Popular affordable city EV, ideal for urban commuters who can charge at home. The ZE50 battery (52 kWh usable) offers real-world range of 230-240 km in summer, 160-180 km in winter. Main technical concerns: 12V auxiliary battery drains quickly when parked (needs trickle charger or use every few days), Chameleon charger failures are expensive to repair, heat pump refrigerant leaks reduce efficiency, and rapid charging limited to 46 kW maximum. Safety rating dropped to zero stars in 2021 due to missing side head airbags and initially absent AEB/lane assist (fixed January 2022). Low running costs offset by potentially high repair bills when out of warranty.
Battery drains within 1-2 weeks when parked, causes spurious warning lights · more· less
The Zoe does not charge its 12V battery when parked, and systems like keyless entry and the GPRS modem constantly draw power. The car wakes up every other day to charge the 12V, draining the main battery by about 25% over two weeks. When the 12V battery fails completely, you'll see bizarre errors including "check camera," "check radar," "hill start assist," and "parking brake" warnings. The recommended 12V battery replacement interval is every 3-4 years. A DIY battery costs €50-90 (AGM recommended), while dealer replacement costs around €230. Solution: keep car on a trickle charger if not driven regularly, or upgrade to an AGM battery which loses only 1% charge per 6 weeks.
The PEC (Power Electronics Controller) contains the Chameleon charger, inverters, and ECUs. When it fails, symptoms include charge starting then stopping after 1-5 seconds, displaying "Check charging Post" or "Battery Charging Impossible" errors. Some failures are grounding faults (fixable), but actual charger module failures require PEC access. Repair is extremely labor-intensive: bumper, radiator, cross-member, wings, lights, wheels, drive shafts, motor, and gearbox must all be removed. Dealers often quote full PEC replacement at €6,500-9,000. Specialist EV workshops can replace just the internal charger module for €800-2,500 if diagnosed correctly. Used chargers available but must be recoded to your VIN (Renault will do this).
Heat pump refrigerant leak€100 - €1,500
Heating/cooling fails due to low R1234yf refrigerant, compressor gets louder · more· less
The Zoe uses 1,000 grams of expensive R1234yf refrigerant. Low refrigerant is the most common heating problem - vehicles lose about 50 grams per year, and the problem is compounded because EV owners don't use AC as much to preserve range, causing seals to dry out. Symptoms: no heat, cabin won't reach set temperature, loud compressor noise. A DIY top-up costs €100 (Halfords AC/PRO kit), professional regas costs €150-300. If the compressor fails completely, replacement can cost €1,000-1,500. Oddly, no heat can prevent charging - the car will charge briefly then shut off. The heat pump also cools the battery during rapid charging, so infrequent rapid charging accelerates seal degradation.
DC-DC converter failure€800 - €2,000
Converts 400V traction battery to 12V, failure causes "Check Electric System" · more· less
The DC-DC converter maintains the 12V battery from the 400V traction battery. When it fails, the 12V battery doesn't charge and you'll see "Check Electric System" warnings. This is a fairly common failure on ZE22kW and ZE40 models, less documented on ZE50 but still occurs. Repair requires extensive disassembly (same labor as PEC/charger access) - bumper, radiator, cross-member, wings, motor, gearbox must all be removed, plus draining coolant and air-con. Dealer quotes are typically €2,000 including labor. Parts are often on back-order from France for 6+ weeks. Used converters available but must be recoded to VIN.
CCS rapid charging failures€0 - €500
Car won't communicate with CCS chargers, charging stops at 40%, software issues · more· less
The Zoe can be fussy with public DC fast chargers. Common issues: charger doesn't detect the car, charging stops around 40% SOC and won't restart, yellow charging light with error "Stop: 3003" (communication failure). The Zoe's CCS capability was added to a platform not originally designed for high-power DC charging, and it shows. Maximum DC speed is only 46 kW (not 50 kW), and this drops to around 30 kW after 50% SOC. Battery must be 25°C+ to get maximum speeds. Some owners report their CCS never worked from new - this is usually a software issue requiring dealer reprogramming (€200-500). A weak 12V battery can also cause all manner of charging faults. The car is picky about chargers with poor grounding. Supporting the heavy DC cable while connecting can help establish communication.
