Renault Fluence 1.5 dCi 90 and 110 hp problems
The Renault Fluence used the 1.5 dCi from 2010 to 2016 (dCi 90 and dCi 110). 4 documented faults affect it; the most important is “premature timing belt failure” (critical severity, occasional). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the Renault Fluence, the safest option is the 2.0 MR20DE / 2.5 QR25DE.
Engine score on this car
5.7 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Fluence. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Renault Fluence
5.4 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
Renault 1.5 dCi (K9K) · Diesel
- In the Fluence
- 2010–2016[1]
- Names
- dCi 90 · dCi 110
- Faults that affect it
- 4 · 2 of high or critical severity
Verdict for the version it uses
1.5 dCi Euro 5 with particulate filter (75, 90, 95 and 110 hp, 2010-2015)2010–2015 · 75–110 hp · K9K 608, K9K 609, K9K 656, K9K 770, K9K 832, K9K 836, K9K 837, K9K 846, K9K 892, K9K 896
With cautionThe 90 hp has an excellent record. On the 110 hp it is worth checking the turbo, the injectors and, on the first units with a DPF, the condition of the filter; on a 2010 Scénic III, check the belt change. Caradisiac considers the engine fully sorted from 2012.[2][3][4]
Faults that affect the Fluence
Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 1.5 dCi has 8 documented faults in total.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingPremature timing belt failureOn the 85, 105 and 110 hp 1.5 dCi engines built up to late 2010, especially in the Mégane III and Scénic III, the timing belt could break early, sometimes before 50,000 km, and damage the engine. Renault opened a workshop action in 2013.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboPremature turbo failure and intake hoses that come looseThe turbo on the 105 and 110 hp 1.5 dCi can fail early: Caradisiac documents it on the Clio III, Scénic III and Qashqai II, sometimes before 80,000 km. More common and cheaper is for a turbo intake hose to come loose or burst and the engine to lose power.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalClutchPremature dual-mass flywheel failure and clutch problemsThe 105 and 110 hp 1.5 dCi engines can break the dual-mass flywheel early, sometimes before 40,000 km. It warns you with vibrations at idle and metallic noises, and forces you to replace the clutch and flywheel assembly.Repair (garage): €700–€1,300
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector and injector seal failuresThe 1.5 dCi injectors, or their seals, can fail early, especially on the 110 hp, causing rough running, jerking or hard starting. Replacing the affected injector is usually enough; Caradisiac still reports cases on the Kadjar and Duster II.
What to check before buying a used Renault Fluence 1.5 dCi 90 and 110 hp
Each point comes from a documented fault that affects this car. You can tick them off as you inspect it.
If it has the 1.5 dCi (2010–2016)
Premature timing belt failure
Critical severityPremature dual-mass flywheel failure and clutch problems
Medium severityInjector and injector seal failures
Medium severityOther engines and gearboxes of the Renault Fluence
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the Renault Fluence outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsWheel bolts under-tightened on cars built in 2015Yes: a Safety Gate alert (A12/0087/16) covers Fluence X38 cars built between 1 April and 6 November 2015, because insufficiently tightened wheel bolts could cause a wheel to be lost while driving. It is a preventive recall: check with your VIN whether your car is included.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionRear axle stub axle bolt badly tightened on cars from February 2016Yes: Safety Gate alert A12/1664/16 covers Fluence cars built between 1 and 17 February 2016, because the rear stub axle bolt (right, left or both) may have been left untightened or badly tightened, with a risk of sudden loss of the wheel. It is a preventive and very narrow recall.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorPremature deterioration of the steering wheel trim, gear knob and seatSeveral owners compiled by fiches-auto.fr say that the leather on the steering wheel, gear knob and driver's seat degrades sooner than expected, sometimes with parts replaced. There is no campaign or public bulletin about it.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorBroken or noisy door check strapsSome owners compiled by fiches-auto.fr report doors that creak or make a loud noise when opened and door check straps that break or have to be replaced several times. It is a nuisance with no safety implications, and there is no official campaign.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentCar radio and multimedia GPS faultsIt is the most repeated electrical complaint on fiches-auto.fr for the Fluence: 6 of the 87 reports mention the radio or CD. One testimony describes a GPS/radio that switches on with the car locked. There is no campaign or official data.
Buying a Renault Fluence 1.5 dCi 90 and 110 hp?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
The Renault Fluence has 2 documented recalls and campaigns. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the Renault Fluence 1.5 dCi 90 and 110 hp reliable?
The Renault Fluence used the 1.5 dCi from 2010 to 2016 (dCi 90 and dCi 110). 4 documented faults affect it; the most important is “premature timing belt failure” (critical severity, occasional). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the Renault Fluence, the safest option is the 2.0 MR20DE / 2.5 QR25DE.
What faults does the Renault Fluence 1.5 dCi 90 and 110 hp have?
The documented ones that affect this car are: premature timing belt failure (critical severity), premature turbo failure and intake hoses that come loose (high severity), premature dual-mass flywheel failure and clutch problems (medium severity) and injector and injector seal failures (medium severity).
Which engine should you choose for the Renault Fluence?
The safest option is the 2.0 MR20DE / 2.5 QR25DE, with a «Buy» verdict.
Own a Renault Fluence 1.5 dCi 90 and 110 hp? 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 Fluence - WikipediaWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
- Fiabilité du 1.5 dCiFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published 19 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Maxi-fiche fiabilité : que vaut le Renault Scénic 3 en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 2 February 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité du Nissan Qashqai 2 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 22 December 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Renault Mégane 3 : que vaut le modèle en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 25 November 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- A cuántos kilómetros se cambia la correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 14 May 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Maxi-fiche fiabilité : que vaut le Dacia Duster en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 18 January 2012 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Volante bimasa, averías y precio de sustituciónDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 3 November 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiabilité du Renault Captur : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 2 March 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French