Renault Espace V vs Volkswagen ID. Buzz: which is more reliable?
According to the MotorFiable Score, the Renault Espace V (5.8/10) has fewer serious documented faults than the Volkswagen ID. Buzz (5.2/10), mainly because of the faults in the rest of the car (suspension, brakes, electronics…).
| Item | Renault Espace V | Volkswagen ID. Buzz |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | MPV | MPV |
| Years | 2015–2023 | 2022–today |
| MotorFiable Score | 5.8 out of 10 | 5.2 out of 10 |
| Engine score | 5.2/10 | 5.4/10 |
| Most recommended engine | 1.6 dCi · With caution | MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron) · With caution |
| Score for the rest of the car | 6.5/10 | 5.0/10 |
| Suspension | 5.7 out of 102 faultsMedium severity | No documented faults |
| Brakes | 7.9 out of 101 faultHigh severity | No documented faults |
| Tyres and wheels | No documented faults | 7.1 out of 101 faultCritical severity |
| Steering | 8.7 out of 101 faultMedium severity | 7.9 out of 101 faultHigh severity |
| Electrical system | 7.9 out of 101 faultHigh severity | No documented faults |
| Electronics and infotainment | 9.3 out of 101 faultLow severity | No documented faults |
| Bodywork and interior | 7.5 out of 101 faultHigh severity | No documented faults |
| Airbags and safety | 7.9 out of 101 faultHigh severity | 5.2 out of 103 faultsCritical severity |
Scores out of 10: the higher, the fewer serious documented faults. How we calculate them
Main faults of the Renault Espace V
Outside the engine
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakes2016 brake recalls: front brake hose and ABS/ESC hydraulic unitThe first Espace V cars had two brake recalls in 2016: a front brake hose fitted incorrectly that could rub against the wheel rim and lose fluid, and an ABS/ESC hydraulic unit with contaminating particles. Both are preventive recalls.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyPassive safety recalls: seatbelts, seat rails, curtain airbags and child lockThe Espace V had four preventive passive safety recalls in 2016: front seatbelt webbing cut, rear bolts on the front seat rails not tightened, curtain airbags with an incorrect chemical mix, and a child lock on the rear left door.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorBody recalls: bonnet, sunroof and rear spoilerThe Espace V had three recalls for body parts that could come loose while driving: the bonnet outer skin (2016), the sunroof (2016) and the top of the rear spoiler (2020). All are preventive recalls.
In their engines
- High severityFrequency: Common1.6 dCiPremature turbocharger failure or breakageThe 1.6 dCi turbo fails fairly often, sometimes at low mileage: fiches-auto documents failures between 23,000 and 113,000 km in the Kadjar, Qashqai II, X-Trail III and Espace V, with loss of power and, in several cases, the manufacturer refusing to cover the cost out of warranty.Repair (garage): €3,000
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 dCiOil leak from the timing chain coverThe 1.6 dCi uses a timing chain, not a belt, but several Kadjar and Espace V owners describe oil leaks around the chain cover or casing, in some cases serious enough to require removing part of the engine.
- 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
Main faults of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Outside the engine
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyPassenger airbag: the gas generator housing can break when deployingYes: in 2025 Volkswagen recalled ID. Buzz models built between 2022 and 2025, and other models in the group, because the gas generator housing of the passenger airbag can break when deploying in a crash and release fragments. The airbag is replaced or repaired, at no cost to the owner.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheels255/50 R19 summer tyres with a manufacturing defect and sudden air lossYes, but only in one batch: in January 2023 Volkswagen recalled 231 ID. Buzz models built in 2022 because some 255/50 R19 summer tyres had a manufacturing defect and could suddenly lose air, which Safety Gate rates as an accident risk.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyFaulty stops on the third-row seat railsYes, in one batch: in July 2025 Volkswagen recalled ID. Buzz models built between 13 August and 15 November 2024 because the stops on the third-row seat rails are faulty and can reduce how well those seats are held in a crash.
In their engines
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)Faulty modules in the high-voltage battery with fire riskYes: in March 2026 Volkswagen and Cupra recalled around 74,600 ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID. Buzz and around 19,500 Born built between 2022 and 2024, because some battery modules can overheat while charging and, in the worst case, catch fire. It is fixed with software and by replacing modules.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)Faulty supplier cells: charging limited to 80% until the battery is checkedIn October 2026 the KBA published new campaigns (93MV, 93MF and 93W4 on the Born) for high-voltage battery cells that do not meet the required quality. While the car is being checked, charging is limited to 80% and must be done outdoors.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)Charging that does not start or cuts out (AC and fast charging)In several MEB cars, owners and the press describe charging that does not start or is interrupted, both on AC and on fast charging. The sources point to the on-board charger, connector locking or software, with no single cause.