Renault is one of the successful mid-range vehicle brands on the market today and while they have exceptional vehicles, many of these cars are not without fault. The Renault Megane is one of the flagship models of the brand and much like the Ford Mondeo, it is one car that many people turn to when thinking of Renault. However, understanding Renault Megane’s common problems can help you avoid them when possible.

Lack of engine performance in some of the Renault Megane diesel models has been one of the most common issues that many buyers need to deal with. The issue mainly arises in the city and relates to the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) not heating up. If you don’t drive long distances, you could run into issues with a cold DPF that hampers performance.

While this is one of the issues that can be solved by simply driving around more and spiking the revs, there are a few other issues you should also be aware of. If you are the proud owner of a Renault Megane, you should continue reading. We have identified some of the common issues that you might eventually need to deal with.

Renault Megane Common Problems

The Renault Megane is one of the more reliable models when thinking of Renault vehicles. It is one of their older brands with the Renault Clio that has been improved and released almost every year. However, some of the issues are persistent and Renault has struggled to straighten out some of the most common:

1. Poor Performance In Diesel Models

Problem: One of the first issues we could identify is the lack of performance in some of the Diesel models. When buying a diesel vehicle, you will notice the Diesel Particulate Filter. The filter is responsible for burning off some of the bad particles before the diesel enters the engine and gives you performance.

If the filter does not warm up adequately, it could be letting bad diesel into the engine. Since the diesel is not as clean as it should be, you will have issues with gaining performance from it. It could also increase the emissions and this affects your exhaust. If left unchecked, you might need to have your exhaust replaced.

Solution: One of the quickest solutions would be driving around town in third gear for around 10-minutes. If you successfully do this, you will heat the DPF and this could lead to increased performance and the light will turn off. If this solution fails, you might need to settle for replacing the DPF and oil filters.

2. Defective Oil-Pressure Solenoid Valve

Problem: Your engine should effectively allow the oil to pass through the engine and keep the oil pressure maintained at a functional level when driving. As you are driving, the oil heats up and becomes more fluid. This means that it should be much easier for the oil to pass through the engine and the vehicle.

However, a defective oil-pressure solenoid valve might prohibit the oil from moving around in the engine freely and could lead to an increase in oil pressure. If the oil pressure is too high, it could lead to an engine fire, which causes far more damage than you might expect. You should notice the check engine light on the dashboard flare up as well.

Solution: A common solution would be to replace the specific valve in your car that helps to regulate the oil. If you have basic mechanical skills, this should be something you can rapidly do at home. However, those that lack mechanical experience might want to visit a mechanic. The change should not take too long and oil will need to be replaced.

3. Power Steering Fail

Problem: Power steering is one of the most important parts of any car. Without power steering, it can make driving much harder and you won’t be able to effectively turn the wheel when you need to. It could also lead to dramatic effects when driving at high speeds and you might need to get used to the feeling of a car without power steering.

The issue is related to the battery and the electronics of the car. If the battery does not hold enough charge, you might find that it becomes much harder to turn the steering wheel. It does not feed enough charge to activate the power steering, which could significantly impact your performance and driving ability.

Solution: The most practical solution would be to start with the battery. You might want to check the battery to see how much charge it holds and compare that to what it should have. If it does not have enough charge, you should replace the battery. Resetting the electronics will also make it easier to get everything fixed.

4. Faulty Heater Resistor

Problem: While this is uncommon, it has been reported in a few of the Renault Megane’s. While the heating feature would work, certain parts of it will not effectively heat the car. It commonly arises with some of the higher heater settings. Since few people use the heater, it is not something you pick up on quickly.

The heater resistor can become clogged and you will often notice that it does not have a good electronic connection to the car. If this is the issue, higher heat settings will not work effectively and you might need to fix the issue. If left unfixed, it does not have any severe effects on the other components, but won’t heat you in the winter.

Solution: For this issue, the solution is simple and you will need to replace the heater resistor. Once you have the heater resistor replaced, you will find that it can effectively heat the inside of your car. Unfortunately, this is no easy task and while it can be done at home, you should consider having a professional assist you.

5. Ignition Coil Fault

Problem: If you have read many of our articles, you will notice how common the ignition coil issue can be in your Renault. Faulty ignition coils not only have an impact on Renault vehicles, but almost all vehicles, especially older models will have the issue. Your ignition coils only have a set number of miles and a time limit.

Bad idling or stuttering seems to be one of the symptoms of the issue and you will find that your vehicle does not effectively idle when you start the ignition. The Renault Megane has four coils and the issue can be noticed with a defect in any of the coils.

Solution: Fortunately, you can replace these coils at home. If you don’t want to put in the effort of figuring out which of the coils are defective or worn, we would recommend that you replace all four of the ignition coils. It should instantly fix your vehicle and make it much easier for you idle and start your Renault Megane.

6. Defective Electric Windows

Problem: Defective electric windows are quite an uncommon issue in many vehicles. However, the Renault Megane is one of the vehicles that seem to suffer from it the most. As you might have noticed, many of the issues are electric and they affect the electric components of the vehicle or battery.

One way to notice the issue is a slowing down or hesitancy of the windows when you are opening or closing them. The hesitancy will often cause a sluggish effect and eventually, they will stop closing completely.

Solution: A faulty window regulator is often the main cause of the issue and you will need to fix the issue if you want to get the best performance for your car. Replacing the window regulator should not be such a daunting expedition, but could help ensure that you have windows that will close or open when you need them to.

FAQ

Which Components Give The Most Trouble In The Renault Megane?

Renault is known for making good reliable vehicles. However, some of their models might have a few basic faults that could be daunting for you to deal with. One of these seems to be in the electronics department. The battery could often fail or have some faults and sensors or regulatory components seem the most likely to fail.

How Reliable Is The Renault Megane?

As mentioned, most Renault vehicles are pretty high on the reliability spectrum and often give you great value for your money. According to a reliability survey, Renault Megane scored an impressive 83%. While this is by no means the highest score that a vehicle has attained, it is in the upper echelon of vehicles. When you consider the value of this vehicle and its price, it certainly brings plenty of reliability to the table.