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400,000 New Renault Clio Units Recalled for Braking System Problem

Renault's new Clio 4 has been a huge success for the French company since two years ago almost to the day. However, the popular and attractive-looking supermini might have hit a snag. Nearly 400,000 copies of the Clio are being recalled worldwide in order to fix a problem recently discovered that could affect their breaking system.
2013 Renault Clio 1 photo
Photo: original image by autoevolution
The problems are not with the brakes themselves, but with the installation of the inner wheel well liner, which is supposed to protect vulnerable mechanical components from water and rocks. On the affected cars, the liner may not have been properly installed, which can result in premature deterioration of the brake hoses.

We've seen similar problems in US recalls, where brake hoses rapidly deteriorated, especially in the states where rock salt is used during the winter. Metal corrosion occurs when electrons are added or stolen, a process that works better in salt water, which acts as a conductor.

The recall affects all the Clios made at the Bursa factory in Turkey until February 4th, 2014, and all the ones made in Flins, France, until April 14th. Unfortunately, the official statement doesn't say if similarly engineered Clio Estates, but they probably are. We can tell you that 155,000 of the affected Clios are in France.

The fix can take as little as 20 minutes if it's only an inspection, but if replacement pipes are needed, it will take around 4 hours. Renault is taking this opportunity to make adjustments to the springs in the jaws of the rear drum brakes as well. Ones of affected cars will be notified by registered email.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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