Renault/Nissan 1.6 dCi (R9M)Particulate filter (DPF/FAP)
Blocked diesel particulate filter (DPF) on the 1.6 dCi
Why this rating?
Medium severity: It can leave you stranded or get worse if ignored, without destroying the engine.
Frequency occasional: It appears less often than the turbo or EGR in the reports consulted (3 of 132 in the Qashqai II, 3 of 87 in the X-Trail III), although it recurs in cars used around town. The Kadjar software adjustment affected a specific batch of early units, not the engine in general, so on its own it is not enough to speak of a systemic problem.[1][2][4]
Symptoms
- DPF warning light on in the instrument cluster.[3]DPF warning light: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- The engine loses power and goes into limp mode when the filter is badly blocked.[3]Less power: other faults that cause it · Monitor
- Fuel consumption rises because the engine forces more frequent regenerations to try to clean the filter.[3]Uses more fuel: other faults that cause it · Monitor
Why it happens
Short urban journeys do not let the exhaust gases reach the temperature needed to burn off the soot accumulated in the filter during automatic regeneration.[3]
In the Kadjar, fiches-auto attributes part of the emissions warnings to a calibration problem in the NOx emissions management software in units built up to July 2015, not to a mechanical failure of the filter itself.[2]
If it is not repaired: A badly blocked DPF forces the engine into limp mode and, if you keep driving like that, it can end up needing complete replacement instead of a clean or regeneration.[3]
Affected cars and years
Documented mainly in the Qashqai II and X-Trail III; the software adjustment mentioned by fiches-auto affected Kadjars built up to July 2015.[1][2][4]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Energy dCi Euro 6 with NOx trap (130 and 160/165 hp, 2015-2019) | 2015–2019 | R9M |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Nissan
- Nissan Qashqai II2013–2021
- Nissan X-Trail III2014–2022
Renault
- Renault Mégane III2012–2016
- Renault Mégane IV2016–2023
- Renault Scénic III2011–2016
- Renault Scénic IV2016–2022
- Renault Talisman2015–2022
- Renault Kadjar2015–2022
- Renault Espace V2015–2023
- Renault Koleos II2017–2019
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Complete replacement of the particulate filter (a forced regeneration or clean, when it is enough, costs considerably less: between €120 and €300 in Spain).[3]
General Motorpoint figures, not specific to the 1.6 dCi; we have not found a dealer price.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- If the car has mostly been used in town, ask whether the DPF has ever been cleaned or regenerated and whether the warning light has come on before.
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
This fault has a manufacturer recall: if your car is included, the repair is free at an official service centre. Check with the manufacturer before buying the part. View the recall
Particulate filter (DPF)[3]
Replacement when cleaning or forced regeneration is not enough.
Indicative price of the part: €600–€1,500
Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links
How to prevent it
Recalls, campaigns and claims
RecallAutoridades francesas / Renault · January 2016
Recall of NOx-trap emissions systems on Renault Espace and Captur
Recall of around 15,000 Renault Captur and Espace fitted with NOx-trap systems, to check that real-world NOx emissions did not notably exceed the approved level.[5]
Software updateRenault · July 2015
Emissions management software adjustment on early-build Kadjars
According to fiches-auto, a calibration problem in the NOx emissions management software affected Kadjar units built up to July 2015, with related emissions warnings.[2]
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
How long does a well-looked-after DPF last?
With use that includes the occasional open-road journey, it should not give problems before 150,000-200,000 km; with almost exclusively urban use it can block up much sooner.[3]
Can it be cleaned instead of replaced?
Yes: a forced regeneration or a clean costs considerably less (€120-300) than complete replacement (€600-1,500) in Spain, and in many cases is enough.[3]
Is the Kadjar emissions warning always a blocked DPF?
Not necessarily: fiches-auto links part of those warnings, in units built up to July 2015, to a software calibration problem and not to a physical failure of the filter.[2]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 1.6 dCi faults
- High severityFrequency: CommonTurboPremature 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: OccasionalTimingOil 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: CommonEmissions controlBlocked 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
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector failuresThe 1.6 dCi injectors can fail individually or, in more serious cases, several at once: fiches-auto documents 6 cases in the Espace V and one failed injector with loss of power on the motorway in a Kadjar.Repair (garage): €250–€1,700
More faults with the particulate filter on other engines and cars
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentOM651EGR and particulate filter clogging, and emissions software updatesThe particulate filter and EGR clog up with short journeys, as on any diesel with these systems. In addition, Germany's KBA required software updates on several models with this engine between 2018 and 2021 because of a function that reduced EGR outside a temperature range.Repair (garage): €800–€2,500
- High severityFrequency: Common1.3 MultijetIncomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilutionIn heavy urban use, with short journeys that do not let the particulate filter regeneration finish, unburnt diesel passes into the sump and dilutes the oil; the level can rise on the dipstick and the oil loses its ability to lubricate. Repeated many times, it speeds up engine wear.
- High severityFrequency: Common2.0 HDiDPF clogging on additive-type systems (Eolys/cerine)The additive-type diesel particulate filter (DPF) of the 2.0 HDi clogs relatively easily on short journeys, especially on the 107/110 and 136-140 hp versions. The anti-pollution warning light comes on and, if ignored, the car loses power and may end up needing a new DPF.
- High severityFrequency: Common1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet IISaturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerationsIn urban use with short journeys, the particulate filter does not manage to complete its regeneration and becomes saturated; garages recommend a weekly motorway run to avoid it. The filter itself is among the weak points flagged in the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II after a certain mileage.
- High severityFrequency: Common2.0 Ingenium diéselFuel dilution of the oil linked to particulate filter regenerationsYes: on short trips and in urban use, the Ingenium diesel's particulate filter does not always complete regeneration, and some of the diesel injected to burn off the soot ends up mixing with the engine oil, which reduces its ability to lubricate.
- High severityFrequency: CommonMZR-CDOil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerationsOn the 2.0 and 2.2 MZR-CD, injector seals that age badly and incomplete particulate filter regenerations on short journeys can let unburnt diesel into the sump, diluting the oil and leaving the engine with less lubrication.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : 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
- Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- 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