2016 Renault Kadjar problems
The 2016 Renault Kadjar was sold with 3 engines and 1 gearbox that we have documented: the 1.2 TCe, the 1.6 dCi, the EDC gearbox and the 1.5 dCi. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 1.5 dCi (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2016 cars, such as rear door lock fault that let children open the doors while driving.
2016 Renault Kadjar score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 17 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine5.5From 4.6 to 6.8 depending on the engine
- Gearbox8.1Manual: no faults · EDC: 6.2
- Suspension7.51 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes8.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering6.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.3 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights7.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment9.31 fault
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety7.11 fault
What changes compared with the 2015 Renault Kadjar
- Score: 5.8 → 5.9
- No longer affected by: recall for the side airbags and the fuel filler neck fixing (2015 cars) (rest of the car)
1.2 TCe engine in the 2016 Renault Kadjar
Names: TCe 130
- With caution
1.2 TCe 115-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built up to mid-2016)
115–130 hp · H5Ft, HRA2DDT
It carries the piston ring sealing defect that can end in oil consumption and engine failure. Only worth considering with on-time maintenance invoices, proof of reprogramming or of a ring or engine replacement, good compression and normal oil consumption; Renault's assistance was limited to cars under 10 years old or 100,000 km.[4][5][6]
- Buy
1.2 TCe 100-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built from mid-2016)
100–130 hp · H5Ft, HRA2DDT
According to L'argus, the defect affects engines built up to 11 May 2016 and later production carries the fix; we have not found independent sources documenting the same problem afterwards. As with any turbo engine, keep an eye on the oil level.[4][7]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonLubricationExcessive oil consumption and engine failure1.2 TCe and 1.2 DIG-T engines built from 2012 to mid-2016 can burn more than 1 litre of oil per 1,000 km because the piston rings do not seal properly; carbon damages the valves and the engine can fail. There was no recall: the dealer network reprograms and replaces rings or the engine.Repair: €5,000–€10,000
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain stretch and breakageThe 1.2 TCe chain has no scheduled replacement, but in engines that burn oil the low level makes the camshaft phaser vibrate and the chain stretches until it becomes noisy or breaks. The dealer network replaces the tensioner if compression is good; if not, the short block or the engine.
1.6 dCi engine in the 2016 Renault Kadjar
Names: Energy dCi 130
- With caution
1.6 Energy dCi Euro 6 with NOx trap (130 and 160/165 hp, 2015-2019)
130–165 hp · R9M
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.[9][10][11][12][13]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
EDC gearbox in the 2016 Renault Kadjar
Names: dCi 110/130 EDC6 · TCe 130/160 EDC7 · Blue dCi 115 EDC7
- With caution
EDC6 (6-speed: DC4 dry or DW6 wet)
· DC4, DW6
It is the version with the most documented complaints of clutch wear, low-speed judder and complete failures, especially in its dry-clutch variant (DC4); before buying, check the gearbox history and take a demanding test drive both cold and warm.[15][16]
- With caution
EDC7 (7-speed, wet clutch, DW5)
· DW5
The specialist press praises its smoothness compared with the EDC6, but it is not free of faults: Renault had to update the calibration of the first Mégane IV GT cars by software because of a gearbox overheating that increased the risk of an accident. Also check the vehicle's history and that there are no stored gearbox warnings.[16][17]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTransmissionEDC gearbox overheating and safety neutralYes: several owners document that the EDC gearbox can drop into neutral or lose its gears when it overheats under sustained load, and Renault even updated the EDC7 (DW5) gearbox software of the first Mégane IV GT cars because the overheating increased the risk of an accident.Repair (garage): €2,100
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsControl electronics fault: "check gearbox" warning and loss of gearsYes: a fault in the sensors or switches that tell the control unit the position of each clutch (the "manocontact") can make the EDC gearbox lose the gears associated with one of the two clutches, for example only the even gears or only reverse, with a "check gearbox" warning on the dashboard.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonClutchPremature dry clutch wear and low-speed judder (EDC6/DC4)Yes: the dry-clutch EDC6 (DC4) is known for juddering and running roughly at low speed, and its clutch wears out sooner than one in a wet gearbox; several owners document clutch and complete gearbox replacements across different Renault models since 2010.
