Renault referred to Paris criminal court over Dieselgate fraud
The Paris prosecutor’s office notified Renault Group on 27 July 2026 that the company is to be tried before the Paris criminal court for aggravated fraud linked to the Dieselgate emissions scandal. The referral order, issued on 24 July 2026, accuses Renault of deliberately calibrating diesel vehicles sold between 1 September 2009 and 12 January 2017 so they met test limits but emitted higher levels of nitrogen‑oxides in real driving conditions.
Renault rejects the allegations, stating that its vehicles have never been equipped with fraudulent detection devices and that they were always homologated in line with French and EU regulations. The prosecutor also asked that Peugeot‑Citroën and Fiat Chrysler face similar charges. A trial is not expected for several months, with a procedural hearing to set dates scheduled for 1 April 2027. The case follows earlier actions against Volkswagen, which was also referred to the Paris criminal court, and a recent UK High Court decision that dismissed related claims against Renault.
The prosecution claims the alleged calibration contributed to atmospheric nitrogen‑oxide pollution and may have increased respiratory disease risk among the public.
Entities: Fiat Chrysler · High Court of Justice (London) · Paris prosecutor’s office · Peugeot‑Citroën · Renault Group
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The UK High Court of Justice rejected claims against Renault over emissions. (Renault Group press release)
- [● 2 SOURCES] A procedural hearing to set trial dates is scheduled for 1 April 2027. (Paris prosecutor’s office)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Volkswagen was previously referred to the Paris criminal court in the Dieselgate scandal. (Paris prosecutor’s office)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The referral order was issued on 24 July 2026 and notified on 27 July 2026. (Paris prosecutor’s office)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Renault was referred to the Paris criminal court for aggravated fraud linked to the Dieselgate emissions scandal. (Paris prosecutor’s office)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Paris prosecutor also requested the referral of Peugeot‑Citroën and Fiat Chrysler. (Paris prosecutor’s office)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The alleged cheating concerns vehicles sold between 1 September 2009 and 12 January 2017. (Paris prosecutor’s office)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Renault claims its vehicles were never equipped with fraudulent detection devices and were homologated according to French and EU laws. (Renault Group press release)