IllustrationA/C FAILED DUE TO HOLE IN THE CONDENSOR.
1988 Renault Medallion
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →10Owner complaints
Model-year median: 5.5
3Recall campaignsView recall details →
3InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1988 Renault Medallion
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 10 owner complaints · 3 recall campaigns · 3 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 4 reports
- Visibility: 4 reports
- Power Train: 3 reports
- Electrical System: 2 reports
- Exterior Lighting: 2 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
- 97V226000 — Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System
- 91V037000 — Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
- 90V138000 — Vehicle Speed Control
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Medallion years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 10 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
Power Train complaints
3 reportsVEHICLE STARTS WHEN SHIFTER IS IN DRIVE.
RADIATOR CLEANED AND FLUSHED DUE TO BEING PLUGGED UP.
Recall campaigns
397V226000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System
Dec 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 & remedy
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.
91V037000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
Mar 4, 1991
FUSE BLOCK WIRING TERMINALS MAY NOT ADEQUATELY CLAMP THE POSITIVE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF HEATER BLOWER MOTOR FUSE BLADES.
Consequence & remedy
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.
90V138000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Aug 9, 1990
LOSS OF RETENTION OF AN INTEGRAL OVER-TRAVEL SPRING ON THROTTLE CABLE COULD CAUSE SPRING DISLOCATION.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
3PE90118 · Electrical Overload
Opened Sep 18, 1990 · Closed Mar 12, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
PE90081 · Throttle Linkage Fails
Opened May 11, 1990 · Closed Aug 14, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE88069 · Stalling
Opened Jun 28, 1988 · Closed Nov 16, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.