Renault Faces Court Action over Faulty 1.2-liter Engines
French automaker, Renault, could face criminal prosecution over claims it has sold cars with major engine faults.
A group of disgruntled customers plans to lodge a criminal complaint against the carmaker next week, the group’s lawyer told Reuters. The customers say vehicles purchased should have been recalled when the carmaker discovered an issue with the 1.2-liter engine used in 400,000 vehicles in Europe between 2012 and 2016.
Renault has acknowledged the engine was consuming too much oil and that 133,050 vehicles in France were potentially affected but also said there was no safety risk, something that the customer group disputes. The complaint, first reported by Le Parisien newspaper, will be filed with the Nanterre criminal court, with claims ranging from “aggravated deceit, questionable business practices” to “fraud” and “endangering the life of others”, said the group’s lawyer, Christophe Leguevaques.
He added: “We are going to file a complaint on Monday on behalf of at least several dozen people,” adding many more owners of Renault vehicles, as well as those of its Dacia brand and partner Nissan, could join the move. The decision to file the complaint follows unsuccessful discussions between Renault and the plaintiffs over the faulty engines.
“The Renault Group never stopped and continues reviewing demands that it is receiving,” the spokesperson said. A spokesperson for Nissan, which produces some models with Renault, said it was “supporting any customers that may experience engine noise, misfiring, low power, or over consumption of oil under our warranty and customer support policies”.
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
