Lexus CT vs Renault Mégane E-Tech: which is more reliable?
According to the MotorFiable Score, the Renault Mégane E-Tech (7.7/10) has fewer serious documented faults than the Lexus CT (6.0/10), mainly because of their engines.
| Item | Lexus CT | Renault Mégane E-Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Compact | Compact |
| Years | 2010–2022 | 2022–today |
| MotorFiable Score | 6.0 out of 10 | 7.7 out of 10 |
| Engine score | 5.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| Most recommended engine | 1.8 Hybrid · With caution | Renault-Nissan CMF-EV (Mégane E-Tech, Ariya) · With caution |
| Score for the rest of the car | 6.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| Suspension | 9.6 out of 100 faults | 9.6 out of 101 faultLow severity |
| Brakes | 8.7 out of 100 faults | 8.6 out of 101 faultMedium severity |
| Electronics and infotainment | No documented faults | 8.9 out of 101 faultLow severity |
| Bodywork and interior | 8.4 out of 101 faultMedium severity | 9.3 out of 101 faultLow severity |
| Airbags and safety | 6.2 out of 103 faultsHigh severity | No documented faults |
Scores out of 10: the higher, the fewer serious documented faults. How we calculate them
Main faults of the Lexus CT
Outside the engine
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyDefective weld between the fuel tank and the filler pipe: leak and fire riskYes: CT 200h vehicles built between November 2016 and April 2017 were recalled because the weld between the tank and the filler pipe could be insufficient and lead to a fuel leak, with a risk of fire. The repair consists of replacing the tank with a properly manufactured one.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyCrack in the evaporative emissions control unit on the tank: leak when the tank is fullYes: Safety Gate records a 2016 alert for a possible crack in the evaporative emissions control unit attached to the tank; with the tank full, fuel could leak and, given an ignition source, cause a fire. In the United Kingdom, the campaign covers CT 200h vehicles built between August 2010 and February 2015.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyAirbag inflator for the curtain airbags with a possible micro-crack in the weldYes: a 2016 Safety Gate alert covers CT 200h vehicles produced in 2009-2012 because the weld on the inflator of each curtain airbag may have a micro-crack; if it grows, part of the inflator may separate, partly inflate the airbag and, in limited cases, project fragments into the cabin.
In their engines
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.8 HybridBrake actuator failure (hard pedal, loss of assistance)Yes, it is a documented fault on the Prius III: the diaphragm of the brake actuator's accumulator can degrade and make the pedal very hard, forcing you to brake with much more force. Toyota ran a campaign in 2013; there are also owner reports of actuators failing after the warranty had expired.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.8 HybridThe car loses drive or stalls because of a hybrid system fail-safe mode faultYes. Toyota acknowledged that, in the event of certain internal faults, the hybrid management computer on units built before 2014 might not correctly activate fail-safe mode, and the car would lose drive or stall while driving. It was fixed by software; reprogramming at an official dealer is free.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.8 HybridInverter (IPM module) overheating and loss of driveYes. On units built between 2014 and 2016, the transistors in the inverter's power module can be damaged by thermal stress and cause loss of drive. Toyota ran a campaign in 2020; there are also inverters that have failed outside the campaign, with repairs of around €3,000.Repair: €3,000
Main faults of the Renault Mégane E-Tech
Outside the engine
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesParking lock (P position) may not engage: campaigns 0EWQ and 0EY9Two recalls issued in 2025 warned that the sensor on the Mégane E-Tech's parking brake actuator is misaligned, and the P-position lock may not engage properly when you select P, switch off the car, unfasten your seatbelt or open the door. The automatic parking brake still works.
- Low severityFrequency: CommonElectronics and infotainmentFreezing of the Mégane E-Tech's OpenR Link multimedia screenIt is the most cited fault on fiches-auto.fr: 29 of 86 testimonies mention an OpenR Link screen that freezes or goes black, loss of navigation, dropped Bluetooth and cascades of warnings, often resolved with updates.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorCharging connector flap fault on the Mégane E-TechAccording to the fiches-auto.fr profile, there are testimonies of a charging connector flap that opens and closes by itself, or gets stuck without closing; the profile mentions a campaign during servicing, without detailing its scope.
In their engines
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault-Nissan CMF-EV (Mégane E-Tech, Ariya)Charging faults on the Mégane E-Tech: on-board charger, fast charging and connectorOn the fiches-auto.fr entry, charging is the most frequently reported fault in the electrical system of the Mégane E-Tech: 20 of 86 reports describe charging that stops or is rejected on AC (22 kW charger) or on fast charging, with warnings that charging is impossible.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault-Nissan CMF-EV (Mégane E-Tech, Ariya)Campaign 0EKN: connector in the battery cooling circuit of the Mégane E-Tech that may corrodeIn April 2025 Renault warned owners of the Mégane and Scénic E-Tech that a connector could corrode and leave the traction battery uncharged or limit power. The free repair consists of inspecting the connector and replacing the end of the battery cooling pipe. The information comes from owner forums that cite the manufacturer's letter.
- High severityFrequency: RareRenault-Nissan CMF-EV (Mégane E-Tech, Ariya)Mégane E-Tech traction battery: warnings, range loss and immobilisationThe fiches-auto.fr entry records 11 reports of traction battery problems on the Mégane E-Tech, including warnings, very reduced range, unbalanced modules and a few cases of cars immobilised. It is a sample of owners, without a degradation study or a recall that confirms it.