2.0 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 2.0 dCi: 46/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (high risk). The 2.0 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure»; 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

2.0 dCi

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202616 sources How we work

Is the 2.0 dCi reliable?

The 2.0 dCi (M9R) is a Renault-Nissan Alliance diesel with known, well-documented weak points: the turbo and the EGR valve fail relatively often, the particulate filter clogs up in urban use, and there are cases of injectors and even the timing chain failing earlier than expected in several of the models that use it.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 2.0 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 2.0 dCi and 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6
Item	2.0 dCi	2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	2,188 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	90–177 hp	115–180 hp
Production	2005–2016^{[8][9][10][11]}	2001–2009^[12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	52High risk	46Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	3
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Premature turbocharger failure Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF)	Critical severity: 3.0 dCi V6 overheating and expansion tank failures Critical severity: Big-end bearing failure in the 2.2 dCi (G9T) Medium severity: Blocked EGR valve and turbo and injector faults on the 2.2 dCi (G9T)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 dCi 130-150 (M9R, cars, 2005-2012)^[1][2][4] 2.0 dCi 160-177 (M9R, higher-output cars, 2006-2016)^[2][3][14] 2.0 dCi 90-115 (M9R, vans, 2006-2014)^[15]	2.2 dCi 115-150 (G9T)^[6][7] 3.0 dCi V6 180 (P9X)^[5][16]
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

2.0 dCi

See the 12 models with the 2.0 dCi

2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 dCi

With the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

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 Laguna 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Koleos : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Espace 4 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 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
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
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault KoleosWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault Mégane IIIWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Grand Espace 2.0 dCi PrivilegeAutopista · Motoring press · published 19 September 2006 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault G-Type engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Renault Vel SatisWikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Vel Satis I : ma Vel Satis 3.0 dCi Initiale a des problèmesPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French