IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2023 Renault Arkana

Arkana receives a mid-cycle styling update featuring Renault's Nouvel R diamond emblem, darkened chrome exterior accents, a revised grille texture, and the introduction of the flagship Esprit Alpine trim grade.

What changed for 2023

  • •Adoption of Nouvel R corporate emblem and redesigned gloss black grille detailing
  • •Esprit Alpine trim replaces R.S. Line with bespoke 19-inch wheels and Alpine blue interior accents
  • •Streamlining of UK range to focus primarily on the E-Tech full-hybrid powertrain

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Rear brake effort imbalance on low-mileage hybrid vehicles
  • !Front tyre shoulder scrub on larger 19-inch alloy wheels
  • !Minor lighting aim misalignment on adaptive LED clusters
3
Known Issues
0
Serious
2
Moderate
1
Minor

All Known Issues

E-Tech Hybrid Powertrain Hesitation and Inverter Software Faults

ModerateEngine

The 1.6-litre E-Tech full-hybrid system uses a clutchless dog-ring multi-mode gearbox and dual electric motors. On 2021 to 2023 cars, owners report noticeable hesitation, driveline snatch, or flat spots when transitioning between EV mode and the petrol engine under acceleration. In severe cases, calibration glitches in the hybrid inverter or temperature sensors trigger warning lights and drop the car into limp-home mode. Renault issued ECU/TCU recalibrations to smooth dog-clutch engagement and resolve false sensor alerts.

Est. Repair Cost: £250–£900
Warning Signs:

Hesitation or jerkiness during throttle tip-in when switching between EV and petrol power, Check Hybrid System or Stop Vehicle warning illuminates on digital instrument cluster, Sudden loss of electric assistance leading to sluggish acceleration on dual carriageway slip roads, Erratic battery charge gauge indications fluctuating unexpectedly

What to Inspect:
  • Execute several brisk accelerations from 15 to 45 mph to test smoothness of hybrid power transitions
  • Inspect main dealer service invoices for proof of hybrid control unit and transmission ECU software updates
  • Verify that the car restarts cleanly from EV mode without driveline clunks or warning lights
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Electric Power Steering Calculator Overheating and ECU Calibration

ModerateSteering

On early Arkana models built between late 2019 and late 2021, the electronic control calculator for the electric power steering can suffer thermal overload during prolonged low-speed manoeuvring or full-lock parking. Overheating management circuitry causes sudden, temporary loss of power assistance, dramatically increasing steering effort and prompting safety recall DVSA R/2022/045. Remedy requires dealer ECU reprogramming with updated thermal parameters, or full steering column ECU replacement if damaged.

Est. Repair Cost: £180–£550
Warning Signs:

Check Steering or Steering Failure warning illuminated on the dashboard binnacle, Sudden heaviness and loss of power assistance during tight parking manoeuvres, Unusual hum or resistance when turning the steering wheel to full lock, Fault codes logged in the electronic power steering module related to internal temperature limits

What to Inspect:
  • Turn the steering wheel smoothly from lock to lock at a standstill listening for abnormal motor noise or binding
  • Check the official GOV.UK vehicle recall service to confirm recall campaign R/2022/045 is logged as completed
  • Verify that steering assistance remains light and progressive during low-speed three-point turns
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated
Official Recalls & Reference Documents:

Easy Link Infotainment Display Freezing and System Crashes

MinorElectrics & Electronics

The 7-inch or 9.3-inch Easy Link touchscreen controls audio, navigation, vehicle settings, and smartphone mirroring. UK owners report software freezing, sluggish touch response, sudden reboots while driving, and dropped CarPlay or Android Auto connections. Because driving assistance settings and the reversing camera rely on this display, screen lockups cause real inconvenience. Most issues stem from early firmware bugs, resolved through over-the-air updates or dealer reflashing, though faulty hardware modules require replacement.

Est. Repair Cost: £100–£350
Warning Signs:

Central portrait touchscreen locks up and ignores touch inputs, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto drops connection repeatedly during journeys, Reversing camera feed displays a blank screen or suffers heavy video latency when selecting reverse, Touchscreen spontaneously reboots and cycles through the Renault logo while driving

What to Inspect:
  • Cycle through climate, navigation, and vehicle settings menus checking for touch response lag
  • Plug in a smartphone and test wired and wireless projection stability over several minutes
  • Engage reverse gear multiple times to confirm the parking camera feed appears instantly without distortion
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Buying Tips for 2023 Renault Arkana

  • Verify that over-the-air Easy Link software updates have successfully installed the latest system firmware
  • Inspect the condition of the 12V auxiliary battery, which can throw false hybrid warnings if degraded
  • Check rear seat headroom and rearward visibility to confirm the coupe profile suits your everyday family requirements
20222024–2025
Check a 2023 Renault Arkana by Registration