A group of Renault owners intends to lodge a criminal complaint against the car manufacturer in France next week, alleging that a host of vehicles have faulty engines.
Renault customers, as well as owners of select Nissan and Dacia models, believe that a recall should have been issued for the 1.2-liter engine that the carmakers used in Europe between 2012 and 2016 in approximately 400,000 vehicles. Renault says that this engine consumes too much oil but has not issued a recall, claiming that the high oil consumption does not pose a safety risk. The automaker says some 133,050 vehicles in France are affected.
A complaint is being filed “on behalf of at least several dozen people” with the Nanterre criminal court. The lawyer for the group of customers, Christophe Leguevaques, told Reuters that the complaint will allege “aggravated deceit, questionable business practices,” as well as “fraud” and “endangering the life of others.”
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Prosecutors will have the final say as to whether or not a formal investigation needs to be opened.
A spokesperson from Renault says that the carmaker has been providing technical support and financial help to those impacted by the engine issue. Nissan is doing the same, noting that it is “supporting any customers that may experience engine noise, misfiring, low power, or over consumption of oil under our warranty and customer support policies.”
Leguevaques says that the decision to take the issue to criminal court comes after unsuccessful discussions between Renault and the plaintiffs of the faulty engines.