Engine fault warning light (check engine) on Renault: causes by model

In 40 models from Renault there are 24 documented faults that cause this symptom (engine warning light). The most important: excessive oil consumption and engine failure, failures of the Delphi direct-injection injectors and timing chain wear or breakage.

Reviewed on 30 October 2026How we work

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Renault models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.2 TCeExcessive 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
In Captur I, Clio IV, Kadjar, Kangoo II, Mégane III and Mégane IV and 1 more model
- High severityFrequency: Common1.9 dCiFailures of the Delphi direct-injection injectorsThe Delphi injectors on the 1.9 dCi give trouble with some regularity, a weak point that gebrauchtwagenberater.de and planeterenault document as typical of direct-injection diesels of that era.
In Espace IV, Kangoo I, Laguna I, Laguna II, Mégane I and Mégane II and 3 more models
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 dCiTiming chain wear or breakageThe 2.0 dCi timing chain can stretch or, in the worst cases, break earlier than expected: there are documented cases between around 60,000 and more than 200,000 km in several models that use it. As the engine is an interference design between piston and valves, a breakage usually brings serious internal damage.
In Espace IV, Koleos I, Laguna III, Mégane II and Mégane III
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional0.9 TCeTiming chain or tensioner failureThe 0.9 TCe's timing chain tensioner can lose effectiveness over time. It is a minority of cases, but when the chain jumps the damage is serious: there is a documented case with a complete engine replacement at 80,000 km.
In Captur I, Clio IV and Twingo III
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.0 TCe / SCeLPG (ECO-G) system faults and tank recallThe ECO-G (LPG) version of the 1.0 TCe can show erratic switching between petrol and gas, gas injection faults or an inaccurate level gauge. In addition, Renault and Dacia recalled part of the 2023 production over a risk of leaks and fire from the tank.
In Captur II
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent1.4 and 1.6 16vIgnition coil failureThe individual ignition coils are the most-cited fault of the K4J/K4M in the European Renault versions: they fail frequently and cause jerking, loss of power and the engine warning light coming on. It is a cheap electrical part to replace, not internal engine damage.Appears at around 30,000 km
In Clio II, Clio III, Fluence, Kangoo I, Laguna II and Mégane I and 5 more models
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeTurbo actuator (wastegate) faultOn 1.3 TCe/DIG-T engines built up to 19 June 2020, the clip that holds the turbo wastegate valve rod may be missing or come loose, causing a loss of power with the injection warning light on. If the rod is left with too much play, the whole turbo has to be replaced.Repair (garage): €400–€700
In Arkana, Captur II, Clio V, Kadjar, Mégane IV and Scénic IV
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalE-Tech HíbridoStalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12)On the Austral and Espace VI with the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12) engine, several reports describe "injection to be checked" warnings, turbo faults and one case of the engine stalling completely at motorway speed. We have not found the same pattern on cars with the 1.6 H4M.
In Austral, Espace VI and Rafale
- High severityFrequency: Occasional2.3 dCi (M9T)Clogged 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
In Master III
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 16vCrankshaft position sensor failureThe crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for almost every generation with this engine, with hard cold starting, stalling or the car cutting out unexpectedly. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
In Clio II, Clio III, Fluence, Kangoo I, Laguna II and Mégane I and 5 more models
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.6 dCiBlocked 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
In Espace V, Kadjar, Koleos II, Mégane III, Mégane IV and Scénic III and 2 more models
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.2 16vIgnition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light)The ignition coil is the engine fault that recurs most on the 1.2 16v: it appears independently on the Renault Clio II and Clio III, with misfires, jerking or the engine warning light coming on.
