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Renault Master II problems (1998–2010)

The only engine of the Renault Master II that we have documented, the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6, 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]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the Master II stands out for precautionary recalls: the steering wheel fixing on 2003-2004 vehicles, the parking brake on those built between October 2005 and January 2006, and the front seat welds in 2008-2009. We have not found reliability studies or costs in euros.[3][4]

Renault Master II (1998–2010)
Photo: Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468106.1out of 10

Renault Master II rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 5 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Engine6.42 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension7.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes7.41 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering7.51 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights7.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior5.9Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.6 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety7.11 fault

The weak points of the Renault Master II

  1. 1Critical severity: Big-end bearing failure in the 2.2 dCi (G9T)2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 engine
  2. 2Critical severity: Defective welds on the front seat mountingAirbags and safety
  3. 3High severity: Steering wheel loose on the steering column splinesSteering
  4. 4High severity: Parking brake failure due to the lever or cable of the rear calipersBrakes
  5. 5Medium severity: Blocked EGR valve and turbo and injector faults on the 2.2 dCi (G9T)2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 engine

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

7 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Defective welds on the single front seat (Master II, February 2010). See the campaigns for the Renault Master II

7 sourcesHow we work

2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

Renault 2.2 dCi (G9T) and 3.0 dCi V6 (P9X, de origen Isuzu) · Diesel

In the Master II
1999–2003[5]
Name
2.2 dCi
Faults that affect it
2 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
36
Moderate risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 2.2 dCi 115-150 (G9T)2001–2009 · 115–150 hp · G9T

    With caution

    There are reports of big-end bearing failures and clogged EGR valves; check the history and whether the bearings have already been replaced.[1][2]

Faults that affect the Master II

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 has 3 documented faults in total.

  1. Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockBig-end bearing failure in the 2.2 dCi (G9T)L'argus flags big-end bearing failure as a known weakness of Renault's dCi diesels of the era, and there are owner accounts of Laguna II and Avantime cars with the 2.2. There are no incidence statistics: it is an anecdotally documented risk, but with a very serious consequence.
  2. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlBlocked EGR valve and turbo and injector faults on the 2.2 dCi (G9T)On the 150 hp 2.2 dCi, forums frequently cite a blocked EGR valve, turbo failures between 80,000 and 140,000 km (according to one forum) and seized injectors; L'argus confirms that carbon build-up affects dCi engines in general. These are mid-cost faults that do not usually destroy the engine.

Master II 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 pageAll versions and faults of the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

Faults of the Renault Master II 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 Master II

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 4,000 inspections of 1,733 cars registered between 1998 and 2009, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 14.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 14.1%.

    Average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 20% of inspections; in cars of its age, 16.2%.

    Average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 10% of inspections; in cars of its age, 8.9%.

    Average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 31.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 32.5%.

    Average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 6.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4%.

    More defects than average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 2.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 16.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 17.9%.

    Average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 10.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 10.5%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 15.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 18.5%.

    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 Master II

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 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 (1999–2003)

Big-end bearing failure in the 2.2 dCi (G9T)

Critical severity

Blocked EGR valve and turbo and injector faults on the 2.2 dCi (G9T)

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Renault Master II

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. Affiliate links

Buying a Renault Master II?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

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

Frequently asked questions

Is the Renault Master II reliable?

The only engine of the Renault Master II that we have documented, the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6, 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 Master II stands out for precautionary recalls: the steering wheel fixing on 2003-2004 vehicles, the parking brake on those built between October 2005 and January 2006, and the front seat welds in 2008-2009. We have not found reliability studies or costs in euros.

What problems does the Renault Master II have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, the Master II stands out for precautionary recalls: the steering wheel fixing on 2003-2004 vehicles, the parking brake on those built between October 2005 and January 2006, and the front seat welds in 2008-2009. We have not found reliability studies or costs in euros. The most important documented faults are: defective welds on the front seat mounting (airbags and safety, critical severity), steering wheel loose on the steering column splines (steering, high severity) and parking brake failure due to the lever or cable of the rear calipers (brakes, high severity).[3][4]

What faults does the Renault Master II have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: big-end bearing failure in the 2.2 dCi (G9T) (2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6, critical severity) and blocked EGR valve and turbo and injector faults on the 2.2 dCi (G9T) (2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6, medium severity).

What is the best year to buy a Renault Master II?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1 other years with the same rating (7.8/10); the worst rated is 2003 (7.0/10). 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 Master II have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 7 campaigns for the Renault Master II, such as defective welds on the single front seat (Master II, February 2010) (2010). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[4]

Sources

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

  1. Laguna II : remplacement préventif coussinet de bielle 2.2 dCiPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  2. Avantime : casse moteur 2.2 dCiPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  3. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Renault Master Combi Normaldach kurz 2,8t 2.2 dCi (09/02 - 10/06): Rückrufe & MängelADAC (Autokatalog) · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  5. Renault G-Type engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  6. Tous modèles diesels modernes : les principaux incidentsPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  7. Avis de propriétaires Renault Vel Satis (2.2 y 3.0 dCi)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French