2003 Renault Vel Satis problems
The 2003 Renault Vel Satis was sold with 1 engine and 1 gearbox that we have documented: the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 and the Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2003 cars, such as premature wear of the suspension ball joints, drop links and shock absorbers.
2003 Renault Vel Satis score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 9 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine5.43 faults
- Gearbox5.93 faults
- Suspension8.21 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes7.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering4.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 2.2 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system9.31 fault
- Headlights and lights8.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment8.61 fault
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2002 Renault Vel Satis
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2002.
2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 engine in the 2003 Renault Vel Satis
Names: 2.2 dCi · 3.0 dCi V6
- With caution
2.2 dCi 115-150 (G9T)
115–150 hp · G9T
There are reports of big-end bearing failures and clogged EGR valves; check the history and whether the bearings have already been replaced.[2][3]
- With caution
3.0 dCi V6 180 (P9X)
180 hp · P9X
L'argus lists cases of overheating leading to seizure; check the cooling circuit and the expansion tank.[4][5]
Faults that affect 2003 cars
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCooling3.0 dCi V6 overheating and expansion tank failuresThe 3.0 V6 dCi (P9X 701) in the Espace and Vel Satis has a reputation for overheating; L'argus lists cases of engine seizure. Renault issued a note on the expansion tanks in 2006, without acknowledging engine damage at the time.
- 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.
- 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.
Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox in the 2003 Renault Vel Satis
Names: BVA de 5 marchas
- With caution
Aisin AW55-50SN / AW55-51SN (5-speed automatic)
· AW55-50SN, AW55-51SN, AF33-5, SU1, FA57
Wikipedia notes that Volvo gearboxes failed in some cars before 80,000 km and that Volvo launched an improvement package, and a German guide lists it among the major weak points of the five-cylinder XC90. Check the oil history and test the gear changes.[6][7]
Faults that affect 2003 cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonTransmissionJerky gear changes and valve body failureIn Volvo versions this gearbox has produced sudden jerks on gear changes and valve body failure from around 100,000 km; Wikipedia even records failures before 80,000 km and an improvement package from Volvo. A German guide warns that the repair can be expensive.Appears at around 80,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTransmissionJudder and engine braking from degraded gearbox oilWith the oil left unchanged, the five-speed automatic judders and engine-brakes: Volvo did not include the ATF change in its plan, and a car leasing website recommends it every 60,000 km. Wikipedia asks for a change every 80,000 km under demanding use.Repair (garage): €120–€350
- Medium severityFrequency: RareTransmissionHarsh 2nd to 3rd shift from the B4 servo coverA jolt when going from 2nd to 3rd can come from the B4 servo: a German guide reports that, on the XC90, replacing the B4 servo cover and flushing the gearbox largely eliminated the harsh shifts, and Sonnax explains how excessive B4 pressure produces that jolt.
Faults outside the engine in the 2003 Renault Vel Satis
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionPremature wear of the suspension ball joints, drop links and shock absorbersAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the Vel Satis's suspension accounts for 29 cases: ball joints (8), shock absorbers (8), bearings (8), drop links and bushes (3). The fiche attributes part of the wear to the car's high weight; it is a sample of owners.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentHands-free card, GPS and control unit faultsElectronics is the most cited area on fiches-auto.fr for the Vel Satis (26 cases): faults with the hands-free card, readers, control units and the Cabasse GPS navigation system. We have found no official recall.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemBroken cables, guides and motors in the electric windowsIt is one of the most repeated faults in the fiches-auto.fr reports: 18 cases of windows with broken cables, guides and motors. Individual motor repairs run at around 200 to 500 euros according to the fiche. We have found no official recall.
Buying a 2003 Renault Vel Satis?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Renault Vel Satis reliable?
The 2003 Renault Vel Satis was sold with 1 engine and 1 gearbox that we have documented: the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 and the Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2003 cars, such as premature wear of the suspension ball joints, drop links and shock absorbers.
Is the 2003 Renault Vel Satis better than the 2002?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2002 and 2003 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What faults does the 2003 Renault Vel Satis have?
The most important ones documented for 2003 cars are: 3.0 dCi V6 overheating and expansion tank failures (2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6, critical severity), big-end bearing failure in the 2.2 dCi (G9T) (2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6, critical severity), jerky gear changes and valve body failure (Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox, high severity), blocked EGR valve and turbo and injector faults on the 2.2 dCi (G9T) (2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6, medium severity) and judder and engine braking from degraded gearbox oil (Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox, medium severity).
Own a 2003 Renault Vel Satis? 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 Vel SatisWikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
- Laguna II : remplacement préventif coussinet de bielle 2.2 dCiPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
- Avantime : casse moteur 2.2 dCiPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
- Renault Espace et Vel Satis : le 3.0 V6 dCi surchauffeL'argus · Motoring press · published 22 June 2010 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
- Vel Satis I : ma Vel Satis 3.0 dCi Initiale a des problèmesPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
- Aisin AF33 transmissionWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
- Volvo XC90 Typ C (2002-2014): ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German