Engine light on, overconsumption of engine oil, loss of power or even engine breakage while driving… Between 2012 and 2016, drivers of Gasoline Renault, Dacia and even Nissan vehicles many reported these recurring engine-related problems, despite having fewer kilometers driven.
The Facebook group “Renault/Nissan 1.2 TCe & DIG-T engine breakage” was also created to warn of the risk run by the owners of these vehicles. The page currently brings together nearly 5,000 members.
“Hidden defect”
Tuesday, January 11, a collective action against the Renault group was launched to obtain justice from the manufacturer, accused of “hidden defect”. At its head, the Toulouse lawyer Christophe Leguevaques, creator of the class action platform Myleo.legal. He asks Renault to “be accountable and face up to its responsibilities”, in a video published on Monday.
He plans to give formal notice to the group on April 7, 2022 and aspire to amicable negotiations with the automaker. In the event of Renault’s refusal, the lawyer will engage in procedures so that the manufacturer is recognized criminally guilty, with payment of damages.
Renault knows it very well, for years they have sold cars equipped with a stale engine, which is already extremely serious, but the worst is based on the risk of serious accidents for drivers, “said Me Lèguevaques.
What flaws?
“The problem concerns the 1.2 TCE and DIG-T petrol engines, which would have manufacturing defects” explains the lawyer. They were installed between 2012 and 2016 in the Clio 4, Mégane 3, Kadjar and Kangoo 2 at Renault, in the Duster, Dokker and Lodgy at Dacia, and finally in the Juke and Qashqai 2 at Nissan.
On the Facebook group “Renault/Nissan 1.2 TCe & DIG-T engine breakage”, drivers share daily the problems encountered with their vehicle.
Big scandal in sight?
Around 400,000 vehicles would be affected according to calculations by the UFC-Que Choisir association, which had already sounded the alarm in 2019. She also revealed that the group had been aware of the problems since 2015 and had “written internal memos on the subject”. However, the affected cars were not recalled and customers struggle to benefit from support or compensation.
Contacted by The Independent Opinionthe Renault group defends :
From 2019, support has been set up with our customers to carry out a diagnosis on vehicles whose engines have been produced between October 2012 and June 2016. If the diagnosis revealed an action to be taken, it was taken care of by Renault. It was case by case. The initiative is still open. On the other hand, no compensation is on the agenda,” explains Guillaume Jolit, group communications director.
Right now, victims of these failing motors are wondering if this action, dubbed “Motorgate”, will have the same impact as the “dieselgate” of the Volkswagen group. The French manufacturer recalls that to date, no official or judicial notification has been issued by the Toulouse lawyer, Me Christophe Lèguevaques.
In addition, among the 400,000 vehicles concerned worldwide, and the 133,000 in France, a tiny part has problems with excessive engine oil consumption. “We are far from the 10 million vehicles affected by Volkswagen’s “Dieselgate”” assures Guillaume Jolit.
Currently, 25 plaintiffs took part in the class action appeal and others could join them by March 7.
