2003 Renault Megane Dynamique from UK and Ireland - Comments

Water ingress in driver side door.

Won't start with clutch depressed.

Won't start with brake depressed.

Interior lights not working when doors are opened.

Electric window switch not fixed in securely and pulls out of the holder when switch is activated.

Boot switch dropped out of boot recess.

Brakes screeching (there is only 15% wear on them.

Paint or plastic runs on rear bumper.

Intermittent loss of power when pulling away and sometimes at motorway speeds (feels like fuel starvation)

Airbag and service light comes on when going over a bump and then stay one until the vehicle is switched off and restarted.

Warning on dashboard console states " Steering not locked" this only occurs when the airbag light is on after hitting a bump.

Airbag obviously not working.

Clunking noise in the gearbox when changing to 2nd from third and vice versa, told by the dealer to keep monitoring it, so I do, and it's still there.

Very very irritating rattle in the drivers side air vent in the dashboard, told by the Dealer to keep monitoring it, so I do, and it's still there. It goes away with the radio turned up really loud.

Uneven tire wear on passenger side rear trre.

Rain sensing wipers have a mind of there own. They often wipe when there is no rain and don't wipe when there is.

No response to email sent to Renault customer services sent 3 months ago.

Nice car to drive, when it works.

Good engine and stylish looks, pity Renault can't back it up with a little customer service.

Renault customer service and after sales Dealer service have just lost 2 customers.

My wife also has the same vehicle, it's a bit like buying matching jumpers, but they are a different colours. Her vehicle also has a multitude of sins.

I have had 2 Megane saloons. The first one was alright, but clearly had some faults probably with the electronics as the Remote did not work properly all the time I owned it. And early last year it developed serious faults with the automatic gearbox at just 30,000kms. What is worrying is that the Dealer tested this car with Renault's CLIP diagnostic computer, and confirmed it was perfectly OK. A few miles later the car developed serious problems - terminal warning lamps on repeatedly, locking itself into 3rd gear and smoke from the engine bay. The dealer again insisted there was nothing wrong with it, so I traded it in for another one with 12,000km on the clock.

One year later and I have the same warning lamps for the auto gearbox, and once again Renault insist there is nothign wrong with it.

I just escaped a £3000+ bill for a new gearbox last time, and I am fighting hard to get the gearbox replaced this time. BUT Renault are awful to deal with. The car has now been in the garage for two weeks. They will not answer email and seemingly will not honour their warranty.

I am afraid this is the last Renault I shall ever buy. The cars are still typically French - not very well built, and nowhere near as reliable as e.g. my BMW.

Be warned.

From Romania:

I own a Sedan-2 from October 2003 and I "enjoyed" all the problems the writer of the review mentioned. Moreover, after 5.000 kilometers I heard some noise in front suspension system: the car-service told me that this is a design or manufacturing problem; I have to change some wheel-bearings (thanks God the car is in warranty period).

Concerning Renault Customer Service: I tried to find some solution in France of a problem the dealer cannot solve it (or doesn't care to much). I received an answer saying: "Votre message a été transféré au service concerné, qui en assurera le traitement très prochainement." Still no other feedback! Same situation on local dealers. It is awful!

Next time I will try to buy a car for sure won't be Renault!

From Romania

I own a Megan Sedan from June this year and I have over 7000KM with it.

After 10 days since I bought it the CD-player broke down and I had to wait more than two months for the dealer to be able to replace it. They kept postponing me every week. I e-mailed the Customer Service from Renault twice, but no answer.

After 2000KM the dashboard started to rattle mostly in the its left side (driver's side) and it keeps doing that ever since.

After about 3-4000KM the left front wheel started to rattle mainly on poor roads.

Ever since I got this car I couldn't help noticing that it has an intermittent loss of power when pulling away and sometimes at motorway speeds (feels like fuel starvation).

Today I've noticed that water ingresses in the passenger side door.

Overall, I think it's a shame that this car isn't supported by quality after-sale customer service.

I also owned a corean car and an Opel Astra, but they are way bellow Megane's driving characteristics, comfort and performance.

It's a very good looking car, well equipped, good engine (mine it's a 1.6 16V petrol).

However, next time I'll buy a car it won't be a Renault.

I think all written above is from persons from a competitive company, the guys trying to show that there is nothing work, guys try to be more logic an more realistic,I have the car and I have no problem, it is the best choise for a car of it's class, be fair guys and say the truth.

Thanks.

"guys try to be more logic an more realistic, I have the car and I have no problem, it is the best choice for a car of it's class, be fair guys and say the truth."

Just because your car was fine, doesn't mean everyone else's is okay.. My mum has has 2 of the new megane's, and both have been awful heaps of rubbish. I would never buy one, and when she suggested I buy a clio I laughed at the suggestion. French cars are terrible and have been for a long time now.

Also it isn't the best car in its class, the new vauxhall astra is.

"Also it isn't the best car in its class, the new vauxhall astra is."

Not according to the reviews I've read. The mk2 Focus and mk5 Golf seem to consistently be declared winners in the magazine reviews. As for which of those two is best, I think that's a case of splitting hairs, and how much of a badge snob you are.

I have a 2003 Megane, and have had various problems with it over the 2 and a half years I've had it. First was the electronic chip for the engine timing going wonky, making the car engine stall in first and second gear. Second was the windows not closing properly. Then we had the airbag light coming on for no apparent reason.

Recently, we've noticed water ingression in the passengers side pocket, and the back wheels being very tail happy over very small objects on the road, ie a small manhole cover. Also the tire wear is atrocious. My last set of Michelins only lasted 7500 miles.

For a car with such a good engine, it's a shame the rest of it doesn't match. I wish I'd bought summat else now as I can't really afford to change cars at the moment...

I have a recurring problem with my Renault Megan. The HT leads keep burning through. The local Renault agent has been very good in trying to remedy the problem by replacing the leads several times. I had the coil replaced twice now and I had a new distributor cap. The car has been diagnosed with no fault showing. The problem has not been solved. Renault after sales have not been helpful. I am not in the position to change my car as yet, but when I do get another car it will not be a Renault.

I have Megane Dynamic that has worn the rear tyre on the outside edge (like a tracking error on front wheels).Renault say it only a bit out of limit and they are not prepared to change the axle. Its to near the end of the warranty. I had most of the other problems, door pocket full of water, rattles from the sun roof etc which they sorted, but they are not going to shift on the major one. I'm going into severe letter writing to force them to pay out on the warranty

Wish me luck.

I am planning to buy a Car. I am confused, which one of the following will be fine for Dubai Climate & Roads. It is a Renault Megana 2006 2.0 ltr Petrol / Ford Mondeo 2.0 ltr (both automatic gear)

If someone can share their views / experiences

+++++++

I have a megane 2003 with 36000 miles on the clock and not a thing has gone wrong with it, but it is a 1.4. I think most of the problems are associated with all the other engines so if you want a megane buy a 1.4.

I bought a brand new Megane Dynamique 16V in Sept 2004 - my first ever brand new car and have lived to regret the day ever since! Problems have included clutch sensor breaking, coils needing replacing (heat damage), water ingression in front passenger door pooling in front floor pocket, knocking noise & electrical faults on the sunroof, front offside indicator unit failing, & latest squealing brakes! I have only done 15,000 miles. It is a real pity that Renault have such poor build quality & customer service as the car itself is fun to drive... needless to say now the warranty is due to expire I plan to sell it and replace it with something much more reliable, like a Honda!