2001 Renault Grand Espace from UK and Ireland - Comments

I bought a 2002 51 Plate Grand Espace 2 years ago and like many of the stories here, found this car totally disappointing. I have already spent £2000+ on repairs and rising. My latest problem is the remote central locking and alarm does not work through remote any more. I took it to Renault Dealer who charged me £44 just to tell me that my keyfob was not transmitting. They then suggested for me to purchase a new key fob and which may or may not be the problem and quoted £135+. After going to a Auto locksmith and purchasing my immobiliser PIN code from renault, the autolockmsith could not tap into the onboard computer which suggested something more sinister in it's electrical faults. Conveniently for Renault, it seems they are the only people who can rectify this and therefor hold motorists like me to ransom with their high prices. One thing is for sure, this is my first and will be the last renault and would definitely persuade anyone I come into contact with NOT to even go near RENAULT used or new! Too much hassle, inconvenience, expense and disappointment.

Have owned a 2001 grand espace 2.2dci from new with now 44k on the clock. The car is a great family workhorse with engine and most mechanicals being good and the body work a gem - still as new - hard to find a car with space and comfort similar in this class (I'm looking now). However it is plagued with expensive avoidable problems - reading the threads and from my own experience these are:

1. Clutch - had the same master cylinder issues thankfully under warranty at the time.

2. Leaky sunroof - seals are just not up to it - cleaning them does help, but have learned to live with this one

3. Door locks - Happened twice circa £400 both times as it seems that the whole lock unit needs replacing

4. Airbag - sensors under seat goes and warning light keep coming up - the first problem experienced and the most persistent

4. Dashboard / instrument panel - just had this one - it's a £745 part - seems to do everything (inc central locking) and can't be fixed - you just don't expect to have to buy a new instrument panel?!?!

So if I have a bug bear it's that Renault must know these common problems / design defects and that's where great customer service should step in - they can all be fixed it is only a question of £££ - consider - if these common problems were just a problem for Renault and not their customers then you would have a great car.

I bought a Renault Espace 2.2 dCi 02/52 "The Race"... my goodness.

The car has a full dealer service history with a known odometer problem and the engine was rebuilt by Renault at £3500 before I brought it... so I thought what else could go wrong? the car's seen it's tougher days...

Well, I have owned many cars of all ranges, and this is without doubt the worst car I have ever owned.

Whilst driving, the car suddenly cut out on the main road... nothing would work and it simply wouldn't start... I had an icon on the screen like a heart rate... so naturally I assumed it was serious. I called a private recovery company and had it towed to the local Renault dealers.

Apparently the fuse box had leaked and had let water in to the relays... the relays cost £30... the bill was £300! (Diagnostics and Labour!). Everything else on the car was fine except the turbo was a little weasy, and the front two tyres were bald... these were their diagnostics.

I was totally appalled! The car kept doing the same thing over and over again... eventually, I took it to a real mechanic and he told me that the injectors must need cleaning. He charged me £5! put in some injector cleaner solutions and let it run for a bit... this fixed the problem.

I thought to cut my losses early and sell the vehicle before something else went wrong. Sods law... guess what.

The night before I was to put it up for sale, I started the car and the engine went wild, I mean absolutely mental!

As the engine was turned over the revs started to just go up higher... higher... and higher. I freaked and took the key out and was standing next to the car watching it smoke itself to death, with the key in my hand, shocked and panicking. Finally, the engine cut out.

I have never seen anything like that or so dangerous in my life!

I called the RAC out to see if they could assist and the chap looked at the vehicle and said it had literally choked itself and is a commonly known problem with Renault. WHAT??? is that a joke?? the car chokes itself to death and it's a "commonly known problem?" Well I was flying that night and stranded myself. I had it towed to the mechanic i'd used before and NOT the dealers who are simply extortionate and have no compassion that struggling people with children buy their vehicles in the hope that they can rely on them for their day to day activities. A car should be a help and an assistance and not simply a pit you throw all your hard-earned money into!

I wrote a huge list of complaints to the Renault head office, to find that I have no response two weeks later on my return.

The specialist has advised me that he has checked compression and there is none. The car will need a new engine and a new turbo, as both have burnt themselves out.

Why does this happen?

I spoke to Mate, sharing my burdens, and he said he had exactly the same issue with his 1.9 dci Laguna, at city centre traffic lights and I should count my blessings I was at least home with no kids in the car. He had his family in the car when they had to make a speed exit on the main road.

He was told by Renault that a new turbo would fix the problem... only to have paid for the turbo (£800) and then told the engine was dead... He ended up scrapping his and vowed never to go back to Renault, no matter what.

Apparently when this happens, you are supposed to stall the engine (by putting it in 2nd gear, pressing the brake and lifting the clutch). I wish they'd have told us this at driving school and that you will have to know some tricks to be safe in a Renault!

I will write again to the Renault head office and not from the website as before, to make sure that I get some response on the kind of half baked solutions they are pedaling for motor vehicles!

I will be telling UK watch dog and ask for advice.

I am utterly disappointed, and purchased the Renault in place of a Chrysler as they are known for their problems.

DO NOT BUY A RENAULT! it's as simple as that.

The car I bought:

Serviced regularly by the dealers. Actually done about 94k, showing close to 190k.

The mileage jumped 100k and the dealers turned a blind eye and continued to stamp the car at the mileage shown.

The engine has been rebuilt at £3500 just over a year ago.

The relays went killing the engine and steering at a cost of £300.

The interior light switches have all gone.

The air con is dead.

The key fob has a mind of it's own when it comes to locking and unlocking.

The engine and turbo have now gone.

This is the most un-reliable vehicle ever built; it really has to be.

I have a Grand Espace 2.2 dCi, which is the worst vehicle I have ever owned, including cars costing £200 with an MOT. This car is now a large plastic garden ornament. My advice to anyone is to buy ANYTHING other than this car. If you do buy one, budget on £3000 to £4000 year on year for repairs.