Renault warranty, advice?

wexfordman2

Hi,

Looking for some advice on issues around warranty on a Renault Fluence (132) which we purchased from dealer, nearly new.

History
Car bought from dealer, nearly new.
Car has full Renault service History.
Warranty expired last October.

Issues with Car. In the time we have owned the car, the following items have failed, and been replaced under warranty.

2 X Anti Roll Bar Links
Timing belt (went early at 120,000km on the dot).
Wiper UPC
EGR Valve
Drivers Window regulator.

In addition, we reported, within the warranty period to other issues with the car
1) Passenger side window getting stuck)
2) Gear change problems (generally gear stick getting stuck changing from 2nd to 3rd and back down again

Item 1 above, I think they greased/oiled the window at the time.
Item 2, they said that they could not find anything (it was an intermittent problem),

Now that the warranty has run out, last month, the passenger side regulator has failed, and the gears are now getting stuck regularly between 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

Despite me reporting both of these issues while the car was under warranty, Renault are now saying that the car is out of warranty, and is not covered. I appealed this direct with renault customer support, and they have also said that the issue is not covered, as the car is no longer under warranty..


So, looking for a few bits of info/advice.

1) The gears, does this sound like a serious (expensive) problem, any hints as to what it may be or cost.
2) The regulator for the window is going to cost 360 euro to replace/repair.


Does anyone think Renault have a case to answer for, seeing as I reported the issue to them prior to the warranty expiring ? Any advise on how I can pursue them ?

With regards reliability, to think that a car has had that many problems, I would caution people against purchasing a new renault (which I was considering doing myself, as they did seem to at least cover the items under warranty).

So the list of issues again are

2 x Anti Roll bars replaced
Timing belt went at 120k (due to be replaced at 140k I think)
Wiper UPC
EGR Valve
Drivers Side Window Regulator
Passenger side Window regulator
Gears now going/gone.

Items in red, renault are refusing to fix as warranty expired, despite me reporting issues when in warranty.

Thanks,
Eamon

Audioslaven

post up on their facebook site about your issue. They don't like bad press.

swarlb

Audioslaven wrote: »

post up on their facebook site about your issue. They don't like bad press.

In fairness, Renault have stood by warranty with the car, so little need to 'shame'
On the two items that are giving problems. When were they reported ? Was it just prior to the warranty running out or some time before, days, weeks, months ?
Regarding those 2 items, when they were reported, and the car was returned , did they fail again straight away, or some time afterwards, again, days, weeks, months.
If you were not happy with the repairs at the time, that was the time to question the dealer in question.
It would do no harm to go back to the dealership and ask if there could be some goodwill regarding repairs.
Posting up on facebook is one sure way of not getting any !

wexfordman2

swarlb wrote: »

In fairness, Renault have stood by warranty with the car, so little need to 'shame'
On the two items that are giving problems. When were they reported ? Was it just prior to the warranty running out or some time before, days, weeks, months ?
Regarding those 2 items, when they were reported, and the car was returned , did they fail again straight away, or some time afterwards, again, days, weeks, months.
If you were not happy with the repairs at the time, that was the time to question the dealer in question.
It would do no harm to go back to the dealership and ask if there could be some goodwill regarding repairs.
Posting up on facebook is one sure way of not getting any !

The window issue, they added extra lubricant which resolved it, temporarily now it seems. I'd it was the first one to go in the car, hen fsir enough, but that's two of them.

The gearbix issue, inreported to them last January (warranty expired last October). They checked it out and drove it to see if they could see it happen, and they said they could find no issue.

I reported it again next service, and same reply, but it was getting progressively worse.

Warranty ran out in October, and gearbox issue got worse still and I went back in to the garage, when the passenger side window went again on me and then said it's not good enough and the gear issue is getting worse .

They said to contact renault myself to plead on the warranty side of things which I did before Christmas to no avail.

The garage recalled me complaining abiut it within the warranty period and told Renault this, they backed me up with the truth.

Toyotafanboi

Audioslaven wrote: »

post up on their facebook site about your issue. They don't like bad press.

swarlb wrote: »

In fairness, Renault have stood by warranty with the car, so little need to 'shame'
...
Posting up on facebook is one sure way of not getting any !

I agree. Any garage I've worked for has had a rule of not bending over to Facebook ranters. It'd set an awful precedent of having to give in to anyone who threatens to go "social media" on you. Not everyone will be 100% happy, 100% of the time and that's unfortunately it.

