2002 Renault Scenic RX4 from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

I bought the Renault Scenic RX4 because it seemed like a safe, reliable car.

So far it has lived up to expectations except for the fact that it shudders in second gear.

When I advised the car dealer about this matter, I was told that the gears were tight and that it would sort itself out once the car had done more than 10,000 kilometres.

The car has now done more than 12,000k.

When I returned to the car dealer I was told that these cars "sludge" a bit in second gear!?

The problem only seems to occur when changing down in gears i.e. from third to second, and when going round a round-about or corner whilst needing to slow down.

Is there anyone out there with a similar problem, and can it be fixed?

My main concern is that this shudder is hurting the engine and I wonder how long the engine will last.

That sounds like my Scenic has the same fault, although I have found it more apparent when approaching a roundabout in third, but then have quick change to second... while still moving, the clutch judders - badly.

I have yet to take my to a my main dealer... which won't be the first visit - who'll probably have some lame excuse, why it's doing it. The issue being it should not.

A clutch will allow OR should allow for fast down changes at say 10-20 mph, or third to second, with a "SMALL" amount of clutch judder.

Mine feels like it is going to pop right out of the gearbox... it's far from right.

But then it is a Renualt... a make I WILL NOT be buying again.

I hope this has been of some help, I can only surmise that this is what is happening to your car, although it could be a sticky throttle cable, which might need lubrication...... it might your hot climate ? ..... not like here in "sunny" England ( not )

Andy

We brought our Renault Scenic RX4 1.9 Diesel, Monaco in November 2000, from an

import company in South West London, mainly because the price was more

acceptable compared to the dealers in the UK, £20,000 sourced in the UK,

£16,000 on import. We only had one years warranty.

After six months we discovered every time it rained, the carpets inside the

cabin were soaking, so we took it to Renault, they found the fault after 4

days of leaving the car in the rain, we complained as water invariably would

cause greater problems further down the road. Renault Customers Services

advised that nothing would be done.

Six months later the exhaust broke in two, to be replaced by Renault under

the Warranty, again we raised our concerns, again Renault were not

interested.

Again, Six months later the exhaust breaks, this time we were told to pay as

a different part of the exhaust broke and as such is not covered, so we paid

£75.00, and took the part the removed for further evidence about our cars

failings.

Three months later we discovered the diesel, was leaking from the car, again

took the car back to Renault, this time we did not need to pay as part of

the recall on all Diesel models.

Currently, our car is in a French Renault forecourt as the clutch had broken

whilst visiting relatives, the car had been there for three weeks now as

they are unable to source part of the clutch IN FRANCE, so we have been told

this part will not be available until 31st May 2003 at the earliest, today

is 14th May 2003. the moment we took the car to the French Garage, the

mechanic mentioned that we should get rid of the car ASAP, and he is a

family friend.

We shall be making a complaint to Renault UK for all the problems, and

suffice it to say that we have seen enough of Renault for one lifetime, and

shall advise everybody we know to stay well clear of Renault in future.

By the way the car was practical, spacious and previously economical.

I have a Renault Scenic 1.6; I find it, for the engine size, to be powerful and economic (average 40 mpg and even cruising at 90mph never less than 35mpg). The car was run in very carefully for the first 3000 miles. It was bought new in March 2002, current mileage 16,500. Only one fault in that time, at 12,500 miles, a bad misfire below 2000 RPM, this was traced to a faulty coil on one of the plug leads. I booked in the car with the dealer from whom I purchased it, and the car was returned within four hours, running sweetly again. I suffer from lower back problems (mild not severe), and in the test-drive distance they allow you, it felt fine, it was not until I had done a journey over 20 miles that the inadequacies of the seat became apparent. I went through agonies! I returned to my dealer who was unable to sell me anything to help. It was only thanks to the staff of Halfords that I can now ride in reasonable comfort, as I was able to try various support devices and return them if unsuitable. I tried Renault UK; to say they were unhelpful is an understatement, they were worse than useless, even obstructive in one case, saying that if I replaced the seat I would invalidate the warranty! What a contrast to the dealer, who has been superb, extremely nice and as helpful as can be. Would I buy another? Difficult to say, depends what's on the market in 2005 when I replace it, but if I can find ANYTHING else that fits my needs as well as this - most certainly, simply because of the attitude of Renault UK.

My wife also drive a RX4, it's a great car, not very reliable, but fun.

The car shudders because of its four-wheel drive system. I noticed the symptom when making U turns of when turning hard in second gear. The reason is, when there is a speed difference between the front and the rear wheels the viscous clutch "locks" and does not allow enough speed difference between the axels.

If anyone wants more information please look at http://www.concentric.net/~Sxs/VCTest.html.

Last Year my wife purchased a Renault Scenic RX4 petrol, shortly after this we noticed a problem with the steering twitching as we cornered right, a friend who had previously worked for Renault advised us it was a known fault of the steering rack.

Renault insisted on replacing the Power steering pump and rack (not a problem, I was on warranty), this cured this problem and the steering has been fine ever since.