Brake system warning / ABS sensor€150 - €800
"Check braking system" error, hill start assist fails, regenerative braking stops · more· less
Common warnings: "Check braking system," "Check ABS," "Hill start assist not working," regenerative braking stops working, electronic parking brake won't engage. Most common cause is a weak 12V battery (check first!). Second most common: ABS wheel speed sensor failure, requiring sensor + driveshaft bearing replacement (€400-800). Third: brake fluid level low or contaminated (€60 for flush). Sometimes the electronic parking brake actuator switch just needs cycling on/off multiple times with car restarts to clear the fault (free). If issue persists after 12V battery replacement, have dealer read fault codes with proper Renault diagnostics or use CanZE with OBD reader.
Tire wear (EVs accelerate wear)€400 - €600
Front tires wear 20% faster than ICE cars, need replacement at 15,000-25,000 km · more· less
EV tires wear about 20% faster than conventional cars due to instant torque and heavier weight (battery). Zoe owners report disappointing tire life: all 4 tires replaced at 17,500 miles on rural roads, or fronts down to 4mm after only 8,000 miles on Michelin Primacy 4s. Original Michelin Energy EV tires lasted 18,000 spirited miles on fronts (wearing on outside shoulder). Rear tires last much longer. EV-specific tires are expensive: €100-165 per tire for Michelin e.Primacy vs €50-90 for budget options. Tire pressure is critical - keep at least 36 PSI (many owners run 38.5 PSI) to prevent outer tread wear. Total cost for 4 tires: €400-660 depending on brand.
Door handle sticking / door lock sensor€50 - €300
Handle sticks in open position, door shows as open when closed, keyless entry fails · more· less
Common problem: front passenger door handle sticks in open position, triggering "door open" dashboard alert while driving. Also: door lock switch breaks causing system to register door as open even when shut, preventing car from locking. Mechanical failures of extendable door handles can occur as early as 20,000 km due to wear or icing. Quick fix: spray silicone lubricant into the opening where handle retracts (€10 DIY). If lock sensor fails, it's usually a faulty microswitch, loose connection, or cracked wire - minor repair if technician knows their job (€100-200 labor). Full door handle replacement costs €200-300 (part + labor). Handle has 4-wire plug: 2 wires for button microswitch, 2 for proximity antenna for keyless entry.
Reversing camera failure€150 - €400
Camera intermittently shows "unavailable" message, fails about once per week · more· less
Multiple owners report the reversing camera intermittently failing, displaying a message that it's unavailable. Some report it fails around once per week. The issue appears to be connection-related rather than camera hardware failure. Often the camera will work again after a car restart. If the camera fails completely, replacement costs €150-250 for the part plus €100-150 labor. Sometimes it's just a loose connection at the camera or head unit that can be resolved by reseating connectors (€80-100 diagnostic + labor if dealer does it, free if you DIY).
Infotainment system freezes (EasyLink / R-Link)€0 - €800
Screen freezes, no audio, navigation voice guidance fails, "connecting..." loop · more· less
ZE50 EasyLink issues: SatNav no voice guidance, system stuck on "software update initializing," connected services stuck in "Disconnected" state, automatic updates don't work. Older ZE40/ZE20 R-Link issues: complete audio loss (radio, Bluetooth calls), touchscreen unresponsive. First try: hard reboot by pressing power icon for 5+ seconds (ZE50) or press Home button 5 times rapidly (older models). If that doesn't work, pull fuse F26 in cabin fusebox near glovebox (have radio code ready). If completely dead, may need dealer software update or head unit replacement (€600-800). Some early Zoe TCUs (Telematics Control Units) were faulty and many were replaced under warranty. Connected services subscription expires after 3 years and requires paid renewal.
