The Renault Fuego spans 1983–1986 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. It delivers up to 24 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Renault Fuego is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1983 to 1986 across multiple generations.
How to read a Renault Fuego VIN — every digit explained
Every Renault Fuego carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Renault and the country it was built in (real Renault codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Fuego.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- FranceVF1 · VG8
- South KoreaKNM
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Fuego, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Renault Fuego have?
The Renault Fuego has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1983–1986. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1985 Renault Fuego recalls 1
Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
What's wrong. The steering wheel could loosen due to inadequate tightening of the wheel shaft nut. Consequence of defect: loosening of the steering wheel would affect the steering control of the car and may result in an accident.
Fix. Properly torque the nut and assure that it is retained.
Best and worst years for the Renault Fuego
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Renault Fuego — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Renault Fuego problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Renault Fuego — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Renault Fuego specifications & dimensions
The 1986 Renault Fuego. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Renault Fuego window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Renault Fuego cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Fuego holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Renault Fuego tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Renault Fuego get?
The Renault Fuego returns up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,600/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1986 Renault Fuego (2.2L 4-cyl) gets 23 mpg combined and costs about $2,700/yr to fuel, emitting 386 g/mi CO₂ — about $2,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 Fuego | 20 | 28 | $2,700 | 386 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 Fuego | 20 | 29 | $3,350 | 386 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1984 Fuego | 21 | 29 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Fuego stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Fuego's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Renault Fuego have? Power & range
The Renault Fuego is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.2L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Renault Fuego cost to own?
A Renault Fuego depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Check what a used Fuego is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Fuego loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $13,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Fuego ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Renault Fuego safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Fuego yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Renault Fuego last?
A well-maintained Renault Fuego typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Renault Fuego’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Fuego’s VIN free →All Renault Fuego model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Renault Fuego — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 Fuego | 0 | — | |
| 1985 Fuego | 1 recall | — | |
| 1984 Fuego | 0 | — | |
| 1983 Fuego | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Fuego?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Renault Fuego.
How many recalls does the Fuego have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1983–1986. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Fuego get?
Up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Fuego last?
A well-maintained Fuego typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Fuego reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Fuego is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Renault Fuego warranty?
New Renault models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Renault dealer.
Where is the Renault Fuego made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Fuego's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Renault may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Fuego have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.