Independent Renault Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Renault Clio 2 - Bonnet Catch Failures

Tags
172 bbc bodywork bonnet catch catches clio clios design driving dsa exposed failures fault faulty feedback nightmare petition problems prohibits renault report tests vosa watchdog
Jump to Latest
574K views 1.2K replies 218 participants last post by  MaddogReynolds  
W
#1 ·
BBC Watchdog report :: Faulty Renault Clio bonnet catches

Anyone heard of any problems with the bonnet catch on Clios? My bonnet opened while I was driving along at 60 mph and caused £2,500 worth of damage even though the interior bonnet catch had not been pulled.

All information gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.
 
J
#2 ·
Clio 1.2 16v Dynamique 2001 bonnett catch problem

Hi there
Christmas eve 2005 the same thing happened to me. 70mph on the outside lane of the motorway, my bonnett hit my windscreen. Internal catch was not pulled. Damage is £3400, car is worth £3125 according to insurance company. I now have no car! A reliable source informed me that a clio was seen on the M5 on 23.12.05 with the same problem. If this is you, please come forward. I am an AA member and am currently seeking legal advice. What can we do?
 
D
#1,079 ·
Re: Clio 1.2 16v Dynamique 2001 bonnett catch problem

jonsi74 said:
Hi there
Christmas eve 2005 the same thing happened to me. 70mph on the outside lane of the motorway, my bonnett hit my windscreen. Internal catch was not pulled. Damage is £3400, car is worth £3125 according to insurance company. I now have no car! A reliable source informed me that a clio was seen on the M5 on 23.12.05 with the same problem. If this is you, please come forward. I am an AA member and am currently seeking legal advice. What can we do?
Click to expand...
No it wasn't me, but I received a letter from Renault a couple of days back alerting me to this exact problem and they sent me a list of local Renault dealers for me to take my car to, to be checked out and it wasn't going to cost me anything. Luckilly I haven't had any problem with the bonnet catch, but as it is free, I might as well be 100%sure. I'm sorry you had problems but apart from you being insured to cover the cost, you should report your problem to Renault, that is if they don't contact you first. As far as I can tell, Renault are contacting all mk2 Clio owners, advising them to take their car to local Renault dealers at no cost. Seems that in your case, it's a bit late, barn doors and bolting horses. Good luck with it anyway, you are surely entitled to some compinsation.
django47 (Mick).
 
B
#5 ·
BBC Watchdog report :: Faulty Renault Clio bonnet catches

I was flicking through the channels on TV and a report about a Renault Clios appeared on watchdog. It was about faulty Bonnet catches. They were talking to a woman who had her bonnet flie up and smash her windscreen. She did some research about and said she had found other people had had this happen to them as well. Then all of a sudden there was a shot of her on the computer and there it was a shot of the renault forum. What an advert prime time BBC1.
 
J
#251 ·
BIGFOOT said:
I was flicking through the channels on TV and a report about a Renault Clios appeared on watchdog. It was about faulty Bonnet catches. They were talking to a woman who had her bonnet flie up and smash her windscreen. She did some research about and said she had found other people had had this happen to them as well. Then all of a sudden there was a shot of her on the computer and there it was a shot of the renault forum. What an advert prime time BBC1.
Click to expand...
the same thing happened to me, i had a mk2 2001 clio at the time, was on the motorway on the outside lane. bonnet smash windscreen and roof, very scary indeed.
 
E
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
Watchdog - plastic bonnet catches

I assume people saw this?

Basically said that 1997 to 2001 Clios have plastic bonnet catches and have a tendency to fail, causing the bonnet to blow up onto the windscreen at speed. Scarey stuff.

They said that after 2001 models, a new, metal catch was introduced, which is safer. Which pretty much proves that those before were unsafe. QED.

My Clio is a 2003, but i've just been to look and the bonnet catch looks like black plastic to me. I certainly don't have one of the metal loops there should be with the new catches.

What should I do? They were saying it needs "maintenance" but who the heck maintains a bonnet catch?! I wouldn't even know how! Saw on another forum someone advising WD40 but that sounds to me like it could make things worse not better!

</panicky rant> :eek: :confused:

P.S. hi. i'm a newbie. sorry for just jumping in. hello! *waves*
 
#11 ·
Hi and welcome to the forum. :) :)

A bonnet catch should be regulary lubricated to make sure it doesn't stick. This should be part of routine maintanance. As for it being plastic then yes that is a joke.
Another Renault quirk that I think is going to cost them dearly.:( :( :(

Kind regards Oilyrag:)
 
G
#15 ·
em6 said:
I assume people saw this?

Basically said that 1998 to 2001 Clios have plastic bonnet catches and have a tendency to fail, causing the bonnet to blow up onto the windscreen at speed. Scarey stuff.

They said that after 2001 models, a new, metal catch was introduced, which is safer. Which pretty much proves that those before were unsafe. QED.

My Clio is a 2003, but i've just been to look and the bonnet catch looks like black plastic to me. I certainly don't have one of the metal loops there should be with the new catches.

What should I do? They were saying it needs "maintenance" but who the heck maintains a bonnet catch?! I wouldn't even know how! Saw on another forum someone advising WD40 but that sounds to me like it could make things worse not better!

</panicky rant> :eek: :confused:

P.S. hi. i'm a newbie. sorry for just jumping in. hello! *waves*
Click to expand...
You feel free to jump right in!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/reports/transport/transport_20060425.shtml

Wish we could get some sort of link from Watchdog
 
#16 ·
They also said that on the ones reported the bonnet wasn't actually shut properly. Whose fault is that, the owner for not checking or renault for not making a decent catch

Apparently it could affect ALL clios built between 1998 and 2001. So if any of you own a clio of that era it would be prudent to go to your local garage to get the catch looked at.
 
G
#18 ·
SportTourer said:
They also said that on the ones reported the bonnet wasn't actually shut properly. Whose fault is that, the owner for not checking or renault for not making a decent catch

Apparently it could affect ALL clios built between 1998 and 2001. So if any of you own a clio of that era it would be prudent to go to your local garage to get the catch looked at.
Click to expand...
Yep - that's a good point...
 
A
#21 · (Edited)
I have just seen Watchdog program on BBC1 which covered the problem with bonnets flipping up due to an inadequate poorly designed catch.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/reports/transport/transport_20060425.shtml

Watchdog has received other complaints of bonnets opening unexpectedly on the Renault Clio, specifically on models ranging from 1997 to 2001.

Since 2001, Renault Clio's are now fitted with a modified bonnet catch.

Martin Woodhouse, a mechanic with more than 30 years experience, explained to Watchdog that the Clio's safety catches for these models are inferior in both design and quality.
Click to expand...
Renault are reluctant to admit a problem as it will cost them thousands if a recall is made.

If you own a Clio (1997-2001) I would recommend checking the bonnet latch mechanism operates freely and cleaning and lubricating with WD40 or similar

I would also recommend anyone who has had this problem to contact VOSA who will investigate and could recommend a recall to Renault.

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/aboutrecalls.asp

It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to inform the Vehicle Inspectorate when substantial evidence of a safety defect that requires remedial action, has been confirmed. Additionally, evidence may be presented to the manufacturer by the Vehicle Inspectorate as a result of investigations into accidents, and safety defects which have been brought to their attention from other sources.
Click to expand...
Email :
Enquiries@vosa.gov.uk
 
Independent Renault Forums
posts
1.6M
members
226K
Since
2005
RenaultForums.co.uk is the best place to discuss the French automaker’s cars including the Megane, Clio, Modus, Captur and more. Join now!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Engines Electronics Welcome to RenaultForums Cars & motoring Bodywork