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1988 Renault MedallionProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 10 owner complaints about the 1988 Renault Medallion, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints101 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 6, 2001. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Renault Medallion has problems

10 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling41
Visibility40
Power train30
Electrical system20
Exterior lighting20
Equipment10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1988 Renault Medallion recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Recall 97V-226 · Dec 9, 1997 · 32,000 vehicles

Risk. FAILURE WILL ALLOW THE DISCHARGE OF COOLING SYSTEM STEAM INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, CAUSING REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Recall 91V-037 · Mar 4, 1991 · 30,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD INCREASE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE THAT COULDOVERHEAT AND IGNITE THE FUSE BLOCK AND TERMINAL WIRING, RESULTING IN ANINSTRUMENT PANEL FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 90V-138 · Aug 9, 1990 · 30,000 vehicles

Risk. A DISLOCATED SPRING CAN CAUSE INCREASED IDLE POSITIONTHROTTLE OPENING AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL IDLE SPEED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Renault.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Medallion year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Medallion median. How we score

'88'89
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Renault Medallion, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STALLINGPE88069 · closed Nov 16, 1988
    No recall
  2. THROTTLE LINKAGE FAILSPE90081 · closed Aug 14, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-138
  3. ELECTRICAL OVERLOADPE90118 · closed Mar 12, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-037

Own a 1988 Medallion?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.