Renault Recall Check by VIN: Alliance, Encore and Medallion

You can still check a U.S.-market Renault for recalls: enter the 17-character VIN at NHTSA, or search by year, make and model when the VIN tool comes back empty. NHTSA keeps records for the Renault Alliance and Encore built with American Motors in the 1980s and for the Renault Medallion sold in 1988 and 1989. No Renault dealer network exists in the U.S. anymore, so the check tells you what was wrong, not who will fix it for free.

Which Renaults NHTSA covers

When I pulled NHTSA's recall records on Nov. 5, 2026 for make RENAULT, the U.S. cars that returned campaigns were the Alliance (1983-1987), the Encore (1984-1986) and the Medallion (1988-1989). The Alliance and Encore were built by American Motors in Wisconsin under Renault ownership; the Medallion was imported and sold through Jeep-Eagle dealers after Chrysler bought AMC in 1987. Decode the VIN with the NHTSA vPIC decoder first, so you know which model and year you have. Vehicles from this period use the 17-character VIN format adopted for 1981 models, so a car with a shorter number is either pre-1981 or has a problem worth asking about.

Recalls listed for the Alliance and Encore

• 87V049000 (Alliance 1983-1985, Encore 1984-1985): five engine compartment fuel hoses that could deteriorate over time, a fire risk.
• 88V060000 (Alliance 1983-1984, Encore 1984): the driver seat adjuster could separate at its front attachment from fatigue cracking of the bracket.
• 88V087000 (Alliance 1985-1987, Encore 1985-1986): during overheating, cooling system pressure could exceed what some parts can take because the pressure cap did not vent enough.
• 92V051000 (Alliance 1983-1987, Encore 1984-1986): the heater core end cap could rupture and send hot coolant into the cabin.

Recalls listed for the Medallion

• 90V138000 (1988-1989): a spring on the throttle cable could dislodge, which affects how the throttle returns.
• 91V037000 (1988-1989): fuse block terminals might not clamp the heater blower fuse well, which can overheat.
• 97V226000 (1988-1989): the heater core end cap can fail as the material ages.

If you find a different Renault model in the data or your VIN shows a campaign not listed here, trust the VIN result. Our NHTSA recall check by VIN guide covers how to read status codes.

What "open" means on a car this old

Open means NHTSA has no record that the remedy was done, and on a 35-to-40-year-old car that record may simply be missing. Recall obligations generally followed the manufacturer, and with the brand gone from the U.S., free remedies are unlikely to be available today. So, treat the recall list as an inspection checklist. Look at the fuel hoses, the seat track, the cooling system pressure cap and the heater core connections yourself, or have a mechanic do it. Heater core leaks show up as a sweet smell, fogged glass and damp carpet on the passenger side.

The same logic applies to the Medallion's sister badges. The Eagle recall check by VIN covers the Premier and Medallion-era Eagles. Chrysler took over AMC and its Renault-era obligations in 1987, so our Chrysler recall check by VIN is useful context too. American Motors-badged cars such as the Eagle wagon and Concord are filed under make AMERICAN MOTORS, not RENAULT, so search that make separately.

Why the history report still matters

A CARFAX or AutoCheck report on a 1980s Renault is often thin, since many records predate digital reporting. What it can still show: title brands, recent auction sales, odometer readings from recent registrations, and recent accident reports. Cross-check the title in NMVTIS. For low-production cars bought as collectibles, our CARFAX for classic cars explains how to read a short report without assuming the worst or the best.

Practical steps before you buy

Confirm the VIN on the dash and the door matches the title. Run the NHTSA check and keep a screenshot dated the day you checked. Pull a history report. Then have a mechanic who knows older European or AMC-era cars look at the cooling system, fuel lines, brakes and rust. Parts can be scarce, so check what is available before you commit.

Common mistakes

The first is searching the wrong make. An Alliance with AMC badges on the trunk is still a Renault in NHTSA's data. The second is trusting a seller's "all recalls done" without paper; ask for a receipt or a dated dealer printout. The third is assuming a clean recall result means a safe car. A recall list covers specific defects, not 40 years of wear, so the inspection still decides the purchase.

Report cost

As of early November 2026, a CARFAX bought direct usually costs around $44.99. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian; guest pricing has been about $5.50 a report, lower for members and bundles. Confirm the price at checkout.

Sources

• NHTSA recallsByVehicle results for make RENAULT, queried Nov. 5, 2026; VIN decoding via NHTSA vPIC
• National Motor Vehicle Title Information System
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety