I have a 54 plate Scenic II, and was issued a recall letter for reprogramming the EHU last Autumn. I was in the process of moving house to SE England, and didn't get the letter until I had moved. This was too late however, as while making the big journey down from Glasgow to Sussex with a car full of belongings, my handbrake applied whilst the car was in motion, just as I was leaving a service station, and about 10 seconds before merging with a busy motorway at 70mph.
This was obviously terrifying, and our Greenflag man was astounded that it was even possible for a cars handbrake to come on. We found the disengage clip in the boot (after removing all the contents of our car) and that released the brake, allowing us to at least get the car and our belongings across the last 200 miles to our new home, sans handbrake.
Suffice to say it was a poor way to start the new life! Called Renault and they said they would recall the unit and reprogram and re-engage the handbrake free of charge. I booked it in, and after an hour came back to be told that because the handbrake DID fail, they would have to replace the whole thing for ~£700. I said no and took the car home.
Since then (this was in October last year) i've been back and forward with Renault, battling over the costs involved and the recall.
'The recall is for a software reprogramming of the ECU, which will stop this admittedly dangerous fault from ever occurring. However, because the fault DID occur, it can't be fixed by reprogramming, and hardware is not covered by the recall'.
So in other words - we know its terrifyingly dangerous, but if it actually happens to you, tough luck. I argued that the reason they initiated the recall was because it was a terrible potential fault with a serious possibility of severe injury and damage. They agreed. I then argued that surely the problem actually occurring should meet that same safety criteria and be treated in the same way - i.e. this is a completely unacceptable fault for a vehicle to ever have by design, and it should be fixed immediately free of charge. They agreed, but said 'thats just how our recall system works'.
I've yet to have the car fixed and I'm looking at other options now so would really appreciate any info people have on this subject. I've threatened court action, and I need to know if I have a case. I feel I should sue for compensation now that I've not been able to use my car for months while they argue about these points.
I can't believe Renault would value safety issues as catastrophic as this, to be worth less than £700. My life is worth less than £700 to them. Nice, Renault, real nice.