1996 Renault Megane RT from UK and Ireland - Comments

After owning the car for around 1 year, with a mileage of 45000, without any warning, the gearbox broke.

The problem appears to be one of the cogs breaking off the shaft. This cost around £1000 to fix and the car has never been the same since. Anyone else had this problem??

Also, early 2002, the central locking system / immobilizer shorted out and deadened my battery. This required a new Renault Immobilizser at a cost of £250.

Finally the exhaust. It has been developing an awful rattle sound, yet whenever I have it checked, there are no holes in it and it is not loose.

Anyone else had similar problems???

I reported my gearbox problem to Renault Customer Services, yet they did not seem in the least bit interested to listen, let alone do anything about it.

They have seriously let themselves down.

I have exhaust rattle problem, caused when the rubber around the brackets melts or falls off, costs about £300 to fix as the cat is attached to the bracket which must be replaced. happens to all meganes eventually, just have to live with it I'm afraid.

Kris.

I had the same exhaust rattling problem on my Clio, a friend on his Mégane and my mum on her Espace. Have been told this is a Renault characteristic... nothing serious. As is the "electric-like" whining engine :-)

I have just purchased a second hand megane 1.4rt which has the same exhaust rattle, whining engine and gearbox characteristic. I thought I had bought a dud so, I am glad I read these reviews.

Nice to know about the rattling exhaust fault as I have been trying to fix this fault for about 3 months.

I have a 1998 Megane, It has just developed an exhaust rattle, just passed its MOT so cannot be serious I hope. Also have trouble with first gear, usually when cold.

Guess what? Mine also is experiencing an exhaust rattle. I was told that the mid pipe bracket came off from the cars underside. This thus made the whole exhaust unstable and caused the back mounting to snap. Now it has all been fixed, but I still get a rattle. This occurs when pulling off.

Yeah I've had the rattling exhaust problem too. My exhaust was pretty rusted so had a new on fitted and as soon as I drove off from the garage it was louder than ever! Took it straight back and they told be there was a broken bracket which holds the exhaust in place. The guy very kindly welded it for me and now the noise had stopped. Only took him 5 minutes and have no further rattling from the exhaust almost one year on. Wish I could say the same for the electrics :- (

I also have a 1.6RT Megane and have had no end of problems including the exhaust rattling. I should have shares in the local garage as my car helps them to stay in business. Would not recommend this model and will probably not buy another Renault.

I bought a 1999 megane 1.4 sport --never had any problems with exhaust or noises although both back door buttons have seized in lock position, remote will not unlock neither will pulling buttons up as they don't move -having major problems trying to find how to fix or even open doors as think?? child locks on also PLEASE help!!!

I've recently brought a Renault Megane RT 1.6 and had the exhaust rattle, me and my dad took the exhaust cover plate off at where it joins the engine to find that the bracket which joins in to the engine was loose, get some engine grease there and really tighten it up, put the cover back on and hey presto! no more rattles! - have had no other problems with car.

Please for the love of god, no one ever buy a Megane. I think the demon was from the bowels of hell that invented the exhaust system of that car. When I first got the car.. not a problem.. now the exhaust is in bits, it is no longer responsive and it has enough electrical problems to have Thomas Edison spinning in his grave.

Unless you are a real 'drive to mass on sundays only' type driver, I would seriously avoid this car. 'Looks great... falls apart even better' :-)

Re 1998 Megane Scenic auto. Developed engine oil leak at 13 months old - first told it would cost as out of warranty, but in response to my request for confirmation of when I should expect it to start leaking, they paid for the labour.

Roof (twin sunroofs model) leaks and has done for a few years, water drips out of the light and switch cluster at the front centre of the roof. Probably, though no certainty that it comes in round the aerial...

Gearbox has been bumpy for a couple of years too. Slow down, say for traffic lights then pull away again and the car jerks like it has been hit up the backside by a truck. First of all making sure there was enough coolant cured it. Now it doesn't. Once the engine is good and warm it will jerk frighteningly. Also it is starting to roll backwards downhill when it shouldn't...

Is it possible to check the level of gearbox oil?? Is the gearbox oil the same as the engine oil??

Any good advice???

We like the car and apart from the above and a few other minor annoyances it has been a good workhorse. No other serious problems at 75,000 miles so far...

I have a megane at 42,000 the battery is dead we don't know the cause yet, but, I suspect it has to do with the immobilizer. it also has an annoying rattle when you start it sounds like a deisel.

We have had our renault megane for 3 years only done 29000 miles and and still paying for it,the seat does not move back,the interior wears quickly and now the gearbox packed up on us on the m5.

Renault are not interested in fixing it for us,beware renault a sheep in wolfs clothing! mcg yeovil, somerset.

Have also had problems with rear door locks and exhaust rattle. Door lock was not able to unlock and I needed to smash the original lock so the door would open and then replace it with a new one. pretty annoying.

Exhaust problems was due to loose rear bracket causing the exhaust to drop and rattle. Now I have another rattle closer to the front which is quite annoying.. may try the suggestion about tightening the exhaust to manifold bolts solution suggested.