Back to the garage for the first Renault 5 and Alpine A290

Renault is facing a technical issue affecting its recently launched star models, the Renault 5 and the Alpine A290.

According to our colleagues at L’Argus, as many as 15,722 electric Renault and Alpine vehicles, assembled between September and December 2024 at the Douai factory, are potentially affected by an anomaly that may prevent them from starting. The brand has initiated a “special technical operation” (OTS) to resolve this issue, carefully avoiding the term recall.

The malfunction originates from the power electronics unit, a crucial component that ensures the proper functioning of the electric powertrain. This device plays a central role in converting the direct current from the battery into alternating current to power the motor. However, inadequate monitoring modes can cause a fault in the inverter, resulting in an inability to start the vehicle. In some cases, a “Electric motor failure” message is accompanied by a red warning light on the dashboard. Other drivers have reported an inability to shift from D (Drive) to N (Neutral).

A problem too serious for a simple OTA update

Affected customers have been notified by mail or via the My Renault app, inviting them to make an appointment at a workshop for a free inspection. The intervention consists of reprogramming the inverter, an operation that Renault estimates can be completed in 30 minutes. However, some users report that their vehicle may be immobilized for up to a day.

Although Renault carefully avoids the term recall, this initiative is indeed a recall. Moreover, it is a massive one, requiring a garage visit for the majority of models produced since the commercial launch of the two vehicles. A simple OTA software update could have gone unnoticed, but this is certainly more visible. To the point that we almost forgot that recalls are common for internal combustion models. It is now up to the Renault Group to manage this sensitive situation to avoid disrupting its new electric customer base. Perhaps starting with a small communication campaign with the media?

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