New Renault Clio 6 Critical Failure Before Delivery – ECU Replacement
On February 26, 2026, I purchased a brand-new vehicle from Renault authorized dealer Kıyı Otomotiv Pendik / Istanbul. The vehicle I purchased:
Renault Clio Esprit Alpine 1.2 TCe EDC 115
Model Year: 2026
I paid the full amount upfront, and the vehicle was officially registered in my name on March 3, 2026. The dealership scheduled delivery for March 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM. However, one day before delivery (March 3, 2026), I was contacted by the dealership and informed that the vehicle had a “software issue” and had been taken into service. Initially, I was told it was a minor software problem.
Later, the true situation became clear. The vehicle was taken into authorized service before ever being delivered to me, and parts were replaced. According to the authorized service report:
The issue was: “vehicle not starting, draining the battery”
Work performed:
USM control unit replacement: approximately $1,655
In other words, the vehicle’s electronic control unit was replaced before it was ever delivered to the customer. This has caused a serious loss of trust for me. As a consumer purchasing a brand-new vehicle, my expectation is that it has not undergone any repairs.
A vehicle that has had its electronic control unit replaced before delivery no longer qualifies as “new” in my view.
For this reason, I contacted both the authorized Renault dealer and Renault Turkey (MAIS) and requested a full replacement of the vehicle with a defect-free equivalent. However, this request was completely denied. Renault Turkey only offered me a 1-year extended warranty, which I find unacceptable.
This is not a minor issue. The vehicle:
was sold as brand new
malfunctioned before delivery
underwent service intervention
had its electronic control unit replaced
Additionally, I am experiencing transportation difficulties because the vehicle has not been delivered.
I am deeply disappointed that a global brand like Renault has failed to provide a solution in such a clear-cut situation.
At this point, my only expectation is for Renault to resolve this issue in a fair manner that protects customer satisfaction and brand integrity. Otherwise, I will pursue my legal rights to the fullest extent through Consumer Court.