I'd also agree though that this needs to be escalated. I'd ask for the email address of the service manager in the dealership you've been dealing with and sent them a cool, calm email outlining the issues and the timeframes and ask them for their assistance.

If they have a record of your complaint on an old job card etc that may be enough to plead your case, whether it be getting goodwill from the garage for being a loyal service customer or from Renault directly.

When I was with Renault a few years ago, the final few years of their warranties were with an external insurance company not Renault Group themselves and it was all too easy for the company to give a "computer says no" style answer to anything outside the box as really Renault was their customer, not the vehicle owner so they didn't really care if you were unimpressed.

Audioslaven

I don't mean ranting. I know of one instance where a post to the car makers facebook account (not a public post) and a reply was returned looking for the posters details so they could look at the issue. It went straight to the makers main office rather that through the dealer network. It ended up that they got 50% off the cost.

I would not be happy because you mentioned these issues while in warranty (they have not stood by their warranty, only plugged a hole for a while) and it only went bang now especially when this is the case
History

• Car bought from dealer, nearly new.
• Car has full Renault service History.
• Warranty expired last October.

Henry Ford III

Anti roll bar links are wear and tear items. Not covered.

Audioslaven

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Anti roll bar links are wear and tear items. Not covered.

Yes but they can get covered if they fail within a short space of time/low kms. I think it is reasonable to expect them to last a certain length of time/kms.
I did get one roll bar link covered under warranty on a Citroen a few years back.

Henry Ford III

Audioslaven wrote: »

Yes but they can get covered if they fail within a short space of time/low kms. I think it is reasonable to expect them to last a certain length of time/kms.
I did get one roll bar link covered under warranty on a Citroen a few years back.

Car is a 132 though.

Hurrache

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

When I was with Renault a few years ago, the final few years of their warranties were with an external insurance company not Renault Group themselves

I think they were the extended 2 years on top of the standard 3 year warranty offered by them at the time which you could pay for yourself. I think once they moved to 5 years all 5 years were the manufacturers warranty?

wexfordman2

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Car is a 132 though.

The links were replaced very early in the cars life, the list if issues I gave we're over the 5yr warranty period.

slave1

Lesson here is you should have been more assertive during your warranty period, I understand the issues were reported during warranty period but you took the car back. The car is now out of warranty.
There's a reason I stopped buying Renault a long time ago

Henry Ford III

wexfordman2 wrote: »

The links were replaced very early in the cars life, the list if issues I gave we're over the 5yr warranty period.

No warranty will cover suspension wear over 3 or 4 years surely?

kala85

As a matter of interest what mileage is on the car and what mileage was on the car last october when the warranty ran out.

When the timing belt went did it do damage to the engine?

punisher5112

Would it not be a good idea to get the gearbox checked by a specialist.

It may well be something as simple as oil/lubricant.

Hellrazer

In all fairness the OP did report the issues while inside warranty.Having worked for numerous franchises some are better than others when it comes to covering items like the OPs and some will cover stuff that was reported while inside warranty and failed subsequently -- not forever mind you but a few months outside.

Id keep pushing for goodwill if I was the OP or as Toyotafanboi says get in touch with the garage and get them to dig out the old job cards. Ask (nicely) for copies of them and scan and email them to the manufacturer (assuming they have noted the issues on the job cards previously)

Whatever you do don't go in guns blazing ,screaming Joe duffy at the dealership otherwise they`ll just stick to their guns and keep saying tough your warranty is out.

A calm rational case with proof that you reported it inside the warranty period will get you further.

kala85

Hellrazer wrote: »

In all fairness the OP did report the issues while inside warranty.Having worked for numerous franchises some are better than others when it comes to covering items like the OPs and some will cover stuff that was reported while inside warranty and failed subsequently -- not forever mind you but a few months outside.

.

Does it depend on the franchise to cover the warranty?

I would have thought that the franchise would have been reimbursed over any warranty issues directly from the manufacturer or are they only reimbursed for a certain percentage.

Hellrazer

kala85 wrote: »

Does it depend on the franchise to cover the warranty?

I would have thought that the franchise would have been reimbursed over any warranty issues directly from the manufacturer or are they only reimbursed for a certain percentage.

I don't understand what youre asking?

Or maybe I wasn't that clear--I probably should have said that some "manufacturers" (and not used the word franchises) are better are covering goodwill warranties than others.

wexfordman2

Hellrazer wrote: »

I don't understand what youre asking?

