KNOWN FAULTS · Renault

Renault Austral common problems.

2022–2026 · Hybrid

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

5 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.3 TCe mild hybrid (H5Ht) (Hybrid)

Software faults: camera, dashboard and steering on the AustralElectrical and electronic systems

Engine / equipment: Renault Austral (1.3 TCe mild hybrid and E-Tech 200)
Period mentioned: 2022–2025
Symptoms: A frozen reversing camera; glitches on the digital dashboard display; power steering that locks up.
Possible cause described: L’argus describes numerous bugs (frozen reversing camera, dashboard display, locked power steering) that persist despite the manufacturer’s updates. The 1.3 TCe mild hybrid left the French range in November 2024.
Check for the garage: Test the camera, dashboard and steering on the test drive; ask for the update history and check campaigns by VIN.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: E-Tech Hybrid 200 (Hybrid)

Gear-selector actuator on the E-Tech 200 hybrid gearboxGearbox

Engine / equipment: E-Tech full hybrid 200 (1.2 turbo three-cylinder with clutchless dog gearbox): Renault Austral, Espace and Rafale
Period mentioned: 2022 onwards
Symptoms: Gearbox fault warning on the dashboard and limited performance; somewhat abrupt or slow shifts, typical of an unsynchronised gearbox.
Possible cause described: Renault recalled the Austral E-Tech full hybrid (campaign 0E8K, letter of January 2024) for a possible gearbox fault: it replaces the selector actuator free of charge. The dog gearbox has no synchronisers, which is why each shift takes about half a second.
Check for the garage: Check campaign 0E8K by VIN in the MyRenault app or at the dealer; if the warning appears, ask for the gearbox codes to be read.
Cost cited in the source: Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: E-Tech Hybrid 200 (Hybrid)

Applies if: H5F engines with index 601 built up to 30/6/2023 (pump improved from 19/6/2023).

Failed electric water pump on the E-Tech 200: “Risque de casse moteur” and code P26CAF5Cooling

Engine / equipment: E-Tech full hybrid 200 (1.2 turbo three-cylinder H5F): Renault Austral and Espace
Period mentioned: 2022–2023
Symptoms: The instrument panel shows “Risque de casse moteur” (risk of engine damage) and the computer stores code P26CAF5.
Possible cause described: According to L'argus (August 2024), the electric water pump fails on H5F engines with index 601 built up to 30/6/2023; Renault improved the pump from 19/6/2023. The garage replaces the pump.
Check for the garage: With the warning, stop somewhere safe and do not push the engine. At the garage, read code P26CAF5 and check the electric water pump works; check the engine index and the build date.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: E-Tech Hybrid 200 (Hybrid)

Applies if: H5F engines with index 600 or 601 built up to 31/12/2023.

Coolant level drops in the low-temperature circuit of the E-Tech 200: leaking air/water heat exchangerCooling

Engine / equipment: E-Tech full hybrid 200 (1.2 turbo three-cylinder H5F): Renault Austral and Espace
Period mentioned: 2022–2023
Symptoms: The message “injection à contrôler” (check injection) and a falling level in the expansion tank of the low-temperature circuit, with no visible leak.
Possible cause described: According to L'argus (August 2024), on H5F engines with index 600 or 601 built up to 31/12/2023 the air/water heat exchanger (the one that cools the turbo intake air with liquid) leaks coolant.
Check for the garage: The garage first looks for leaks around the whole cooling system; if it finds none, it replaces the air/water heat exchanger. In the meantime, watch the level in the low-temperature tank.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: E-Tech Hybrid 200 (Hybrid)

Applies if: Only cars built from 3/10/2022 to 25/6/2024. Confirm by VIN.

“Surchauffe moteur électrique” or no start on the Austral E-Tech 200: gearbox primary shaft sealGearbox

Engine / equipment: Renault Austral E-Tech full hybrid 200 (1.2 turbo three-cylinder), first phase
Period mentioned: 2022–2024
Symptoms: The “surchauffe moteur électrique” (electric motor overheating) warning on the instrument panel, or the car will not start and shows “risque casse boîte de vitesses” (risk of gearbox damage).
Possible cause described: The gearbox primary shaft seal wears early and lets oil through between the gearbox and the electric motor. It affects about 32,450 Austral E-Tech 200 built from 3/10/2022 to 25/6/2024; Renault fixed it in production after that. It is separate from the selector actuator replacement of campaign 0E8K.
Check for the garage: The garage checks whether oil is leaking between the gearbox and the electric motor; depending on what it finds, it replaces the primary shaft seal or the whole gearbox. It is not a recall: you have to go to Renault and report the warning.
Cost cited in the source: Renault pays for the repair even after the two-year warranty.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.