RENAULT UK RESPONSE
15 March 2007 - Renault

CLIO II BONNETS OPENING WHILST THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN

The media has highlighted cases of Renault customers who have reported that the bonnet of their Clio II has opened whilst the car was being driven. Renault has liaised fully with the independent governing body, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), on the issue and both Renault and VOSA have concluded that the bonnet catch mechanism of the Clio II has no design or construction defect.

However Renault recognises that reports of this issue may have caused concern to our customers and, for those who have experienced the incident, some distress. Consequently, we will contact all Clio II owners as part of a reassurance plan, customer safety being of paramount importance to Renault.

We have closely monitored and analysed every case we have received, and a dedicated Task Force of Renault’s worldwide experts has investigated this issue, including carrying out vehicle inspections. We also kept VOSA fully updated throughout.

Renault and VOSA have concluded that the mechanism of the bonnet catch on Clio II is safe, reliable and fit for purpose, providing the vehicle is correctly maintained and the bonnet is closed as prescribed. Our investigations discovered several cases of poor maintenance on Clio IIs where the bonnet had opened whilst the car was being driven.

Therefore, as part of our reassurance plan and in co-operation with the relevant authorities, we will write to all Clio II customers inviting them into their nearest Renault dealership, where the opening and closing mechanisms of the bonnet will be checked to ensure the correct maintenance is being undertaken. If poor maintenance is detected, the appropriate corrective action will be carried out at no cost to the customer.

www.renault.co.uk

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