Renault Modus vs Renault Scénic II: which is more reliable?
According to the MotorFiable Score, the Renault Modus (5.9/10) has fewer serious documented faults than the Renault Scénic II (4.8/10), mainly because of the faults in the rest of the car (suspension, brakes, electronics…).
| Item | Renault Modus | Renault Scénic II |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | MPV | MPV |
| Years | 2004–2012 | 2003–2009 |
| MotorFiable Score | 5.9 out of 10 | 4.8 out of 10 |
| Engine score | 5.0/10 | 4.2/10 |
| Most recommended engine | 1.2 16v · Buy | AL4 / DP0 gearbox · With caution |
| Score for the rest of the car | 6.9/10 | 5.5/10 |
| Suspension | 7.9 out of 101 faultMedium severity | No documented faults |
| Brakes | 8.0 out of 100 faults | 7.1 out of 101 faultCritical severity |
| Steering | 7.4 out of 101 faultHigh severity | No documented faults |
| Gearbox and clutch | 8.6 out of 101 faultMedium severity | 6.6 out of 103 faultsHigh severity |
| Electrical system | 8.9 out of 101 faultLow severity | 7.9 out of 101 faultMedium severity |
| Electronics and infotainment | No documented faults | 8.6 out of 101 faultMedium severity |
| Bodywork and interior | 7.1 out of 101 faultMedium severity | 9.3 out of 101 faultLow severity |
Scores out of 10: the higher, the fewer serious documented faults. How we calculate them
Main faults of the Renault Modus
Outside the engine
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalSteeringNoise, play or loss of assistance in the steeringThe rack and column of the Modus's electric power steering can produce noise or play, and in some cases lose assistance; Renault also recalled a batch of cars in 2005 over a problem in the steering column assembly.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchPremature clutch wear and noise in the manual gearboxOn the Modus, especially on diesel versions used in town, the clutch can slip, judder or wear out sooner than expected; the manual gearbox can also become noisier or find it hard to engage a gear as the mileage builds up.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionUneven tyre wear caused by the rear axle geometryOn the Modus, the tyres - especially the rear ones - can wear quickly or unevenly; fiches-auto.fr links this to the rear axle geometry and to wear of the bushes and shock absorbers.
In their engines
- 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.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.5 dCiPremature timing belt failureOn the 85, 105 and 110 hp 1.5 dCi engines built up to late 2010, especially in the Mégane III and Scénic III, the timing belt could break early, sometimes before 50,000 km, and damage the engine. Renault opened a workshop action in 2013.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.5 dCiDelphi high-pressure pump that sheds filings and damages the injectionOn the first 1.5 dCi engines (up to approx. 2010), especially the versions with Delphi injection of 65, 70 and 85 hp, the high-pressure pump can shed iron filings that contaminate the whole circuit and destroy the injectors. The pump, injectors and rail all have to be replaced.Appears at around 60,000 km
Main faults of the Renault Scénic II
Outside the engine
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakes2010 recall for risk of the electric parking brake lockingIn June 2010 Renault recalled around 695,000 Scénics built between June 2003 and June 2005 because of the risk that the electric parking brake could apply by itself while driving and lock the rear wheels.Repair: €0
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchPremature wear of the clutch and dual-mass flywheelOn the diesel Scénic II the clutch and dual-mass flywheel can wear out early, with rattling at idle or when starting and, in some cases, the clutch master/slave cylinder loses pressure and the pedal goes to the floor.Appears at around 100,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonElectrical systemWear of the electric window mechanismsOn the Scénic II the cables, guides and control modules of the electric windows can break with use, leaving the glass stuck, especially on the most-used doors and in damp conditions.Repair (garage): €250
In their engines
- 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.
- 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.
- High severityFrequency: Common1.9 dCiPremature turbocharger wearThe turbo on the 1.9 dCi can start to fail around 150,000 km, especially on the 100 to 130 hp versions built between 2000 and 2005. Renault went as far as covering up to 80% of the cost of out-of-warranty repairs, with no official campaign.