Renault Laguna Sport Tourer 1.9dci 120 Dynamique Review

Overall Rating

Good looking vehicle, comfortable and I found a joy to drive

Expensive repairs, turbo failed 90K, 1 x injector failed 90K, problems with stop light and egine light illuminating due to fuel pressure problem, garage (Renault Minute) unable to solve problem, lights come on after 6-10 days.

Purchased my Renault Laguna in November 2005 with 83K on the clock, bit on the high side but for a diesel only just run in! Clutch master cylinder sticking after 2K miles under my ownership, replaced by garage under warranty, whilst the clutch repaired car came back with an ABS problem again repaired by garage a wiring loom fault.
Once my warranty with the garage had run out the turbo blew, took the vehicle to Rapid Renault at Upchurch, (who are not Renault approved), turbo, intercooler and cat replaced along with an injector (£2.4K in repairs).
I have experienced a problem that when the car was hot and stuck in traffic it appeared the turbo would cut out and the car would not rev over 1.5K, however turning the ignition off and back on vehicle would run ok but warning lights on, fault was finally traced to defective wiring to sensor on intercooler. This cable was repaired by garage as a new loom was £700. Since this has been repaired the vehicle has been back to the garage on 5 occasions due to the fuel pressure problem, I also have a problem with the car belching out black exhaust on hard acceleration, had the car serviced as the garage informed me I may have picked up some dirty fuel and the fuel filter needed changing. since this time the warning lights come on at regular intervals. The garage I have been using have now suggested I try another Renault garage.
Having sent a letter of complaint to Renault they were good enough to reply but their attitude is tough luck.

Members' Comments onKennett's Review

• Dr Awoh on 30th Nov 2006

  In answer to two of your Renault Laguna Sport Tourer 1.9dci 120 Dynamique 'warning light' problems:
  
  1) Brake light warning light - I traced this to bad connections in the multiplug to the rear light unit. Solution was to make sure they made good contact. You may notice problem side has a dimmer brake light - almost certainly due to bad earth / connections in the multiplug.
  
  2) Fuel pressure warning - my dealer (Rawlinson in Bury St Edmunds, whose staff, in my experience are always incredibly helpful and knowledgeable) suggested a new (Bosch) fuel pump. They were half way there: the fault was traced by Colchester Fuel Injection (also very helpful, Bosch specialists) to the pressure regulator / monitor valve / sensor on the back of the fuel pump. This they replaced, plus carried out a 'leak-back' test on each injector, for much less than the cost of a whole new pump from Renault. Replacing the whole pump would have also cured the problem, as the aforementioned valve comes from them with the pump. Hence why my dealer was halfway there.
  
  I hope this is info is of use.
  
  Dr Awoh

• sharpey on 19th Apr 2007

  I have a Renault Laguna Expression DCI and would never buy another car from Renault. The car is a 1.9 turbo diesel and is just 5 and half years old with just 55,000 miles on the clock and I’m having to look at writing it off.
  
  The turbo failed and damaged the engine. The repair bill far out stretches what I feel for the car and after Renault have refused to provide any help for helping with repairs or replacement cost I certainly feel that I will never buy another car from them.
  
  I’m only the second owner this car has had and since I’ve bought it I’ve had problems with the engine management system, Air intake sensor problems and Tyre sensor problem, front window motor problems.

• bustagain on 31st Jul 2008

  I, too, will not be buying another car from Renault. Bought my Laguna Sport Tourer with 39000 miles on clock ... 1 previous owner (who had the sense to get rid). Beautiful looking car for an estate but that's where the positives end. This has to be the most expensive car ever to maintain. A handbrake cable and fitting cost over £200 (and that wasn't the fault - it needed new rear callipers). It goes through front tyres every 11-12000 miles at £120 each. Have gone through 3 sets in 3 yrs.
  The turbo blew at 50 000 miles, £1000+ from non-renault dealer ... dealer prices were too distressing. Has had new window regulator to driver's door Part and fitting £300+. Needs another for passenger door now. Rear washwipe motor has burned out ... wasn't on that much anyhow so am doing without as a replacement part price is laughable. Oh ... and BOTH key cards are inoperable. Over £140 each to replace and reprogram. I have to lock the car by closing front door, opening back and leaning in to operate central locking button. To open, I use key on passenger door. This has stopped opening other doors, however, so i have to lean in and press the button again...hope the button doesn't go.
  The only bit that doesn't break (and I wish it would) is the computer voice. Every warning possible!
  I tell you, it would cost a thief a fortune if he nicked it.
  Never again! Like the look of the new C5 though from Citroen...It's a lovely looking car .... Aaaaargh - haven't I been here before?