Engine knock on Renault: causes by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

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

- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.5 dCiWear and seizure of the big-end bearingsThe Euro 3 and Euro 4 1.5 dCi engines (approx. 2001-2010), especially the 100 and 105/106 hp, have fragile big-end bearings that can seize and wreck the engine. Renault went as far as paying up to 90% of the repair, with a limit of 7 years and 180,000 km.
In Clio II, Clio III, Kangoo I, Kangoo II, Mégane II and Mégane III and 4 more models
- 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
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.9 dCiSeizure and wear of the big-end bearingsOn the 95 to 120 hp versions built before 2005, the big-end bearings of the 1.9 dCi (F9Q) are fragile and can seize, which wrecks the bottom end of the engine. Renault did not acknowledge an official campaign, but it resolved some out-of-warranty cases.
In Espace IV, Laguna I, Laguna II, Mégane I, Mégane II and Scénic I and 1 more model
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6Big-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.
In Avantime, Espace IV, Laguna II, Master II and Vel Satis
- 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
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 16v F4R and F4RTFaulty camshaft variable valve timing pulleyOn the F4R 2.0 16v the variable valve timing pulley can degrade and cause a metallic, diesel-like rattle at idle or when warm. The sources put it at around 120,000 km on the Mégane II; replacement is expensive if done together with the timing belt kit.
In Clio II, Clio III, Laguna II, Mégane II and Mégane III

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 knock in a Renault: what could it be?

In 24 models from Renault there are 6 documented faults that cause this symptom (engine knock). The most important: wear and seizure of the big-end bearings, excessive oil consumption and engine failure and seizure and wear of the big-end bearings. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the cause and how to check for it.

Which Renault models have the most faults with this symptom?

Renault Mégane II (4 faults), Renault Mégane III (4 faults), Renault Laguna II (3 faults) and Renault Espace IV (3 faults).

Which Renault engines cause it?

1.2 TCe (1 fault), 1.5 dCi (1 fault), 1.9 dCi (1 fault), 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT (1 fault) and 2.0 dCi (1 fault).