Renault SUVs unsafe! Company to recall 15,800 SUVs

In the wake of the recent Volkswagen emissions scandal, there is another one hogging the limelight, and this time it’s French car-maker Renault.

After a raid by French officials, the company is set to recall over 15,800 Captur SUVs and offer emissions software update for up to 700,000 cars. The company denies all charges of cheating its customers as Volkswagen had with its 2.0-liter TDI diesel engines.

French Transport Minister Segolene Royal told RTL radio that Renault "has committed to recalling a certain number of vehicles, 15,000 vehicles, to check them and adjust them correctly so that the filtration system works" in all temperatures.

Ms Royal added, "New cars must meet the norms. To correctly adjust an engine takes half a day."

The firm's Sales Director Thierry Koskas maintained "very firmly" that "Renault did not cheat". However, while Renault denies using wrong-doing, the company will recall 15,800 diesel Capturs to ‘fix’ emission systems. It will also offer a software patch on 700,000 diesel powered cars to control NOx emissions.

This software update that will be available across Renault dealers will be available for diesel engines designed to meet the latest Euro 6 emission norms. The company has said it will announce detailed plans for the software upgrade in March and will offer engine checks four months later to judge if the update is required.

While there may not be any fault on Renault’s part on this one, the government raid shocked car buyers and investors alike as it sent its stock prices tumbling last week.

In recent years Renault, Ford and Mercedes-Benz have been under scrutiny by the French government for Nitrogen Oxide emissions higher than permissible limits, French newspaper Les Echos reported last week.

Image credit: Indiatimes