Renault's Clio recall

	The company maintains there is no design-fault with the mechanism, but now appears to have back-tracked on its original stance and is contacting more than 400,000 Clio II owners

Auto Express has already reported on the BBC’s Watchdog investigation into the bonnet catches on the Renault Clio II, after reports of bonnets flying open at high speed.

The company maintains there is no design-fault with the mechanism, but now appears to have back-tracked on its original stance. It is contacting more than 400,000 Clio II owners, inviting them to take their cars to their nearest dealers for a free safety check.

The firm refutes Watchdog’s claims that it has delayed over addressing the issue, and put lives at risk. It claims the problem is actually maintenance issue. “If poor maintenance is detected, the appropriate corrective action will be carried out at no cost to the customer as a gesture of goodwill,” said a statement from the firm.

The catch fitted to the Clio Campus is of the same design and the firm has now added maintenance of its latching mechanism to the service schedule of these vehicles.

Customers concerned about their cars are being advised to contact the firm’s Customer Services on 0800 072 3372.  Discuss in blog