it flat and then release not completely (no feedback at all... but it brakes!)

Left side plastic on the windscreen detaches continuously

Erratic behavior of the mean fuel consumption indicator (shows IMPOSSIBLE values, and cycle rapidly when IDLE)

(Renault tried to fix all of this without success)

And after 40000 Km the driver seat is REALLY worn out... and I think to have 'behaved' normally on it!

Now I am waiting for the fourth coil to fail...

PS1: Try to reproduce this sequence of events (I am not sure now of the correctness of the sequence, but if you try some variants I am sure you could reproduce the problem)

1) open passenger door

2) push the emergency lights button

3) switch the ignition off

4) close the passenger door

5) THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS SOUND WILL SHUT OFF!

This is definitely a cluster unit software error...

This is the second RenFault I had... and definitely the last one.

I have had my Clio 172 for 3 years, and in that time it has been in the garage more times than it has on the road! It has had 5600 pounds of warranty parts put on it, and the problem I have now is that the warranty has run out, so it's starting to cost me money.

I don't want to pass it on to someone else, because that would be unfair, and I don't want to part ex it because it means getting into debt again. Can someone please give me some advice.

Thanks

rustysocks@yahoo.com

My sister-in-laws has a 3 yr old Renault Clio expression auto 1.4. Twice in 2 weeks her car has given a violent jerk as if auto failure, but I think it is momentary ignition failure, the car restarting with the weight of vehicle carrying the car forward. Both times she was travelling at 50 mph. She has 3 months warranty left and she is taking it in, I told her to register the fault with Renault head office

as this type of fault is not easily found and time goes by, but having registered the fault this should carry (I HOPE) past the warranty date. Has anyone else experienced this problem. Regards Ivan i.robstallwood@btinternet.com.

I have a Renault Clio 1.4 Alize, 2000 model with 125,000 km's. Trying to identify the reason for intermittent jerking. Normally happens after engine is warm, but is intermittent. Has been to Renault 3 times now. The lead wires as well as plugs were replaced. It has assisted, but the problem is still there! Not happening as often as before, but does still occur. Any ideas/suggestions? Much appreciated. Ivan Brits, Johannesburg, South Africa. ibrits@absamail.co.za.

My wife also has a clio which will just die at junctions and also has the shaky intermitent jerking as well I also own a renault kangoo which has exactly the same problems driving them is an absolute nightmare as you never know when its going to happen. they are absolute rubbish a friend of mine has narrowed it down to air getting into the system so hopefullywe should be able to solve it. I also have had many problems with the electrics on both the clio instrument panel just pleases its self and things just randomly flash on and off the e/w are really rubbish and both mechs have been replaced at a cost of £200.00 gbp each.trims just fall off

and the steering gets worse and worse.

I have 2004 Clio 1.6 automatic with A/C the car has had all the coils replaced (one at the time) it seems that there is factory defect. The engine is quite noisy but works OK. The worst problem with this car is the manufacturer´s service. It is extremely expensive and every time you take the car for service they want to change a lot of things and do a lot of service and of course at a very expensive cost. I would not buy a Renault again.

My feeling is that the manufacturer should at least take some responsibility for the faults on the vehicles they manufacture. You are destroying your company name. After getting many problems with my Clio Expression 1.4 Auto, I will never buy a Renault again and will tell whoever I know that it must be the worst manufacturer on the market. Please guys get your act together.