Renault Kadjar 1.2 TCe 130 hp problems
The Renault Kadjar used the 1.2 TCe from 2015 to 2018 (TCe 130). 2 documented faults affect it; the most important is “excessive oil consumption and engine failure” (critical severity, common). Our verdict depends on the version: “Buy” for 1.2 TCe 100-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built from mid-2016); “With caution” for 1.2 TCe 115-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built up to mid-2016). Among the documented engines of the Renault Kadjar, the safest option is the 1.5 dCi.
Engine score on this car
4.6 out of 10Low reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Kadjar. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Renault Kadjar
5.8 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
Renault-Nissan 1.2 TCe / 1.2 DIG-T (H5Ft / HRA2DDT) · Petrol
- Name
- TCe 130
- Faults that affect it
- 2 · all of high or critical severity
Verdict for the versions it uses
1.2 TCe 115-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built up to mid-2016)2012–2016 · 115–130 hp · H5Ft, HRA2DDT
With cautionIt 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]
1.2 TCe 100-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built from mid-2016)2016–2018 · 100–130 hp · H5Ft, HRA2DDT
BuyAccording 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 the Kadjar
- 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.
What to check before buying a used Renault Kadjar 1.2 TCe 130 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 1.2 TCe (2015–2018)
Excessive oil consumption and engine failure
Critical severityTiming chain stretch and breakage
High severityOther engines and gearboxes of the Renault Kadjar
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the Renault Kadjar outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- 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
- Critical severityFrequency: RareAirbags and safetyRecall for the side airbags and the fuel filler neck fixing (2015 cars)Renault recalled Kadjar cars built in Palencia between January and June 2015 because the side curtain airbags could deploy incorrectly in an accident, and it also found insufficient fixing of the fuel tank filler neck.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 Renault Kadjar 1.2 TCe 130 hp?
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The Renault Kadjar has 2 documented recalls and campaigns. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the Renault Kadjar 1.2 TCe 130 hp reliable?
The Renault Kadjar used the 1.2 TCe from 2015 to 2018 (TCe 130). 2 documented faults affect it; the most important is “excessive oil consumption and engine failure” (critical severity, common). Our verdict depends on the version: “Buy” for 1.2 TCe 100-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built from mid-2016); “With caution” for 1.2 TCe 115-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built up to mid-2016). Among the documented engines of the Renault Kadjar, the safest option is the 1.5 dCi.
What faults does the Renault Kadjar 1.2 TCe 130 hp have?
The documented ones that affect this car are: excessive oil consumption and engine failure (critical severity) and timing chain stretch and breakage (high severity).
Which engine should you choose for the Renault Kadjar?
The safest option is the 1.5 dCi in its 1.5 dCi Energy Euro 6 with NOx trap (90 and 110 hp, 2015-2018) version, with a «Buy» verdict.
Own a Renault Kadjar 1.2 TCe 130 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 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
- Moteur 1.2 Renault - 400 000 voitures en dangerUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 24 May 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Moteur 1.2 Renault - Les constructeurs minimisentUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 31 July 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Petición afectados motores defectuosos RenaultOCU · Consumer association · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Renault Mégane 1.2 TCe: ¿cuánto cuesta su mantenimiento?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 20 July 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish