RFNRFR

2.0 16v 136 hp (EW10J4, RFN/RFR, 1999-2005) engine: faults and reliability

PSA 2.0 16v EW10 and 2.2 16v EW12 (gasolina, 1999-2010) version

Buy

It is the simplest 2.0 (no variable valve timing or direct injection) and owner reviews of the 206, 406, Xsara Picasso and 307 point to wear parts - coils, lambda sensors, catalytic converter or manifold - rather than internal failures; gebrauchtwagenberater.de describes the 307's petrol engines as simple and easy to maintain.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Years

1999–2005

Power

135–136 hp

Faults that affect it

0 of high or critical severity

Cars that use it

in our database

Reviewed on 30 October 202619 sources How we work

What changes in this version

This is the basic 2.0: naturally aspirated, 16 valves, with 136 hp in the RFN and 135 hp in the RFR. Citroën introduced it in the Xsara with the September 2000 facelift, where it replaced the old XU10, and Peugeot offered it in the 406 from 1999.^[1][7][8]

Engine codes of this version: RFN, RFR.

Faults of the RFN engine

The documented engine faults that affect this version and its years, from most to least important.

1Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionFaulty ignition coilsIgnition coils are the fault reported by the press (gebrauchtwagenberater.de, CarsGuide) and by 16 of the 170 owner reviews of the 2.0 EW10; they also appear on the 2.2. A weak coil causes misfires, jerking and the engine warning light coming on.

Cars fitted with the RFN engine

Open each car to see all its faults with this engine and what to check before buying it.

Citroën

Citroën Xsara2.0 16v 1362000–2006^[8]
Citroën Xsara Picasso2.0 16v 1351999–2009^[1][5]
Citroën C4 I2.0 16v 136 · 2.0 16v 140 · 2.0 16v VTS 1772004–2008^[15][16]
Citroën C5 I2.0 16v 136 · 2.0 HPi 140 · 2.0 16v VVT 1432001–2007^[17][18]
Citroën C82.0 16v 136/140 · 2.2 16v 1582002–2010^[13][19]

Peugeot

Peugeot 2062.0 16v 135 (S16) · 2.0 16v 177 (GTi 180, RC)1999–2009^[2][9]
Peugeot 3072.0 16v 136 · 2.0 16v 140 · 2.0 16v 177 (Féline, CC)2001–2008^[1][3][10]
Peugeot 4062.0 16v 136 · 2.0 HPi 140 · 2.2 16v 1581999–2004^[4][7]
Peugeot 4072.0 16v 136 · 2.0 16v 140 · 2.2 16v 158/1632004–2011^[11][12]
Peugeot 8072.0 16v 136/140 · 2.2 16v 1582002–2010^[13][14]

Frequently asked questions

Is the RFN engine reliable?

Our verdict is “Buy”. It is the simplest 2.0 (no variable valve timing or direct injection) and owner reviews of the 206, 406, Xsara Picasso and 307 point to wear parts - coils, lambda sensors, catalytic converter or manifold - rather than internal failures; gebrauchtwagenberater.de describes the 307's petrol engines as simple and easy to maintain.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

What faults does the RFN engine have?

The documented ones that affect this version, by importance: faulty ignition coils (medium severity).

Which cars use the RFN engine?

Peugeot 206 (1999–2009), Peugeot 307 (2001–2008), Peugeot 406 (1999–2004), Peugeot 407 (2004–2011), Peugeot 807 (2002–2010), Citroën Xsara (2000–2006), Citroën Xsara Picasso (1999–2009), Citroën C4 I (2004–2008), Citroën C5 I (2001–2007) and Citroën C8 (2002–2010).^{[1][2][3][4][5][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]}

Are you buying a car with the RFN engine?

Check the history before buyingMileage, inspection record (ITV in Spain), outstanding finance and accidents for the car you are interested in, from the registration number or the VIN.Request a report

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.

Sources

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

PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 1998-2006 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 406 1995-2004 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara Picasso 1999-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Peugeot 307 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 November 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Peugeot 406Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Citroën XsaraWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Peugeot 206Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Peugeot 307Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Peugeot 407Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 407 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Peugeot 807 (Citroën C8, Fiat Ulysse, Lancia Phedra)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 807 2002-2014 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Citroën C4Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C4 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Citroën C5Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C8 2002-2015 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French