Or maybe I wasn't that clear--I probably should have said that some "manufacturers" (and not used the word franchises) are better are covering goodwill warranties than others.

Well, renault certainly not doing any favours, was probably looking at replacing this one later this year, or next, and tbh, the poor response/absolute failure to deal with this, even though it was initially reported wihtin warranty period, aint doing them any favours.

Between that, and to be honest, overall reliability issues with this car, the only saving grace was the initial 5 yr warranty. I now understand why the wont go to a 7 yr warranty, cos I fully expect this car to fall to pieces within the next 2 years based on past performance.

To summarise again folks, items failed within warranty and replaced

2 x drop links
Timing Belt
Fuel valve
Wiper Motor
Window regulator.

Items failed within warranty, but not acknowledged by renault, and refused warranty repair after 2 month expiry of warranty

Second window regulator.
Gear issues (cause unknown).

galwaytt

wexfordman2 wrote: »

Well, renault certainly not doing any favours, was probably looking at replacing this one later this year, or next, and tbh, the poor response/absolute failure to deal with this, even though it was initially reported wihtin warranty period, aint doing them any favours.

Between that, and to be honest, overall reliability issues with this car, the only saving grace was the initial 5 yr warranty. I now understand why the wont go to a 7 yr warranty, cos I fully expect this car to fall to pieces within the next 2 years based on past performance.

To summarise again folks, items failed within warranty and replaced

2 x drop links
Timing Belt
Fuel valve
Wiper Motor
Window regulator.

Items failed within warranty, but not acknowledged by renault, and refused warranty repair after 2 month expiry of warranty

Second window regulator.
Gear issues (cause unknown).

In fairness, bar maybe the wiper motor, all those other parts are consumables : ask any motor factors what their biggest sellers are and for what models and your list and VAG would be well up there.....and no 5 yr warranty from them either.....

wexfordman2

galwaytt wrote: »

In fairness, bar maybe the wiper motor, all those other parts are consumables : ask any motor factors what their biggest sellers are and for what models and your list and VAG would be well up there.....and no 5 yr warranty from them either.....

A five year warranty is SOLD with the car, it is what you pay for, it's what I bought, it was the main reason i purchased

I

grogi

galwaytt wrote: »

In fairness, bar maybe the wiper motor, all those other parts are consumables : ask any motor factors what their biggest sellers are and for what models and your list and VAG would be well up there.....and no 5 yr warranty from them either.....

Timing belt has service intervals. Outside of them it is not consumable item.

Fuel valve is not consumable

Regulators are not consumable

Wiper motor is not consumable


Car has only few constable items: lubricants and other fluids, filters, belts, tyres, pads and rotors. Anything else is not.

colm_mcm

Window regs are consumables on Renaults.

EPAndlee

colm_mcm wrote: »

Window regs are consumables on Renaults.

Was the best selling part for the Laguna

grogi

colm_mcm wrote: »

Window regs are consumables on Renaults.

touché

Audioslaven

wexfordman2 wrote: »

A five year warranty is SOLD with the car, it is what you pay for, it's what I bought, it was the main reason i purchased

I

If the dealer is not budging there is feck all you can do but bite the cost of the repair. I had this bull**** with Citroen with wiper motors, window regulators and the final nail was the steering rack. I will not touch french cars again as I just can't stand these constant crappy issues coming along but granted I never had any gearbox issues.

I have a Honda/Lexus now in the house and it is like night and day.

wexfordman2

Audioslaven wrote: »

If the dealer is not budging there is feck all you can do but bite the cost of the repair. I had this bull**** with Citroen with wiper motors, window regulators and the final nail was the steering rack. I will not touch french cars again as I just can't stand these constant crappy issues coming along but granted I never had any gearbox issues.

I have a Honda/Lexus now in the house and it is like night and day.

Got a letter from simi, saying nothing they can do as it's an issue with the manufacturer.

Have the regulator booked in for replacement, has to be done. The gears, annoyingly are working fine again now, but no doubt they will cause problems again.

Small claims court would appear to be my route, but certainly won't be buying a Renault again.

galwaytt

colm_mcm wrote: »

Window regs are consumables on Renaults.

And Passat.

galwaytt

grogi wrote: »

Timing belt has service intervals. Outside of them it is not consumable item.

