1988 Renault MEDALLION: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 25.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
1995: 3; 2001: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 481220 · 1995-02-14 (February 14, 1995)
HEADLIGHTS OVERHEAT WHEN ON FOR LONG PERIODS, CAUSING LIGHTS TO GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY/POOR VISIBILITY. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481220 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487181 · 1995-10-13 (October 13, 1995)
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560303 · 2001-03-06 (March 6, 2001)
THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS IMPROPERLY MOUNTED CAUSING THE IGNITION FEED WIRE SWITCH TO TWIST FROM THE MOTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL, AS A RESULT THE WIRE GRADUALLY RUBBED BARE ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND SHORTED OUT CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961365 · 1995-03-07 (March 7, 1995)
THE BOX THAT HOLDS THE ANTI FREEZE BURST SPRAYING CONTENTS ON ENGINE CAUSING IT TOO OVERHEAT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961365 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
90V138000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1990-08-09 (August 9, 1990)
LOSS OF RETENTION OF AN INTEGRAL OVER-TRAVEL SPRING ON THROTTLE CABLE COULD CAUSE SPRING DISLOCATION.
Consequence: A DISLOCATED SPRING CAN CAUSE INCREASED IDLE POSITIONTHROTTLE OPENING AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL IDLE SPEED.
Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE CABLES WITH CABLES DESIGNED TO PROVIDE POSITIVE RETENTION OF THE OVER-TRAVEL SPRING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V037000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers
Reported: 1991-03-04 (March 4, 1991)
FUSE BLOCK WIRING TERMINALS MAY NOT ADEQUATELY CLAMP THE POSITIVE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF HEATER BLOWER MOTOR FUSE BLADES.
Consequence: THIS COULD INCREASE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE THAT COULDOVERHEAT AND IGNITE THE FUSE BLOCK AND TERMINAL WIRING, RESULTING IN ANINSTRUMENT PANEL FIRE.
Remedy: MODIFY FUSE BLOCK TERMINAL TO ENSURE ADEQUATE RETENTION CLAMP LOAD ON HEATER BLOWER FUSE BLADES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V226000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Reported: 1997-12-09 (December 9, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEATER CORE END CAP CAN FAIL DUE TO MATERIAL STRENGTH DETERIORATION OCCURRING OVER TIME WITH EXPOSURE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FLUID.
Consequence: FAILURE WILL ALLOW THE DISCHARGE OF COOLING SYSTEM STEAM INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, CAUSING REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COOLANT TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED HEATER CORE FLUID BYPASS VALVE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