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1.6 dCi vs 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 carries less risk than the 1.6 dCi: 46/100 versus 48/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «3.0 dCi V6 overheating and expansion tank failures».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

48

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

46

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

16 sourcesHow 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 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 reliable?

Renault's big 2000s diesels, the 2.2 dCi (G9T) and the 3.0 V6 dCi (P9X), have a poor reputation among owners: big-end bearing failures are cited on the 2.2 and overheating on the V6. The sources are mainly forums and the press that reports them, with no official statistics.[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6
1.6 dCi2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,598 cm³2,188 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power95–165 hp115–180 hp
Production2011–2020[2][8][9][10][11]2001–2009[12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk46Moderate risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or breakage
  2. High severity: Oil leak from the timing chain cover
  3. Medium severity: Blocked or failed EGR valve
  1. Critical severity: 3.0 dCi V6 overheating and expansion tank failures
  2. Critical severity: Big-end bearing failure in the 2.2 dCi (G9T)
  3. Medium severity: Blocked EGR valve and turbo and injector faults on the 2.2 dCi (G9T)
Most expensive documented repairup to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure[14]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)[9]
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][15]
  • 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)[11]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

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

2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Renault Espace et Vel Satis : le 3.0 V6 dCi surchauffeL'argus · Motoring press · published 22 June 2010 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  6. Laguna II : remplacement préventif coussinet de bielle 2.2 dCiPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  7. Avantime : casse moteur 2.2 dCiPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  8. Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Renault G-Type engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  13. Renault Vel SatisWikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  14. Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. 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
  16. Vel Satis I : ma Vel Satis 3.0 dCi Initiale a des problèmesPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French