Fuel valve is not consumable

Regulators are not consumable

Wiper motor is not consumable


Car has only few constable items: lubricants and other fluids, filters, belts, tyres, pads and rotors. Anything else is not.

They are all wearing parts and you're 100% wrong on the timing belt. The wiper motor I grant you is odd.

grogi

galwaytt wrote: »

They are all wearing parts and you're 100% wrong on the timing belt.

The whole car wears down - that doesn't make it a consumable...

There are some parts that wear down faster or slower depending on the driving style (exp. clutch) or driving conditions (exp. suspension parts). And for that reason they are often excluded from warranty cover. But it doesn't make them consumable.

Timing belt is consumable - true - but only at particular service intervals. You are only supposed to change it at certain mileage/age. If it fails earlier - it is not a consumable being consumed, it is a regular manufacturer f...up.

bucketybuck

wexfordman2 wrote: »

To summarise again folks, items failed within warranty and replaced

2 x drop links
Timing Belt
Fuel valve
Wiper Motor
Window regulator.

Items failed within warranty, but not acknowledged by renault, and refused warranty repair after 2 month expiry of warranty

You won't like it but to be honest, thats not a big list of repairs in 5 years, if thats all that went wrong in 5 years then its probably not be too bad a car at all.

I've seen vehicles with warranty histories a mile long, some real lemons from the likes of Mercedes or Land Rover that caused misery for their owners.

Honestly, your car is out of warranty, and I don't see much there in the history worthy of requiring any special goodwill or extended warranty. A few repairs done but every car gets a few repairs done, thats a simple fact in a piece of machinery with thousands of parts.

Its now a 6 year old car, there will probably be more work needs done later down the line as well, the manufacturer has to draw the line somewhere.

Oh, and a letter to or from SIMI isn't worth dick to any garage, they don't care about SIMI.

wexfordman2

galwaytt wrote: »

They are all wearing parts and you're 100% wrong on the timing belt. The wiper motor I grant you is odd.

The timing belt went well before it was due for replacement, hence it being replaced under warranty

EPAndlee

wexfordman2 wrote: »

The timing belt went well before it was due for replacement, hence it being replaced under warranty

Did it snapped or did the dealer suggest you change it? Some dealers says it has to be changed at 120k and some say 160k or every 5 years

wexfordman2

EPAndlee wrote: »

Did it snapped or did the dealer suggest you change it? Some dealers says it has to be changed at 120k and some say 160k or every 5 years

It was uncanny, at exactly 120,000 kilometres (and I mean, exactly, the last 0 had just come in to view), the engine started making a rattling noise. We were close to the dealer, so drove straight there, and they checked it and the belt was hanging on just about

It wasn't due for replacement they said, and we're very surprised to see it happen.

Henry Ford III

wexfordman2 wrote: »

It was uncanny, at exactly 120,000 kilometres (and I mean, exactly, the last 0 had just come in to view), the engine started making a rattling noise. We were close to the dealer, so drove straight there, and they checked it and the belt was hanging on just about

It wasn't due for replacement they said, and we're very surprised to see it happen.

You were quite fortunate there.

wexfordman2

Henry Ford III wrote: »

You were quite fortunate there.

That's what the Renault dealer said to me. I corrected him though, it was Renault that were lucky seeing as I was still in warranty at the time and it had full Renault service history :-)

grogi

wexfordman2 wrote: »

That's what the Renault dealer said to me. I corrected him though, it was Renault that were lucky seeing as I was still in warranty at the time and it had full Renault service history :-)

It is always less hassle to bring a car that is working than a car that completely broke down. You were fortunate because you didn't loose much more time.

galwaytt

wexfordman2 wrote: »

It was uncanny, at exactly 120,000 kilometres (and I mean, exactly, the last 0 had just come in to view), the engine started making a rattling noise. We were close to the dealer, so drove straight there, and they checked it and the belt was hanging on just about

It wasn't due for replacement they said, and we're very surprised to see it happen.

It is due at 120k kms - I have one.

wexfordman2

galwaytt wrote: »

It is due at 120k kms - I have one.

Not according to our renault.dealer, it went early

galwaytt

wexfordman2 wrote: »

Not according to your renault.dealer, it went early

No-one is infallible - not even a Renault Dealer :pac:

Hurrache

wexfordman2 wrote: »

Not according to your renault.dealer, it went early

Wouldn't be so sure. Don't see what engine the op has but assume it's a 1.5dci, the most common, then the interval I've seen is 120,000.