Renault Scenic reliability
The Renault Scenic fails its MOT more often than most cars over 10 years old: 47.8% of 30,910 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.
17 DVSA recalls for the Renault Scenic
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Risk of parking brake actuator failing
For certain vehicles a concern involving the electric traction reducer parking brake mechanism actuator or gearbox engagement actuator within the transmission may result in the parking brake mechanism actuator no longer correctly positioning the locking pawl in the “P lock”.
Fix: Replacement of the electric traction reducer parking brake mechanism actuator or gearbox Engagement Actuator.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 40 vehicles
NOx SENSOR WAS NOT CORRECTLY TIGHTENED DURING MANUFACTURE
NOx sensor was not correctly tightened during manufacture on the production line
Fix: Tighten the NOx sensor to 32 Nm
Recalled models: SCENIC · 116 vehicles
Side air curtain may not deploy
The curtain airbag (one or both side) may not deploy in the event of a side impact because the pyrotechnic mix ratio in the ignitor could be incorrect..
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check the serial number of the curtain airbag. Replace airbag if required.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 610 vehicles
Rear bolts on front seat runner may not be torqued correctly
The bolts that hold the front seats to the floor may not be correctly tightened. This may cause the seat to become insecure and control of the vehicle to be compromised. Prior to failure there will be increased movement of the seat when getting in and out of the vehicle which should be noticeable to the driver.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check and where necessary adjust the torque tightening of the rear bolts on the front seat runners.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 217 vehicles
Engine power and/or braking efficiency may be affected
On affected vehicles the drive to brake vacuum pump may fail. This may cause a loss of brake servo assistance and a hard brake pedal. It may also cause a reduction in engine power.
Fix: Check the manufacture date of the vacuum pump and where necessary replace the pump.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 527 vehicles
Unexpected application of parking brake
The parking brake may apply without input from the driver as a result of a programming error.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check and where necessary reprogramme the electronic parking brake computer.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 66,735 vehicles
Possible loss of power assistance to the steering
Power assistance to the steering might be lost because of a problem in the software.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to reprogramme the ECU.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 34,403 vehicles
Front seats may not lock into position
There is a possibility that the seat back of the front seats may become difficult to adjust and or not lock into position.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check that all welding to the seat back frame is present. If the welds are not all present then the seat back frame will be replaced.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 5,354 vehicles
Brakes may fail
It has been identified that the possibility exists that the stop for the foot brake pedal collapse system is missing. This can result in the loss of braking efficiency when the brake pedal is at full travel.
Fix: Recalled vehicles will be inspected for the presence of the brake pedal collapse system stop and where this is found to be missing the brake pedal will be replaced.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 57,995 vehicles
Seat belt stalk may detach
It is possible under certain conditions for the seatbelt stalk fixings on the first row of rear seats to become loose.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to remove the bolts retaining the stalks of the affected seatbelts. Thread adhesive is to be applied to the bolts then the bolts are to be refitted and torqued.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 93,289 vehicles
Possible loss of brake power assistance
Non air conditioned Megane and Scenics equipped with K4J or K4M engines with a pre-catalytic convertor fitted may have a hard brake pedal (lack of braking assistance). This is caused by the deterioration of the braking assistance pipe as it passes too close to the source of heat emitted by the pre-catalytic convertor.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles and replace and/or reroute the brake assistance (vacuum) pipe.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 11,960 vehicles
Engine hesitation and idling concern
Vehicles fitted with 1.4 16v engines and having the MGI motorised throttle housing and Sirius 34 injection computer may have engine hesitation and idling speed instability. This due to incorrect locking of the connector to the throttle housing causing instability in the operation of the injection system.
Fix: Rectified by replacing the motorised throttle housing connector.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 1,574 vehicles
Front stabiliser bar brackets concern
The front suspension stabiliser bar brackets may fracture.
Fix: Replace both front stabiliser bar brackets.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 205 vehicles
Potential fuel leaks
There is a risk of the diesel return pipe rubbing against the alternator and there is a risk of leakage from the connections of the high pressure pipes to the injectors. It is possible that the high pressure pump supply pipe may wear against the acoustic protector.
Fix: Reposition or replace any chafing fuel pipes as appropriate. Check the union connections for correct tightness on the high pressure pipes to the injectors.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 3,586 vehicles
Possibility of reduction in vacuum servo assistance
A specific batch of vacuum pumps may have a potential defect (blockage) which may cause a reduction in servo assistance.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles and replace vacuum pump.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 10,425 vehicles
Failure of roof bars
The roof bars may fail when loaded to the limit of their carrying capacity. Failure could result in loss of luggage.
Fix: Affected vehicles are being recalled to have the original roof bars replaced with quality assured examples.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 4,000 vehicles
Possible restriction in hydraulic braking system
There is a possibility of a restriction in a plastic double pipe union on the brake master cylinder. This could prevent or reduce the operation of the hydraulic braking circuit.
Fix: Affected vehicles are being recalled to have the plastic union examined for evidence of any restriction. If a restriction is found the plastic pipe union will be replaced with a quality assured version.
Recalled models: SCENIC · 7,434 vehicles
Checking a Renault Scenic before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.