Defective car software

Moonraker49

In April of last year I purchased a brand new Renault Clio (my 3rd new car) from a main dealer in Cheshire. The car's spec listed (the now dreaded) Stop/Start system. All was well until around November 2017 when the system didn't work more often than it did. I then started to get warning messages on the drivers display unit saying I needed to check the system which meant it had to go back to the dealers under warranty. To cut a very long story short the last time it was "repaired" was 3 weeks ago but the same message is now constantly on the dashboard. I have had extended contact with both customer care and the finance dept at Renault who are basically saying "live with it". I either want to reject the car or be given an equal replacement that does not have this fault. What can I do?

uknick

Is this a common problem on the Clio model you've got?

Moonraker49

I honestly don't know. My previous Clio didn't have that system.

facade

clio stop start fault gets 704,000 hits on google.....

Can you not simply disable the stop start?

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

Does the message on the dashboard obscure other information? Can you clear it or does it sit there permanently?

Have they replaced or checked the battery? The most basic problem with stop start systems is battery condition. Obviously, a battery problem on a newish car seems unlikely but it may be that they have not properly spec'd the battery for the job. Aside from that, there are a long list of checks that the car does to decide whether to enable stop start, and any one of those could have a glitching sensor.

Sounds entirely unacceptable to have an unfixable fault on a car less than one year old. If they are refusing to fix it, then it is affecting the resaleability of the car: you should insist that they pay a substantial amount to cover the loss of economy (after all it was sold as being more economical because of stop start so they cannot then turn around and say it makes no difference - note down any answers they give in refusing such a suggestion ready for an ASA complaint) and for the loss of value as it would have to be sold with an obvious fault. This number should be as high or higher than the value they put in attempting to repair. I'd also complain about being mis-sold a warranty where they acknowledge a fault in design or manufacture yet are refusing to fix it.

My guess is that they either simply have looked at the codes and found no help so given up, or they cannot be bothered to work through all the sensors one by one to identify the problem. From the Internet, it is obvious that the system is quirky, so I would expect by now that Renault should have enough information to understand where the fault normally lies but it seems to be a problem across their range.

I would suggest to them that if they cannot fix the fault and are refusing to fix the fault then they should buy back the car at a premium rate reflecting its mileage and condition and the inconvenience you have had.

Moonraker49

The car is going in next week for the 3rd time in 3 months (with exactly the same fault). The visual display warns "Check Stop and Start" The override rocker switch is disabled at the same time. I have spoken at length to Renault customer care at their HQ and whilst being "sympathetic" they are intimating there is no inherent fault with the system. I broached the question of rejecting the car to which they said "No" it is outside the 6 month period. I also asked for a non Stop/Start replacement which at present they are declining. If, as I expect, the current "repair" does not fix the problem I will have to escalate the complaint to the Ombudsman. Renault MUST know their is a fundamental problem as when it went in the 1st time I was given a photocopied sheet of paper showing 17 reasons it may not work (when wipers/lights/radio etc are on) and also saying a complete list can be found in the full specification book with the car.
I really appreciate everyones help and will keep you updated with the on going situation

wgl2014

Bear in mind that stop start systems will only operate in certain circumstances, the list you were given presumably shows when it won't.
The actual benefit of these systems is debatable, small reduction in fuel used and a possible increase in wear on the engine. AIUI the main advantages are reducing emissions in stop go traffic and blagging EU tests!

Lucky_Duck_2

There is a difference between the system choosing not to stop/start and the error message the OP is reporting

forgotmyname

Winter so your using more electrical items and the battery voltage drops a little more and the stop start decides its not worth the risk of a flat battery and disables itself?

wongataa

forgotmyname wrote: »

Winter so your using more electrical items and the battery voltage drops a little more and the stop start decides its not worth the risk of a flat battery and disables itself?

If stop/start decides to disable itself due to electrical load etc it doesn't show error messages to the driver. If you are getting error messages there is something wrong with the system.

jimmy_cricket

I had stop start in a nine year old mini with a nine year old battery. The only !!!8216;problem !!!8216; was that it stopped switching the engine off as the battery degraded.

Never had one error message from it