2012 Renault Espace problems
The 2012 Renault Espace was sold with an engine that we have documented: the 2.0 dCi. The 2.0 dCi has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as electric parking brake failure (actuator, cable and sensor).
2012 Renault Espace score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 9 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine4.85 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension7.01 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes6.91 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering0.3Technical inspection (ITV) only: 3.9 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system8.91 fault
- Headlights and lights7.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.2 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control9.31 fault
- Bodywork and interior7.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2011 Renault Espace
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2011.
2.0 dCi engine in the 2012 Renault Espace
Names: 2.0 dCi 175
- With caution
2.0 dCi 160-177 (M9R, higher-output cars, 2006-2016)
160–177 hp · M9R
It shares the same weak points as the lower-output version (turbo, EGR, DPF, injectors) and, being fitted to heavier cars (SUVs, large MPVs), the turbo and injectors work harder.[3][4][5]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonTurboPremature turbocharger failureThe 2.0 dCi turbo fails relatively often, sometimes at low mileage: the reliability sheets consulted document dozens of cases in the Espace IV, Koleos and Laguna III, with whistling, loss of power and, in several cases, bluish smoke before the final failure.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain wear or breakageThe 2.0 dCi timing chain can stretch or, in the worst cases, break earlier than expected: there are documented cases between around 60,000 and more than 200,000 km in several models that use it. As the engine is an interference design between piston and valves, a breakage usually brings serious internal damage.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged particulate filter (DPF)The 2.0 dCi particulate filter clogs up fairly easily in urban or short-trip use: it is the most cited fault in the reliability sheets of the Qashqai (26 cases) and the Koleos (23 cases), with the warning light on, frequent regenerations and, in some cases, a need to replace the filter.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve blockageThe 2.0 dCi EGR valve gets dirty with carbon from the recirculated gases and can stick or stop sealing: it is the fault with the most reports in the Espace IV sheet (88 cases), with additional documented cases in the Laguna III and Qashqai.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionInjector failureThe 2.0 dCi injectors can fail in isolated cases, with documented cases in the Espace IV (81 reports), Laguna III (13) and Koleos (5); the most cited symptom is loss of power and, in the Laguna III, a case of fuel leakage with the engine fault risk warning light on.
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 Renault Espace
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesElectric parking brake failure (actuator, cable and sensor)According to the testimonials collected by fiches-auto.fr, the Espace IV's electric parking brake suffers repeated lock-ups: motor, cable or sensor faults, sometimes with a degraded mode caused by control unit errors. There is no exact count and no known campaign.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionPremature wear of suspension ball joints and bushesBall joints are the most cited suspension part: 34 of 537 testimonials, with cases of deteriorated bushes between 50,000 and 165,000 km and broken shock absorber springs from 100,000 km. It shows up as noises and play.
- Low severityFrequency: CommonElectrical systemElectric window regulator and motor failure in the doorsIt is a common fault according to the testimonials: 58 of 537 mention electric windows that fail, sometimes several windows on the same car, because weak plastic parts break the cable or the motor. There is no official campaign.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalClimate controlAir conditioning compressor failureThe Espace IV's air conditioning appears in 17 of 537 testimonials, mainly because of a seized compressor, with costs cited of 900 to 1,500 euros; solenoid valves, the condenser and the fan motor are also mentioned.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Renault Espace reliable?
The 2012 Renault Espace was sold with an engine that we have documented: the 2.0 dCi. The 2.0 dCi has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as electric parking brake failure (actuator, cable and sensor).
Is the 2012 Renault Espace better than the 2011?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2011 and 2012 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What is the best year for the Renault Espace?
According to our score, the best are 2009, 2008, 2007 and 1 other years with the same score (5.9/10). The year with the worst score is 2002 (5.5/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Renault Espace have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: timing chain wear or breakage (2.0 dCi, critical severity), premature turbocharger failure (2.0 dCi, high severity), electric parking brake failure (actuator, cable and sensor) (brakes, high severity), clogged particulate filter (DPF) (2.0 dCi, medium severity) and eGR valve blockage (2.0 dCi, medium severity).
Own a 2012 Renault Espace? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Renault Grand Espace 2.0 dCi PrivilegeAutopista · Motoring press · published 19 September 2006 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Renault Espace 4 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Renault Koleos : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French