Common problems · Renault

Renault Clio common problems and recalls

15 sourced problems across the Clio's generations since 2012, plus 4 DVSA recalls. Enter a registration to see the ones that apply to your exact car.

Free · no signup · recalls, MOT data and researched problems

Clio Mk5 (incl. E-Tech hybrid) (2019 on)

Acknowledged by the manufacturer

Recalls, extended warranties, compensation schemes, service actions and statements.

  • Recall · RenaultEngine

    Recall: engine software update to prevent breakdowns

    Some recent Renault Captur and Arkana need their engine (injection) computer reprogrammed. Without the update the car can break down or fail to start. Dealers carry out the software update.

    Applies to: Renault Captur Mk2, Arkana and Clio Mk5 built September 2022 – July 2025 (12,500 vehicles)

    DVSA does not say which engine is affected; a Renault dealer can confirm by VIN.

    Source

Reported by owners and the motoring press

Problems at least two independent publishers report, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not every car.

DVSA recalls for the Clio Mk5 (incl. E-Tech hybrid)

Listed by DVSA for this model during these build years. Not every car is affected — check yours by VIN on GOV.UK.

  • Contact between the positive alternator wiring and the alternator casing could cause an electrical short circuitR/2020/015 · 21/01/2020

    Contact between the positive alternator wiring and the alternator casing which could cause an electrical short circuit.

    Remedy: Modify the wiring route and if necessary replace the alternator

    Listed for: CLIO IV, CAPTUR I · built 2019

  • Front lower arm BoltsR/2026/096 · 04/03/2026

    For certain vehicles and as a preventative measure there is concern involving the locking nuts in the area of the front suspension lower arm ball joints for where loosening of the fixings cannot be ruled out.

    Remedy: Check of the tightening of the front suspension lower arm ball joint nuts and if necessary replace both nuts

    Listed for: CLIO · built 2025

  • 'power steering failure' message displayed on dashboardR/2020/023 · 04/02/2020

    The message power steering failure displayed on the vehicles dashboard and a down grading of the power steering assistance

    Remedy: The steering column will be replaced

    Listed for: CLIO V · built 2019

Measured at MOT: how a 2023 Clio fails more often

Based on 18,934 first MOT tests of this model at 3 years old (cars first used 2021–2022), compared against every car of the same age and fuel.

Nothing stands out. No category fails clearly more often on this model than on cars of the same age and fuel.

    How to read this

    These are MOT outcomes for other cars of the same model, age and fuel — not a prediction about this one, and not a fault diagnosis. A high rate means the category is worth checking, not that this car has a problem.

    A comparison is only shown where it survives its own margin of error. Where a model is only slightly above average, both rates are shown and no multiple is given, because the data cannot tell the difference.

    MOT results reflect how a car has been used and maintained as much as the model itself. High mileage, short journeys and deferred servicing all show up here.

    Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Failure rates derived by FindServiceHistory from the DVSA anonymised MOT test and failure-item extracts.

    Clio Mk4 (2012–2019)

    Acknowledged by the manufacturer

    Recalls, extended warranties, compensation schemes, service actions and statements.

    Reported by owners and the motoring press

    Problems at least two independent publishers report, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not every car.

    DVSA recalls for the Clio Mk4

    Listed by DVSA for this model during these build years. Not every car is affected — check yours by VIN on GOV.UK.

    • Contact between the positive alternator wiring and the alternator casing could cause an electrical short circuitR/2020/015 · 21/01/2020

      Contact between the positive alternator wiring and the alternator casing which could cause an electrical short circuit.

      Remedy: Modify the wiring route and if necessary replace the alternator

      Listed for: CLIO IV, CAPTUR I · built 2019

    • Fuel may leakR/2015/053 · 13/04/2015

      A fuel leak could occur at the fuel pressure sensor to injector rail seal due to a non conformance of production methods. If the leak occurs a smell will be noticed by the occupants of the vehicle.

      Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and re-tighten the fuel pressure sensor to a specified higher torque value.

      Listed for: CLIO · built 2013–2014

    • 'power steering failure' message displayed on dashboardR/2020/023 · 04/02/2020

      The message power steering failure displayed on the vehicles dashboard and a down grading of the power steering assistance

      Remedy: The steering column will be replaced

      Listed for: CLIO V · built 2019

    Measured at MOT: how a 2016 Clio fails more often

    Based on 48,474 first MOT tests of this model at 10 years old (cars first used 2014–2015), compared against every car of the same age and fuel.

    Nothing stands out. No category fails clearly more often on this model than on cars of the same age and fuel.

      How to read this

      These are MOT outcomes for other cars of the same model, age and fuel — not a prediction about this one, and not a fault diagnosis. A high rate means the category is worth checking, not that this car has a problem.

      A comparison is only shown where it survives its own margin of error. Where a model is only slightly above average, both rates are shown and no multiple is given, because the data cannot tell the difference.

      MOT results reflect how a car has been used and maintained as much as the model itself. High mileage, short journeys and deferred servicing all show up here.

      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Failure rates derived by FindServiceHistory from the DVSA anonymised MOT test and failure-item extracts.

      MOT failure rate: the Clio against vehicles its age

      In our analysis of DVSA's anonymised MOT data for 2024 and 2025, 43.6% of 617,035 initial MOT tests on the Renault Clio failed at the first attempt — 38% more often than vehicles of the same ages and fuel types, which failed 31.5%.

      ClioCars of the same age and fuel (all makes)

      Renault Clio initial MOT failure rate by age band, against vehicles of the same age and fuel
      AgeTestsBarsClioSame age & fuelDifference
      3–5 years76,248
      		20.3%13.9%44% higher
      6–9 years169,285
      		38.0%23.2%63% higher
      10–14 years195,343
      		50.0%35.5%40% higher
      15–19 years140,839
      		52.9%42.9%23% higher
      20–40 years35,320
      		48.2%40.7%17% higher

      These describe the model, not one car: how vehicles are used and maintained shows up as much as how they were built. Differences are the conservative end of a 95% confidence interval.

      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Rates and comparisons are FindServiceHistory's own analysis, not DVSA figures.

      These describe the model, not one car. Plenty of cars never have the problems their model is known for, and a recall may already have been done on yours. Every problem links to its sources; a reported problem needs two independent publishers before we list it.

      Recalls are listed by DVSA for the model around its build date — check a specific car by VIN at GOV.UK. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

      Common questions

      What are the most common Clio problems?

      For cars built from 2012, the problems at least two independent publishers report include: 1.2 TCe / 1.2 DIG-T turbo petrol: high oil consumption; 1.5 dCi diesel: DPF clogging on short trips; 1.5 dCi diesel: timing belt failures, some before the due date; 1.5 dCi diesel: turbo failures; E-Tech full hybrid: electrical faults. Which apply depends on the generation and engine — they are listed generation by generation above, each with its sources.

      Has the Clio been recalled?

      Yes. DVSA lists recalls for the Clio built from 2012, shown above by generation. A recall covers a range of chassis numbers, so not every car is affected — check a specific car by VIN on GOV.UK, or by registration with our checker.

      Does my Clio have these problems?

      Not necessarily. These describe the model; many cars never have them, and a well-maintained car is less likely to. Enter your registration above to see the problems for your exact generation and engine, and whether DVSA records an outstanding recall on it. Whether a known problem was fixed is what a service history check shows.

      Has this Clio had the work done?

      A known problem matters far less on a car whose dealer records show it was fixed. A service history check returns the manufacturer's own dealership records for a specific car — and there's no charge if we find nothing.

      Check a Renault service history

      More common problems