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Renault Master III problems (2010–2024)

The only engine of the Renault Master III that we have documented, the 2.3 dCi (M9T), has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for 2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T) and 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T); «With caution» for 2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo).[1]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the Master III stands out for precautionary recalls notified in the EU: parking brake, steering, rear suspension, airbag, drivetrain, towing socket and body hinges. Each is limited to specific production windows; we have found no reliability studies or data on real-world failures.[2][3][4][5]

Renault Master III (2010–2024)
Photo: ГП · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468106.2out of 10

Renault Master III rating: acceptable reliability

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

  • Engine6.85 faults
  • Gearbox7.91 fault
  • Suspension7.91 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Brakes7.01 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering7.62 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Electrical system7.91 fault
  • Headlights and lights6.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.3 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior6.81 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Airbags and safety7.11 fault

Ranked 11 of 45 among the vans with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Renault Master III

  1. 1Critical severity: Steering column cover not tightened properly: risk of losing steering (2016-2017)Steering
  2. 2Critical severity: Loose or missing passenger airbag mounting bolts (2018-2019)Airbags and safety
  3. 3High severity: Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo2.3 dCi (M9T) engine · repair €1,200–€2,300
  4. 4High severity: Faulty rear right parking brake caliper (campaigns 0DM1 and C0173)Brakes
  5. 5High severity: No warning on the dashboard if the electric power steering pump fails (2017)Steering

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

9 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Incorrect rear right caliper on front-wheel-drive versions (Master III, February 2021). See the campaigns for the Renault Master III

9 sourcesHow we work

2.3 dCi (M9T)

Renault 2.3 dCi (M9T) · Diesel

In the Master III
2010–2024[6]
Name
2.3 dCi
Faults that affect it
5 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
32
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T)since 2010 · 100–125 hp · M9T

    Buy

    One source considers them the most durable of the engine's versions, although it is a single opinion source.[1]

  • 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T)since 2010 · 130–145 hp · M9T

    Buy

    The sources highlight this range as balanced, always with up-to-date maintenance.[1]

  • 2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo)since 2010 · 150–180 hp · M9T

    With caution

    The sources concentrate the injection and turbo warnings on these, although without figures.[1]

Faults that affect the Master III

  1. High severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlClogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turboThe 2.3 dCi's EGR valve clogs with soot in urban use and, if it breaks, its fragments can damage the turbo. A French source cites bills of €1,200 to €2,300 for the EGR and turbo together.Repair (garage): €1,200–€2,300
  2. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionFaulty injectors on the 2.3 dCiSome 2.3 dCi engines show the "injection problem" warning and go into limp mode, sometimes at low mileage. One source indicates between €400 and €1,800 for the repair.Repair (garage): €400–€1,800
  3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlDiesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban useIn urban deliveries with little mileage the particulate filter may fail to regenerate and become clogged. One source puts the servicing or replacement at between €350 and €1,500.Repair (garage): €350–€1,500
  4. High severityFrequency: RareFuelFuel pipe rubbing against the wiring harness (recall 0EC1)In July 2024 Renault recalled 35,039 Master 2.3 dCi vans built from 23-09-2014 to 27-09-2023 because of possible rubbing of the fuel pipe, which could leak. The fix is a spacer.
  5. Low severityFrequency: RareEmissions controlSCR system and AdBlue tank faultsOn Euro 6 engines with AdBlue there are documented SCR system faults. On the Navara D23 2.3 dCi EU6b (2016-2019) a software update campaign was carried out, covering 1,012 units in Poland.

Master III 2.3 dCi (M9T) pageAll versions and faults of the 2.3 dCi (M9T)

Faults of the Renault Master III 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 III

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 4,376 inspections of 1,800 cars registered between 2011 and 2022, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 4.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 5.3%.

    Average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 10.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.7%.

    More defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 35.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 26.9%.

    More defects than average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.7%.

    More defects than average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 0.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.4%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 2.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 7.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.7%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 17.5% 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 III

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 2.3 dCi (M9T) (2010–2024)

Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo

High severity

Faulty injectors on the 2.3 dCi

Medium severity

Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban use

Medium severity

Fuel pipe rubbing against the wiring harness (recall 0EC1)

High severity

SCR system and AdBlue tank faults

Low severity

Wear parts for the Renault Master III

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 III?

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Own a Renault Master III? 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 III reliable?

The only engine of the Renault Master III that we have documented, the 2.3 dCi (M9T), has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for 2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T) and 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T); «With caution» for 2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo). Outside the engine, the Master III stands out for precautionary recalls notified in the EU: parking brake, steering, rear suspension, airbag, drivetrain, towing socket and body hinges. Each is limited to specific production windows; we have found no reliability studies or data on real-world failures.

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

Outside the engine, the Master III stands out for precautionary recalls notified in the EU: parking brake, steering, rear suspension, airbag, drivetrain, towing socket and body hinges. Each is limited to specific production windows; we have found no reliability studies or data on real-world failures. The most important documented faults are: steering column cover not tightened properly: risk of losing steering (2016-2017) (steering, critical severity), loose or missing passenger airbag mounting bolts (2018-2019) (airbags and safety, critical severity), faulty rear right parking brake caliper (campaigns 0DM1 and C0173) (brakes, high severity) and no warning on the dashboard if the electric power steering pump fails (2017) (steering, high severity).[2][3][4][5]

What faults does the Renault Master III have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo (2.3 dCi (M9T), high severity), faulty injectors on the 2.3 dCi (2.3 dCi (M9T), medium severity), diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban use (2.3 dCi (M9T), medium severity), fuel pipe rubbing against the wiring harness (recall 0EC1) (2.3 dCi (M9T), high severity) and SCR system and AdBlue tank faults (2.3 dCi (M9T), low severity).

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

According to our rating by year, the best are 2024, 2023, 2022 and 1 other years with the same rating (8.0/10); the worst rated is 2017 (6.5/10). 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 III have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 9 campaigns for the Renault Master III, such as incorrect rear right caliper on front-wheel-drive versions (Master III, February 2021) (2021). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[2]

Sources

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

  1. Fiabilité Renault Master 2.3 dCiCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  2. Renault Master III (2021): recall of the parking brake calipercar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 1 August 2021 · consulted 5 October 2026
  3. Renault Master (2016-2017): recall of the steering column capcar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 12 April 2018 · consulted 5 October 2026
  4. Renault Master III (2018): recall of the rear leaf spring bracketscar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 3 October 2019 · consulted 5 October 2026
  5. Renault Master (2011-2013): recall of the transmission to rear axle boltscar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 1 May 2014 · consulted 5 October 2026
  6. Renault Master (tercera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  7. Renault Master III 2.3 dCi 130: fiabilité, pannes et coûtsCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  8. Différents rappels effectués par Renault en 2024Planète Renault · Motoring press · published 23 October 2024 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  9. Nissan Navara wymaga zmian systemu oczyszczania spalinAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 23 August 2023 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in another language