Drop links fail frequently, shocks wear at 60,000-100,000 km, creaking/rattling · more· less
Drop link failure is very common on the Zoe - they fail with "monotonous regularity" and are treated as "fair wear and tear" by extended warranty (not covered). Symptoms: knocking and squeaking from front suspension, especially over bumps. Drop links cost €80-150 per pair + €100-150 labor. Shock absorbers (struts) should last 60,000-100,000 km but some owners needed replacement at 35,000-40,000 km. Signs of failed shocks: bouncy ride, car doesn't settle after 2 oscillations in bounce test, loud cracking noise when turning. Front shocks + top mounts replacement: €300-500 parts (aftermarket Bilstein €160/pair) + €200-300 labor. Creaking while parking indicates strut top mount bushing/bearing failure.
Low daily costs, but expensive out-of-warranty repairs
The Zoe is cheap to run day-to-day with minimal maintenance and low electricity costs (€250-400/year for 15,000 km). However, when major components fail outside warranty - especially the Chameleon charger or DC-DC converter - repair bills can reach €2,000-9,000 due to extreme labor complexity. The 12V battery management is poor and requires either a trickle charger or frequent driving. Best as a second car for short commutes with home charging, or with extended warranty coverage.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete service records essential. Verify yearly services at Renault dealer or qualified EV specialist. Check service book or Renault app for history.
Battery State of Health (SOH)
Use CanZE app with OBD reader or dealer diagnostics. Should be >75% for battery warranty coverage. Expect 90% SOH after 3 years / 75,000 km.
Battery ownership status
Verify if battery is owned or leased. Models with "i" designation indicate owned battery, but this is often misused. Check registration documents.
Tires
Check tread depth (minimum 3mm), age (date codes), and uneven wear. Front tires wear much faster than rear.
12V battery test
Have 12V battery tested - should be 12.6V+ at rest. Ask when last replaced. Weak 12V causes spurious warnings.
Specific for this vehicle
Test both AC and DC charging
Plug into Type 2 AC charger - should start charging immediately. If CCS-equipped, test DC rapid charging - should reach 40-46 kW initially. Watch for "Battery Charging Impossible" errors.
Check heating and air conditioning
Test both heat and cool modes. Compressor should kick in (audible). Set cabin to 25°C - should reach it within 10 minutes. Poor heating indicates low refrigerant.
Verify CCS rapid charging capability
Check DVLA MOT history with registration number - should say "rapid charge" in model name if CCS-equipped. Visually inspect charge port for extra DC pins below Type 2 socket.
Test all door handles and locks
Operate all 4 door handles - should extend smoothly and retract fully. Test keyless entry. Check dashboard doesn't show "door open" when all closed.
Check for brake system warnings
Drive for 15+ minutes. Watch for "Check braking system," ABS, or hill assist warnings. Test regenerative braking - should slow car noticeably when lifting accelerator.
Test reversing camera and sensors
Engage reverse multiple times. Camera should activate every time. Test parking sensors if equipped.
Check infotainment system
Test touchscreen responsiveness, audio output (radio + Bluetooth), navigation. Try rebooting system (press power icon 5+ seconds on ZE50).
Suspension noise check
Drive over speed bumps and rough roads slowly. Listen for knocking, creaking, or rattling from front suspension (drop links). Turn steering full lock while creeping forward - strut top mount should be silent.
Verify warranty status and recalls
Check remaining manufacturer warranty (5 years/160,000 km). Battery warranty: 8 years/160,000 km for owned batteries. Contact Renault with VIN to verify recall completion.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Battery fire risk (September 2023 production)Verify completed
Accelerator pedal (November 2017 production)Check if applicable
Various software updates for BMS, chargerDealer diagnostics
Contact Renault dealer with VIN to verify all recalls and TSBs completed. Important: many charging and battery issues are resolved with software updates. Check for TCU (Telematics Control Unit) replacement if connectivity is poor - early units were faulty.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (registered after 18/12/2019)5 years / 160,000 km
Battery warranty (owned battery models)8 years / 160,000 km to 66% SOH
Extended warranty (annual renewal)€400-600/year, until 10 years old
2019-2023 Zoes have 5-year factory warranty. Battery warranty covers capacity degradation below 66% SOH (owned batteries) or 75% SOH (leased batteries). Extended warranty must be purchased before original expires (before car is 4 years old, <160,000 km). Can renew annually up to 10 years / 160,000 km maximum. Check if previous owner purchased extended warranty - it transfers with the car.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.