Renault Scenic instrument panel problems

Lymmbo

I own a Renault Scenic 1.9 dynamique which is 3 years and 10 months old with 51100 miles on the clock, (estimated). Whilst driving it in France on Tuesday morning, the clock (time) and tripometer kept going back to zero. I reset the clock time about 4 times and eventually the dash board lights started to dim and brighten and then the display went completely blank. I managed to get on our ferry (luckily as we were coming home) then rang the RAC who could not fix it and they brought me back on a low loader. The biggest problem is that I couldn't tell what speed I was doing and no warning lights were displayed, eg indicators, lights etc.

The RAC took it to the Renault garage where I bought it from inititally and have been quoted the cost of replacing the intrument panel is £533.16, this was after some haggling when the original price quoted was £563.27. They said it consisted of 1 hour labour to identify the problem and 1 hour to fix, the remainder being the part which is £410.96.

I rang Renault to complain and to say that although the warranty had run out Iwould expect a car part like this to last longer than the normal 3 years. They said that they were not prepared to guarantee longer than the 3 years and that it was not a known problem with this model of car, even though I found a similar problem when investigating on the internet. I was provided with a case reference number.

The garage advised that they needed to know by 17:00 last night in order to fix for today as they needed to order the part. I gave them the go ahead and at 10:10 this morning received a phone call to say it was ready for collection.

I am mistified as to how if this is not a common problem the car part is so readily available and also would I have a claim in the small courts for parts not suitable for purpose.

Any help and or advice will be much appreciated:mad:

ilhana

Hi we also have a scenic and the dashboard went out the same age as yours nealy 4 years old only 25000 miles i found out what the fault was but renault customer service haha still wanted a diagoses to be carried out at my expense to see if they would do anything for us. so we did so and now we have been told that they wont pay 1penny towards the repair and i have paid twice for the diagnoses and still have to pay for the repair and part did you get any help?

harveybobbles

It's been a common fault on Renaults from around 2001.
You could get a 2nd hand dash pod and have the mileage transfered.

lincroft1710

That's the trouble with all these multifunctional modern digital display marvels - they go wrong. Test drove an 04 reg Scenic last year, not impressed by dashboard layout and didn't really like car so didn't buy. BTW that's how car makers make money - on spares. Oh for the days of the Morris Minor and original Mini - circular speedo with needle, fuel gauge at bottom mileometer in middle and a few switches/knobs below speedo.

Lymmbo

Hi Ilhana
No we didn't get any help from Renault,

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

I do hope you got the old one from them, and kept it - because these things can nearly always be repaired, and cheaply. Once repaired, you could put it on Ebay and make some of the money back.

goldspanners

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

I do hope you got the old one from them, and kept it - because these things can nearly always be repaired, and cheaply. Once repaired, you could put it on Ebay and make some of the money back.

this is a good point,if the problem is common then someone will know exactly which part is failing on the display,probably just a 2 pence resistor.

Lymmbo

Unfortunately I didn't get the old one back. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.:o :mad:

jeannieblue

If it were me, and I'm a grumpy old (ish) woman - I would really push it to Renault Customer Relations. Keep all evidence that you have or can get - ie print earlier poster who had same fault, and others on Renault forum - keep pushing, no one likes bad publicity.

I don't mean pushing the dealer - I mean Renault themselves. Don't give in and sit back and take it! Sounds like a recognised fault. Whenever I have to order parts that I think are not 'regular' and they have them on the shelf - well, says it all really - and, if I have this correct, they got them for a Saturday!!! Got to be a common fault surely.

Won't hurt to mention that you could/will also be contacting various orgs - consumer direct/trading standards/FSA - or whatever..

Good Luck.

Lymmbo

Hi Jeannieblue
Thanks for the advice, I am preparing a complete dosier, then hoping to take it from there. The car was fixed on Thursday morning, ready for 10:10 after giving them the go ahead at 16:45 the previous night, as they had to order the part by 17:00 in order to have it the following morning.

FEDUP2_2

ilhana wrote: »

Hi we also have a scenic and the dashboard went out the same age as yours nealy 4 years old only 25000 miles i found out what the fault was but renault customer service haha still wanted a diagoses to be carried out at my expense to see if they would do anything for us. so we did so and now we have been told that they wont pay 1penny towards the repair and i have paid twice for the diagnoses and still have to pay for the repair and part did you get any help?

Hello ilhana :- Did you say you know what the fault is on the Scenic dashboard, ours is doing the same and the dealer and Renault Customer Service are useless. If you know what component is failing I may be able to fix it, or it is going to be an expensive bill.
This fault appears to be more prevelant than Renault let on it is getting more common as time goes on. Thanks FEDUP2