2002 Renault Clio dynamique from UK and Ireland - Comments

I bought a renault clio dynamique 16v in 2003, less than 1 year old with only 4000 miles on the clock from a renault dealer. I have had countless faults with this car.

Firstly when I got the car home from the dealer after purchase I noticed an oil leak, returned it to dealer and was told it had been fixed although not the case. the care was returned a further twice with the dealer assuring me this time it was fixed, eventually they attmited they couldnt fix the problem and put a whole new engine in the car, thankfully under warranty.

Then on a cold morning tried to start the car, but had a flat battery, which had also set the immobiliser off, called out aa, who tried hitting the key off the ground a few times as they said sometimes the bit in the key becomes loose. the car started.

Another day same problem, flat battery= immobilised engine, this time hitting the key didn't work, started looking online and got a tip whick worked.

If the immobiliser is on then open all the doors and the boot and leave them open, next put the key in engine and turn it till the electics come on, leave the car like this for around 10min and the immobiliser resets itself, I know it sounds crazy, but it worked!

I was continually having problems with the car starting and after repeatedly replacing batteries and not having much luck, I called ou the aa again, this time the aa man said it was a common prob with clios and without even looking at the car said it would probally be the connector to the battery which seems to a common inherent fault in clios (manufactuers take note!), which he replaced for free and have never experienced problems with this aspect since.

Next fault was after car just being serviced and had only done around 19k the brakes seized on, again called aa who said he had been out to 3 clios with same prob in the last 2 weeks, he tried to hammer it off, but couldnt so towed it to dealer who fixed under warranty.

I then hit a pot hole whilsy driving and the car deploed the side air bags, and seat belt ensioners, had it towed to dealer who said the couldnt rule out it had been involved in an accident, refused to fix anything under warranty, I complained as the sensors shouldn't deploy airbags and passenger and back seatbelts when only 1 person in the car and it was just a pothole although renault refused to do anything about it, ended up paying out £2700 in repairs including 2 new full front seats, new back seat belts, and new central computer.

I am now experiencing the same problem that seems to be comon to everyone on this site,

the emmisions light is permanently on, the car sounds like its misfiring when its started. when changing gear there is a delay as it struggles to gather power and when pulling out of juctions, round abouts ect it judders and doesn't have the power needed to pul away. then the engine cuts out at speed and the electrical management light comes on, tha ABS and pas fail.

This is highly dangerous and seems to be an inherrent fault. I have put the car into my dealer who said after a diagnostic check that the car only req new spark plugs at a cost of £56.98. that was yesterday and the car is still showing the same problems, I have put in a complaint and put the car back in to be looked at however I don't hold out much hope for a solution after reading this site!

If anyone has managed to get this fixed please email me and let me know!

Cutiepiex0x@hotmail.co.uk.

These cars should be recalled there is obviously a serious common fault which is causing the power failures in the cars. if renault prides itself so much on safety then they should be doing something about it, will they wait til someone dies or is seriously injured in their car due to the power cutting out a high speeds before they act or are held liable? I will be contacting trading stardards, these cars are not fit for purpose!

Too many faults to go thro them all,

i would never buy a renault again. these cars should be recalled!

Indeed seems my brother had same fault with it starting, and was simple fault to fix, but caused a whole pile of hassle.

Hi, I have the same problem with starting the car.

Renault clio 1.2 2000, it won't start, it happened intermittently, (everything else works perfect)

The mechanic said it's related to the immobilizer, and have to set on/off alarm again if it happens.

Anyone knows how to fix this other than sending it to Renault center?

Thanks. my email : linmedia@eircom.net

THANK YOU!!!

Flat battery - engine turning, not firing after a good charge.

The comment about leaving all the doors open, turning on ignition and waiting for 10 minutes just worked.

Saved me calling out Athe A at the end of my 12 hour shift.

Thanks again, from a very tired Paramedic.

Thank you, Thank you. My son fiddled with the interior light so it got left on and drained the battery. I have also just renewed my AA membership without home start so was not sure what to do next. Fantastic tip.

I just had a problem with my 03 clio on the motorway today. lost all its power and cut out causing me to swerve onto the hard shoulder. engine management light came on and car basically died. I drive on the motorway everyday and something like this has taken all my faith in a renault away. As I'm an 18year old lass, I had the shock of my life. if this is a common fault as the dealer told me. why is it that they haven't been recalled. totally shocking!!

No end of problems, electrical faults, engine faults with mine. Currently without it again. My advice - don't buy another one!

Please help! I own a Renault Clio Dynamique, 05 plate, and has been a great little car up until a few weeks ago! I have had the car nearly a year now.

A few weeks back I was on the motorway, and as I was slowing down to stop at a junction, my car was revving on its own... without my foot on the accelerator. I have noticed that when this happens, the temperature completely drops to 'zero' and just keeps on revving & won't stop at all... and I have seen revs on the clock go around to 3000 revs... and at this point I have no choice but to turn off the ignition.

When it comes to starting the car again... the temperature is still on zero... and will not start until the temp rises... which takes a very long time for the temp to rise... sometimes a good half hour.

I am obviously going to get this problem looked at... but am just curious as to whether anyone else who owns a Clio is experiencing the same problem. if so, please email at fallon.auker@yahoo.co.uk. Many thanks

We also have a 52 plate Clio 1.2 16v, and had the same starting problems. It's not the immobiliser, after many trips on the back of the AA wagon to Renault and no help from either, I decided one day to start taking the car apart, starting at the starter motor. I discovered that the contact points that sit on the solenoid are made from mild steel. and here is where the problem lies. They corrode very easily being at the front and open to water spashing. Remove the said connectors to the starter and simply rub with sand paper reconnect and off you drive! 6 times I've been to Renault under warranty and not once did they resolve the problem.

Hi, I have a Renault Clio 1.2 16v 2001. Had no end of trouble. All the above and more.

A new wiring loom sorted most things out, cost £350 from rip off Renault.

Anyway, the new trouble being when I get in car in the mornings, turn the key, nothing there at all. Do this 3-4 times, then it fires up like nothing happened?

Took it to the garage. Yes sir, you need a new coil pack, £84. 3 weeks later it's started doing it again. Fed up, keep spending money on it, can anyone help please?

Had all of the above listed problems with my 02 1.2 Clio. My advice is just burn it out, cause it's just one thing after another with them.