1998 Renault Espace RXE dT from UK and Ireland - Comments

I have had repeated problems with the airbag computer saying it needs a service. It gets one then announces a couple of weeks later that it needs another one. I'm a bit concerned that the airbag might go off for no reason, and the dealership were checking very carefully so maybe they think the same.

Also the footwell carpet fasteners come adrift. But that's minor niggle.

It's a very quiet, smooth car, and the 2.2 diesel engine is excellent with plenty of low speed torque for around town yet it will cruise comfortably at 100mph - oops, in theory I mean of course.

The build is not bad but I suspect it will start falling apart after 3 or 4 years.

I've been seeing similar issues with the computer showing a faulty airbag. What did you do to remedy this?

I have the same problem on a 3.0 RXE. Sometimes the 'service Airbag' screen will show and other times it shows 'OK'. Has anyone discovered the problem?

Has the problem with the airbag service warning been solved?

If so, what was the cause.

I'm having the same troubles...

Look at the connector under the seats.

The solution on my car was checking and cleaning the contacts that go to the pyrotechnical belt holders.

I'm looking at buying a MPV. There is an Espace 1995 M reg at a small sales yard local to me. Just wondered if any one would tell me what to look for at that age! Any comments good or bad!

We hope to upgrade from our Scenic to the Espace; although I have read so many Espace reviews some good, but unfortunately mostly bad, which is a little off putting.

Unlike my Scenic i have owned too many unreliable and poorly built cars.

(My Scenic to date has not given us any gripes and has proved to be well built and reliable)

But we do at some point in the near future intend to get a full size MPV and it is the Espace we want.

We've had a 1998 2.0RTE Espace for 3 yrs now. Overall very pleased with the comfort and reliability, but there have been a few issues:

1. Had the same airbag / service warning light problem. The Renault service dept wanted to change the engine mgmt computer (at great expense, but after reading this column, I pointed them in the direction of the under-seat wiring, which they subsequently identified as the fault (not the computer).

2. Front passenger footwell storage space is often damp. I believe this is due to condensation. Renault can't find any other explanation.

3. 30,000 mile Renault service found both rear brake cylinders leaking and needing replacement, which wasnt cheap.

I have a Renault Espace that's 3 months old. So far, it's been back to the dealer in Birmingham on three occasions for the airbag problem described above.

It's had a new airbag computer fitted under warranty, but that didn't fix the problem and so it went back for a wiring investigation.

After spending all day at the dealership, it came back and first time out, on came the airbag light again!

Today it's going back in again. I'll mention the seat thing - you never know.

Seeing that the original problem on this page was reported a couple of years ago, you'd think Renault would have done something about it wouldn't you?

Should have stuck with the Mitsubishi Space Wagon - not a day off the road in three years!

Our Renault Espace 3.0 RXE V6 Auto has had the airbag warning light problem since new in June 1999. Been in countless times for a fix (including computer change) but the problem always returns. (Incidentally, did you know that the warning light disables the whole airbag system?) In October we received a recall letter for this very problem and thought at last we will get this sorted. 2 months after the work is completed (I understand the lateral airbags are the main problem area) one of the lateral airbags goes off whilst the car is stationary and not involved in any impact. Renault examine the car 3 times and say there is no connection and that the problem was caused by a seatbelt getting caught in the door (untrue!) Expect to pay in excess of £1000 to put it right customer services tell me.

Re: Renault Espace 3.0 RXE V6 Airbag problem. Since posting the last message, Renault UK have agreed to fix the problem at their expense.

Airbag problem FIXED - I had the airbag light problem on my 1999 Renault Espace. Thankfully the previous owner had kept good records. These included a Renault Specification Improvement letter sent from the main dealer - "The manufacturer tells us this vehicle falls into a chassis number range subject to a product enhancement, to the lid for the Passenger airbag Tn529. This letter was quoted to the dealer and I took my vehicle in for this work to be carried out. Its been fine since.

Unfortunately there is now a problem with the central locking not working. I've changed the key batteries and its not this. It was initially an intermittent fault, but possibly now more permanent as it hasn't worked for about a week.

I have found all the comments in this section so interesting. On my Espace RXE 2.2dT (1999), I too have had the 'airbag' warning problem for several years now. The Renault dealership 'hard-wired' the connector under the passenger seat 2 years ago which fixed it, but they warned, it may have to be done with the drivers side in due course. Guess what, its just happened again. Also, one remote key won't work (batts changed) and dealership say new key is iro £100 and/or receiver is £300. I wonder if anyone has information that these 2 electronic faults are somehow connected?

My 2000 Espace has had the airbag service light on for about two years now and I believe it to be linked with the seat belt pre tensioner wire connections. I had the front seats out to check the connections only to find that the sockets that I was hoping to find loose had previously been removed and the wires soldered!

Regarding the inoperative key fobs, I also had this problem and found that it was the contacts inside the key fob. With the fob opened up and the two batteries out, gently ease the bottom battery contact up a little. Replace the batteries and all should be well!

We have a Renault Espace Grande Dynamique 2.0 on an 05 plate and it has had the 'SERVICE' 'CHECK AIRBAG' warning on the dashboard intermittently since new. I have taken it to garages on several occasions, during the warranty period too and have been told a fault can't be found. Today, I took it to the garage again and been told that its the passenger front seat belt pretensioner that is the problem. I have only just discovered this site and realised that this fault has occurred with other Renault vehicles. I intend to contact Renault UK tomorrow to discuss the matter.

My 1999 3.0 RXE has now completed 115,000 miles, mostly without the benefit of the airbags. I had a lame recall letter from Renault some years ago saying the airbags had been wired up in reverse at the Matra factory. However after letting Renault loose on the car once I wasn't prepared to let them have it again when a second recall letter arrived. After all airbags are for people who won't put on seat belts, and they generally live on the west side of the Atlantic Ocean!

I just put the Espace back on the road after a year - I couldn't justify the 22mpg with my present high mileage. I'm pleased to say that everything except the airbags still works.