In Clio II, Clio III, Clio IV, Kangoo I, Modus and Twingo I and 1 more model
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.9 dCiEGR valve blocked by soot build-upThe EGR valve on the older 1.9 dCi engines (105, 110 and 120 hp) clogs with soot fairly often, especially in urban use; fiches-auto.fr includes it among the diesels most affected by this problem before 2010.
In Espace IV, Laguna I, Laguna II, Mégane I, Mégane II and Scénic I and 1 more model
- Medium severityFrequency: Common2.0 dCiEGR valve blockageThe 2.0 dCi EGR valve gets dirty with carbon from the recirculated gases and can stick or stop sealing: it is the fault with the most reports in the Espace IV sheet (88 cases), with additional documented cases in the Laguna III and Qashqai.
In Espace IV, Koleos I, Laguna III, Mégane II and Mégane III
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 dCiInjector 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
In Espace V, Kadjar, Koleos II, Mégane III, Mégane IV and Scénic III and 2 more models
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeTiming phaser faultA fault in the camshaft phaser can turn on the injection warning light and sometimes cause a loss of power in the 1.3 TCe/DIG-T. Renault-Nissan corrected it at the factory in February 2021; the repair involves checking the solenoid valves and, if necessary, replacing oil control valves.
In Arkana, Captur II, Clio V, Kadjar, Kangoo III and Mégane IV and 1 more model
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 16vProbe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)The 1.2 16V can fail because of specific probes or sensors, above all the crankshaft position sensor (TDC sensor) and the throttle body, with the engine warning light on or difficulty starting. Documented on the Clio II, Clio III and Kangoo I.
In Clio II, Clio III, Clio IV, Kangoo I, Modus and Twingo I and 1 more model
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeEmissions warning light on because of a calibration faultA fault in the injection calibration can turn on the emissions warning light or the engine fault light on 1.3 TCe/DIG-T engines from 2018-2020. Renault-Nissan fixes it by reprogramming the control unit; production after 2019-2020 already includes the corrected calibration.Repair: €100
In Arkana, Captur II, Clio V, Kadjar, Mégane IV and Scénic IV
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6Blocked 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.
In Avantime, Espace IV, Laguna II, Master II and Vel Satis
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.4 and 1.6 8vIgnition coil failureThe ignition coils fail in a minority of reports for the Clio II and the Dacia Sandero I with this engine, in a considerably smaller proportion than on the 16-valve evolution of the same block. They cause jerking and the engine warning light, but do not damage the engine.
In Clio II, Kangoo I and Mégane I
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 16v F4R and F4RTF4RT ignition coil failureIgnition coils are a recurring weak point of the Mégane RS 2.0 turbo F4RT: when they fail there is hesitation, rough running and misfires. It is an electrical part fault, not internal engine damage.
In Laguna II, Mégane II and Mégane III
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional2.3 dCi (M9T)Faulty 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
In Master III
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.0 SCe (B4D)Jerking, rough idle or warning light from sensors and ignition coilsThe 1.0 SCe can jerk, run unevenly or light up the engine fault warning light because of sensor faults (lambda sensor), ignition coils or injection management. It is a recurring but minority issue in the sources consulted, unrelated to a mechanical problem with the engine block.
In Twingo III
- Low severityFrequency: Occasional1.4 and 1.6 16vFaulty lambda sensors on the 1.6 16V (K4M)The 1.6 16V K4M (Mégane I, Scénic I, Dacia Duster I) has documented lambda sensors that occasionally fail and trigger the engine warning light. They are replaced without touching the engine and it is not a serious fault.
In Clio II, Clio III, Fluence, Kangoo I, Laguna II and Mégane I and 5 more models

By Renault model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

Engine warning light in a Renault: what could it be?

Which Renault models have the most faults with this symptom?

Renault Mégane III (9 faults), Renault Mégane II (8 faults), Renault Kangoo I (7 faults) and Renault Laguna II (7 faults).

Which Renault engines cause it?

1.3 TCe (3 faults), 1.4 and 1.6 16v (3 faults), 1.2 16v (2 faults), 1.6 dCi (2 faults) and 1.9 dCi (2 faults).