Clio Bonnet Recall - Incident happened

facade

Happened to me once, about 30 years ago, on a Rover P6 the alloy bonnet simply folded right back to touch the roof, I ended up trying to steer with my head out of the window. Ever since then, I make certain that the safety catch is present, lubricated and actually works.

The bonnet recall is not showing on the VOSA recalls database
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp
but there is a rather disturbing list of other faults...

misssarahleigh

facade wrote: »

Happened to me once, about 30 years ago, on a Rover P6 the alloy bonnet simply folded right back to touch the roof, I ended up trying to steer with my head out of the window. Ever since then, I make certain that the safety catch is present, lubricated and actually works.

The bonnet recall is not showing on the VOSA recalls database
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp
but there is a rather disturbing list of other faults...

VOSA have specified it hasn't been 'recalled', Renault have just agreed to post 'Safety advice'. I did ask the VOSA man, does that mean every car company is going to issue this letter, the answer was no, then why only Clio's? The reply was silence.

worried_jim

Richard53

misssarahleigh wrote: »

Renault are accepting no liability for this at all. In their words

There isn't a fault
It's all the owners fault for not maintaining the catch.

The bonnet catch is a safety-critical part, as you have discovered. That's why bonnet catches are designed to 'fail safe', usually with a two-stage mechanism where the second catch (often a crude metal hook) will hold the bonnet if the first one fails.

Yours did not fail safe, and therefore is a faulty design.

As others have said, not many people bother to check and lube the bonnet catch as part of their weekly checks, and yet bonnet catch failures are almost unheard-of. Except for one model, of one manufacturer. Strange coincidence.

pulliptears

People are still receiving recall notices however, these are for re checks at this point. I had one a few months ago and questioned why with my local dealer. I was told that cars would continue to be checked every few years.

Personally I still maintain that checking the Bonnet catch should be part of the routine home maintenance on any car.

ILW

If it had been dealer serviced, you would most likely have had a claim against the dealer.

What has the guy that did service it have to say for himself?

pcguy

I had 2 of the recorded letters for my Clio, when it went in for some unrelated work at Renault, they replaced the entire catch free of charge.

pulliptears

pcguy wrote: »

I had 2 of the recorded letters for my Clio, when it went in for some unrelated work at Renault, they replaced the entire catch free of charge.

I was told that with the newer 're checks' should they find a problem with the catch they are now charging £95 to replace.

misssarahleigh

pulliptears wrote: »

People are still receiving recall notices however, these are for re checks at this point. I had one a few months ago and questioned why with my local dealer. I was told that cars would continue to be checked every few years.

Personally I still maintain that checking the Bonnet catch should be part of the routine home maintenance on any car.

ILW wrote: »

If it had been dealer serviced, you would most likely have had a claim against the dealer.

What has the guy that did service it have to say for himself?

The car was purchased second hand. I cannot say what type of service it got before the partner had it but I can actually say that the catch was checked a week before the incident when the car was having some work done on the break pads.

As I understand it their are two issues. One is corrosion, which can be spotted by rust etc and the other is when the catch seizes, which doesn't leave nor show any physical evidence. To look at the catch after the event it looked in good shape (apart from the smashed up car that is).

The Catch is checked on the MOT as a matter of course, but that doesn't mean it isn't going to fail.

As for, Personally I still maintain that checking the Bonnet catch should be part of the routine home maintenance on any car

although I understand the theory of this, before this event I have NEVER heard ANYONE talk about a bonnet catch. I can change my oil, water, check tyres, etc etc, however, I don't have the knowledge to check these types of parts. Not only that, but they were checked, and without a physical sign of malfunction there is little that can be done. The car was serviced and MOT'ed, well maintained and in good working order. I don't believe any amount of checking the catch could have avoided this issue.

If it had been dealer serviced, you would most likely have had a claim against the dealer.

Not true. For those that have been able to prove a full service history Renault have simple stated that the bonnet was not closed 'in accordance with manufactures advice' the last time it was opened. The car owner cannot prove the bonnet was correctly closed, and since VOSA have agreed that the car isn't faulty Renault won't take the blame.

Richard53

You: The bonnet catch has failed.

Renault: You can't have maintained it properly.

You: But it was maintained by your dealer network.

Renault: Then you haven't closed it properly.

- Theoretical: -

You: But I have video evidence of my closing it properly on the day in question.

Renault: Then it was the wrong phase of the moon. Nothing to do with us.

Utterly disgraceful attitude.