Skip to content
MotorFiable

Renault cars

Renault Rafale problems (2024–today)

The only engine of the Renault Rafale that we have documented, the E-Tech Híbrido, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «With caution».[1][2]

Outside the engine: Away from the engine, the Rafale is a very recent car (2024) with few cases on the fiches-auto.fr page: a campaign over the parking lock sensor and single testimonials about braking and cameras. There are no official figures.[3][4]

Renault Rafale (2024–today)
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468107.1out of 10

Renault Rafale rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 6 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Engine7.13 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension10.0No documented faults
  • Brakes7.32 faults
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering10.0No documented faults
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights10.0No documented faults
  • Electronics and infotainment9.61 fault
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior10.0No documented faults
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Renault Rafale

  1. 1High severity: Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)E-Tech Híbrido engine
  2. 2High severity: Stalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12)E-Tech Híbrido engine
  3. 3High severity: Campaign over the Rafale's parking lock (P-lock) sensorBrakes
  4. 4Medium severity: 12 V battery going flat or needing early replacementE-Tech Híbrido engine
  5. 5High severity: Braking system fault ("freinage à contrôler" warning) on the RafaleBrakes

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

1 recall or campaign documented, the latest: Campaigns OR/00145/25, SR/03262/25 and 0EWQ: parking lock sensor. See the campaigns for the Renault Rafale

7 sourcesHow we work

E-Tech Híbrido

Renault-Dacia E-Tech Híbrido (H4M 1.6 and HR12 1.2 Turbo, caja multimodo) · Petrol

In the Rafale
since 2024[5]
Name
E-Tech Full Hybrid 200
Faults that affect it
3 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
29
Moderate risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)since 2022 · 200 hp · HR12

    With caution

    It shares the multi-mode gearbox fault pattern with the other E-Tech versions and adds its own problem of stalling and injection warnings, documented on the Austral and Espace VI.[1][2]

Faults that affect the Rafale

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The E-Tech Híbrido has 4 documented faults in total.

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonTransmissionMulti-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)On the Clio, Captur, Arkana, Austral, Duster and Jogger with the E-Tech engine, reports describe a risk of the multi-mode gearbox breaking and being replaced. Renault has launched a campaign over a primary shaft seal fault (2020-January 2024, ~150,000 vehicles) that lets oil into the electric motor.
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionStalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12)On the Austral and Espace VI with the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12) engine, several reports describe "injection to be checked" warnings, turbo faults and one case of the engine stalling completely at motorway speed. We have not found the same pattern on cars with the 1.6 H4M.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics12 V battery going flat or needing early replacementSeveral Clio, Arkana and Austral owners with the E-Tech engine document premature replacement of the 12 V auxiliary battery, in one case twice in the first year. It is not the most widespread fault of the system, but it appears repeatedly across different models.

Rafale E-Tech Híbrido pageAll versions and faults of the E-Tech Híbrido

Faults of the Renault Rafale outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

Checklist for buying a used Renault Rafale

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the E-Tech Híbrido (since 2024)

Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)

High severity

Stalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12)

High severity

12 V battery going flat or needing early replacement

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Renault Rafale

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Renault Rafale?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Own a Renault Rafale? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Renault Rafale reliable?

The only engine of the Renault Rafale that we have documented, the E-Tech Híbrido, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «With caution». Away from the engine, the Rafale is a very recent car (2024) with few cases on the fiches-auto.fr page: a campaign over the parking lock sensor and single testimonials about braking and cameras. There are no official figures.

What problems does the Renault Rafale have apart from the engine?

Away from the engine, the Rafale is a very recent car (2024) with few cases on the fiches-auto.fr page: a campaign over the parking lock sensor and single testimonials about braking and cameras. There are no official figures. The most important documented faults are: campaign over the Rafale's parking lock (P-lock) sensor (brakes, high severity), braking system fault ("freinage à contrôler" warning) on the Rafale (brakes, high severity) and automatic headlight and camera fault on the Rafale (electronics and infotainment, low severity).[3][4]

What faults does the Renault Rafale have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage) (E-Tech Híbrido, high severity), stalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12) (E-Tech Híbrido, high severity) and 12 V battery going flat or needing early replacement (E-Tech Híbrido, medium severity).

What is the best year to buy a Renault Rafale?

According to our rating by year, the best is 2026 (7.9/10); the worst rated is 2024 (7.1/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Renault Rafale have recalls?

Yes: we have documented one campaign for the Renault Rafale, such as campaigns OR/00145/25, SR/03262/25 and 0EWQ: parking lock sensor. Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[3]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault AustralFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Espace 6Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Tous les problèmes sur Renault Rafale 2024fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  4. Renault RafaleWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  5. Renault RafaleWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French