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Renault Espace V problems (2015–2023)

The only engine of the Renault Espace V that we have documented, the 1.6 dCi, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «With caution».[1][2][3][4][5]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the Renault Espace V stands out for R-Link multimedia system faults, noises and play in the front axle, and noises and faults in the 4Control steering rear axle. It all rests on 275 owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, with no official figures.[1][6]

Renault Espace V (2015–2023)
Photo: M 93 · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468105.8out of 10

Renault Espace V rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 13 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Engine5.25 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension5.72 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Brakes7.91 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering8.71 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Electrical system7.91 fault
  • Headlights and lights8.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment9.31 fault
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior7.51 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Airbags and safety7.91 fault

Ranked 26 of 46 among the MPVs with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Renault Espace V

  1. 1High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or breakage1.6 dCi engine · repair €3,000
  2. 2High severity: Oil leak from the timing chain cover1.6 dCi engine
  3. 3High severity: 2016 brake recalls: front brake hose and ABS/ESC hydraulic unitBrakes
  4. 4High severity: Passive safety recalls: seatbelts, seat rails, curtain airbags and child lockAirbags and safety
  5. 5High severity: Body recalls: bonnet, sunroof and rear spoilerBodywork and interior

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

14 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Rear spoiler fixing (2020). See the campaigns for the Renault Espace V

7 sourcesHow we work

1.6 dCi

Renault/Nissan 1.6 dCi (R9M) · Diesel

In the Espace V
2015–2023[1][6]
Names
Energy dCi 130 · Energy dCi 160
Faults that affect it
5 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
48
Moderate risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 1.6 Energy dCi Euro 6 with NOx trap (130 and 160/165 hp, 2015-2019)2015–2019 · 130–165 hp · R9M

    With caution

    This is the version with the most documented faults in the reliability reports consulted: turbo, EGR valve, particulate filter, injectors and, in the Kadjar and Espace V, oil leaks around the timing area. Its NOx trap system also prompted a recall in France over excess real-world emissions.[1][2][3][4][5]

Faults that affect the Espace V

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonTurboPremature turbocharger failure or breakageThe 1.6 dCi turbo fails fairly often, sometimes at low mileage: fiches-auto documents failures between 23,000 and 113,000 km in the Kadjar, Qashqai II, X-Trail III and Espace V, with loss of power and, in several cases, the manufacturer refusing to cover the cost out of warranty.Repair (garage): €3,000
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingOil leak from the timing chain coverThe 1.6 dCi uses a timing chain, not a belt, but several Kadjar and Espace V owners describe oil leaks around the chain cover or casing, in some cases serious enough to require removing part of the engine.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlBlocked or failed EGR valveThe 1.6 dCi EGR valve gets dirty and can stick or stop sealing, especially in cars used around town. Fiches-auto flags it as one of the most repeated defects in the Renault Espace V and documents a case of double replacement in a Kadjar (at 85,000 km and again at 95,000 km).Repair (garage): €250–€1,000
  4. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlBlocked diesel particulate filter (DPF)In urban and short-journey use the 1.6 dCi DPF can block up early: fiches-auto records a case in an X-Trail III at only 10,000 km and 4 months. A software adjustment on the first Kadjar units (up to July 2015) also affected NOx emissions management.Repair (garage): €600–€1,500
  5. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector failuresThe 1.6 dCi injectors can fail individually or, in more serious cases, several at once: fiches-auto documents 6 cases in the Espace V and one failed injector with loss of power on the motorway in a Kadjar.Repair (garage): €250–€1,700

Espace V 1.6 dCi pageAll versions and faults of the 1.6 dCi

Faults of the Renault Espace V outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Renault Espace V

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 1,439 inspections of 711 cars registered between 2016 and 2022, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 6.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.1%.

    Many more defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 2.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.7%.

    Average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.9%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 6.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 11%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.1%.

    Average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 0.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.9%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 0.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.7%.

    Average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 2.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.5%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 16.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 14.9%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Renault Espace V

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 1.6 dCi (2015–2023)

Premature turbocharger failure or breakage

High severity

Oil leak from the timing chain cover

High severity

Blocked or failed EGR valve

Medium severity

Blocked diesel particulate filter (DPF)

Medium severity

Injector failures

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Renault Espace V

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. More information

Buying a Renault Espace V?

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Own a Renault Espace V? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Renault Espace V reliable?

The only engine of the Renault Espace V that we have documented, the 1.6 dCi, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «With caution». Outside the engine, the Renault Espace V stands out for R-Link multimedia system faults, noises and play in the front axle, and noises and faults in the 4Control steering rear axle. It all rests on 275 owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, with no official figures.

What problems does the Renault Espace V have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, the Renault Espace V stands out for R-Link multimedia system faults, noises and play in the front axle, and noises and faults in the 4Control steering rear axle. It all rests on 275 owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, with no official figures. The most important documented faults are: 2016 brake recalls: front brake hose and ABS/ESC hydraulic unit (brakes, high severity), passive safety recalls: seatbelts, seat rails, curtain airbags and child lock (airbags and safety, high severity), body recalls: bonnet, sunroof and rear spoiler (bodywork and interior, high severity) and 2015 electrical recalls: battery sensor earth and auxiliary heater (electrical system, high severity).[1][6]

What faults does the Renault Espace V have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: premature turbocharger failure or breakage (1.6 dCi, high severity), oil leak from the timing chain cover (1.6 dCi, high severity), blocked or failed EGR valve (1.6 dCi, medium severity), blocked diesel particulate filter (DPF) (1.6 dCi, medium severity) and injector failures (1.6 dCi, medium severity).

What is the best year to buy a Renault Espace V?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2023, 2022, 2021 and 1 other years with the same rating (7.9/10); the worst rated is 2015 (5.8/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Renault Espace V have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 14 campaigns for the Renault Espace V, such as rear spoiler fixing (2020) (2020). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Si no hubo fraude, ¿por qué 15.000 Renault Captur y Espace serán revisados por un nivel de emisiones excesivo?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 19 January 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Detecta así la avería en los inyectores y ahorra 1.000 €Autopista · Motoring press · published 21 March 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish