1.6 dCi vs 1.9 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 dCi carries less risk than the 1.9 dCi: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 67/100 (high risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; the 1.9 dCi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.9 dCi

High risk · 3 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 27 September 202618 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 dCi reliable?

The 1.6 dCi (R9M) is a diesel with a generally reasonable track record, but with well-documented known faults: the turbo fails relatively often, even at low mileage, the EGR valve clogs, the particulate filter can block up on short journeys, and there are cases of oil leaks from the timing chain cover that go as far as requiring the engine to be removed.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 dCi faults

Is the 1.9 dCi reliable?

The 1.9 dCi (F9Q) was Renault's first common-rail diesel (1999) and powered a large part of its range, and those of Nissan and Volvo, for more than a decade. It has well-documented weak points: on versions of up to 120 hp built before 2005, the big-end bearings can seize and the turbo tends to degrade around 150,000 km; the injectors, the EGR valve and, on the 120 hp versions, the dual-mass flywheel also fail fairly often.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

See the 5 of the 1.9 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and 1.9 dCi
Item	1.6 dCi	1.9 dCi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,870 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	95–165 hp	80–130 hp
Production	2011–2020^{[2][10][11][12][13]}	1999–2011^[14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	48Moderate risk	67High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or breakage High severity: Oil leak from the timing chain cover Medium severity: Blocked or failed EGR valve	Critical severity: Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings High severity: Premature turbocharger wear High severity: Failures of the Delphi direct-injection injectors
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure^[17]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 dCi in Mercedes-Benz (OM 622/OM 626, 115 and 136 hp, 2014-2018)^[11]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 dCi Euro 5 (110 and 130 hp, 2011-2015)^[1][2] 1.6 Energy dCi Euro 6 with NOx trap (130 and 160/165 hp, 2015-2019)^{[1][2][3][4][18]} 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)^[13]	1.9 dCi 95-120 (F9Q, first generation, 1999-2005)^[7] 1.9 dCi 125-130 (F9Q, Energy dCi, 2005-2011)^[7] 1.9 dCi 80-101 (F9Q, vans and commercial vehicles, 1999-2007)^[5][6]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.6 dCi

See the 15 models with the 1.6 dCi

1.9 dCi

See the 13 models with the 1.9 dCi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the 1.9 dCi

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Mégane II (2002 – 2009): Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Scénic II (2003 – 2009) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Achat d'occasion : faut-il éviter le moteur 1.9 dCi F9Q chez Renault ?Planète Renault · Motoring press · published 24 January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Diesels : volant moteur défectueuxFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Vanne EGR : problèmes et pannesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault F-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Moteur F RenaultWikipédia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Espace IVWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Si no hubo fraude, ¿por qué 15.000 Renault Captur y Espace serán revisados por un nivel de emisiones excesivo?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 19 January 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish