They don’t know how to repair electric cars.
They don’t know how to repair electric cars: this is the complaint of a reader who is facing trouble with a 2003 Kangoo.
They don’t know how to repair them: “My Kangoo at 114,000 km…”
"A sad short story... They want to sell electric cars but don’t know how to repair them. I own a Tesla Y, a Nissan Townstar EV, and unfortunately an electric Kangoo III from 2023. Until now, the future seemed electric to me, but now I have doubts again. Let me say that Tesla is great, but the rest... I’m disappointed and worried. My Kangoo, with 114,000 km on it, has a melted engine and maybe even the inverter. In July, while I was driving at 90 km/h, an error appeared with all the lights on in a Christmas tree pattern. The display showed 'engine overheating.' I thought it was probably the heat, so I pulled over and waited 15 minutes with all the fans running. After that, they stopped, I tried to restart the car, and called a Renault repair shop; they told me to go there the next day for an inspection."
"During the first diagnosis, they found nothing, then..."
I went to the shop; they ran a diagnosis and found nothing, except for a charging error on a charger. Okay, I left feeling relieved, thinking it must have been a fluke. Ten days later, the same error occurred again. I called the shop and they said to bring the vehicle so they could check it more thoroughly. The car was at the shop, and I got a replacement vehicle; I left it with them for a day, but they still found nothing. Growing more puzzled, I went home. Their reply was that it might be because I had programmed pre-heating for the cabin, which activates while driving and conflicts with the ambient heat. Even more confused now. 15 days ago, the vehicle stopped working with an error: ENGINE FAILURE. It wouldn’t move anymore, so I called a tow truck and went to another Renault shop. Those guys ignored me for 10 days, saying “I should have told them I’d be stranded so they could arrange something,” complete nonsense.
They Can’t Fix It: 4,800 Euros and It Might Not Be Over
I paid 340 euros for a tow truck, drove the vehicle to a garage 40 km away, and they gave me a diagnosis in just two days! The engine block needed to be replaced (and that’s when I found out it was a brush-type engine… like those in blenders or hair dryers). Renault admitted it was a problem already reported by others and offered me a 20% discount, bringing the cost to 4,800 euros. However, after replacing the engine, there might be a need to replace the inverter as well, costing another 2,000 euros. They want to sell electric cars but can’t even fix them. What a disappointment, what anger—so much wasted time and money. I’m waiting for updates now because I’ve filed a complaint with Renault Italia and plan to consult my lawyer. Due to an incorrect diagnosis, I have to spend a fortune!! This isn’t acceptable.” Enrico Marangoni
Answer. What to say? Just that this is yet another example showing that electric vehicles break down rarely, but when it does happen... It’s not a problem limited to one brand. Over the years, there have been reports of service networks struggling to identify and fix faults in various models. A lot of work needs to be done to improve the qualifications of those who handle these repairs.
– Also read / Nicola Porro’s opinion: Electric cars are now a good deal
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