- High severityFrequency: RareLubricationOil leak from the EDC output shaft sealOne documented case (Renault Captur 1.2 TCe 120, failure at 48,000 km) describes an oil leak from the output shaft seal ("joint spy") of the EDC gearbox that ended in a complete automatic gearbox failure; we have not found other cases with the same exact diagnosis.
1.5 dCi engine in the 2016 Renault Kadjar
Names: 1.5 dCi 110 · 1.5 Blue dCi 115
- Buy
1.5 dCi Energy Euro 6 with NOx trap (90 and 110 hp, 2015-2018)
90–110 hp · K9K 500, K9K 628, K9K 647
There are no documented recurring serious faults: there are isolated cases of injectors and turbo failures that are much rarer than in earlier generations. On 2015 Captur and Kadjar models, check that the emissions campaign has been carried out.[18][21][22]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
- 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: 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.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlNOx trap and AdBlue system on the Euro 6 1.5 dCiThe 2015 Euro 6b 1.5 dCi engines had a badly calibrated NOx trap that Renault corrected with recall campaigns. On the Blue dCi (from 2018), the AdBlue pump, tank or injector can fail, with an emissions warning and even the car locked out with a full tank.
Faults outside the engine in the 2016 Renault Kadjar
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyRear door lock fault that let children open the doors while drivingRenault recalled around 30,000 Kadjar cars built in Palencia between June 2015 and March 2018 because the child safety lock on the rear doors did not always engage, which allowed them to be opened from the inside while the car was moving.Repair: €0
- Medium severityFrequency: RareSuspensionNoise and premature wear of the front suspensionOwner testimonies describe knocking from the front axle over bumps, faster-than-normal wear of ball joints and bushes, and the odd case of pulling to one side; there are no studies or official campaigns confirming it as a widespread pattern in the Kadjar.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareElectronics and infotainmentR-Link multimedia system freezes and false driver assistance warningsOwner testimonies describe freezes and restarts of the R-Link multimedia system, a black screen on start-up, wrong navigation routes, and false warnings from assistance systems such as active braking or the reversing radar; there is no confirmation from the press or the manufacturer.
Buying a 2016 Renault Kadjar?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Renault Kadjar reliable?
The 2016 Renault Kadjar was sold with 3 engines and 1 gearbox that we have documented: the 1.2 TCe, the 1.6 dCi, the EDC gearbox and the 1.5 dCi. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 1.5 dCi (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2016 cars, such as rear door lock fault that let children open the doors while driving.
Is the 2016 Renault Kadjar better than the 2015?
Our score goes from 5.8 in 2015 to 5.9 in 2016. No longer affected by: recall for the side airbags and the fuel filler neck fixing (2015 cars) (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the Renault Kadjar?
According to our score, the best is 2022 (7.6/10). The year with the worst score is 2015 (5.8/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2016 Renault Kadjar have?
The most important ones documented for 2016 cars are: excessive oil consumption and engine failure (1.2 TCe, critical severity), rear door lock fault that let children open the doors while driving (airbags and safety, critical severity), timing chain stretch and breakage (1.2 TCe, high severity), premature turbocharger failure or breakage (1.6 dCi, high severity) and oil leak from the timing chain cover (1.6 dCi, high severity).
Own a 2016 Renault Kadjar? 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 Kadjar 2015: ¿Gasolina o diésel?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 30 June 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
- Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Casse moteur Renault 1.2 TCe : 107 000 Renault concernéesL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 March 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Renault 1.2 TCe et Nissan 1.2 DIG-T : des moteurs gourmands en huileL'argus · Motoring press · published 12 October 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Problème moteur Renault-Dacia 1.2 TCe, Nissan 1.2 DIG-T et Mercedes - Vos questions, nos réponsesUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 24 May 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Renault KadjarWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- 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
- Renault KadjarWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité de la boîte EDC : problèmes en série ?fiches-auto.fr · Technical documentation · published February 2020 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Essai Renault Scénic 4 dCi 110 EDC7 : le test du Scénic automatiqueL'Argus · Motoring press · published September 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- FACUA alerta de la llamada a revisión de los Renault Megane IV GT por un problema en la caja de cambiosFACUA · Consumer association · published 26 April 2017 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiabilité du Renault Kadjar : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 November 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Diesels : volant moteur défectueuxFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · published 17 October 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Renault K-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
- Fiabilité du Dacia Duster 2 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 27 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité du Renault Captur : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 2 March 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French