Premature turbocharger wear on the 1.9 dCi
Why this rating?
High severity: Risk of a serious engine, turbo or gearbox failure.
Frequency common: gebrauchtwagenberater.de states that the Mégane II's turbo "may need replacing at relatively low mileages, around 150,000 km", and also flags it as an early failure on the Scénic II; planeterenault describes the problem as "recurring" on the 100 to 130 hp versions from 2000 to 2005.[1][2][3]
Symptoms
- A whistle or whine that changes with revs can indicate turbo wear.[1]Turbo whistle: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- The loss of boost pressure shows up as a gradual lack of power.[2]Less power: other faults that cause it · Monitor
- Oil passing through the worn turbo seals produces bluish smoke from the exhaust.[1]Blue smoke: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
Wear of the turbo's bearings and seals with use appears relatively early on this engine, according to gebrauchtwagenberater.de.[1]
planeterenault notes that the problem is recurring on the 100 to 130 hp versions built between 2000 and 2005.[2]
If it is not repaired: A worn turbo can end up carrying metal debris or oil into the intake, which means the intake ducts and the intercooler also have to be checked when it is replaced.[1]
Affected cars and years
planeterenault documents the problem on the 100 to 130 hp versions built between 2000 and 2005; gebrauchtwagenberater.de likewise describes it on the Mégane II and Scénic II, without limiting it to a single power output.[1][2][3]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.9 dCi 95-120 (F9Q, first generation, 1999-2005) | 1999–2005 | F9Q |
| 1.9 dCi 125-130 (F9Q, Energy dCi, 2005-2011) | 2005–2011 | F9Q |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Mitsubishi
- Mitsubishi Carisma2000–2004
Nissan
- Nissan Primera III2003–2007
Renault
- Renault Mégane I1999–2002
- Renault Mégane II2002–2009
- Renault Scénic I1999–2003
- Renault Scénic II2003–2009
- Renault Laguna I1999–2001
- Renault Laguna II2001–2007
- Renault Espace IV2002–2006
Volvo
- Volvo S40 I1996–2004
- Volvo V40 I1996–2004
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Replacement of the turbocharger; in wear-related failures the intercooler and intake ducts may also need checking.[2]
We have not found published prices in Spain for the turbo on this engine. planeterenault states that Renault went as far as covering up to 80% of the cost of out-of-warranty repairs, although there was no official campaign.
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
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
Turbocharger
Part to replace when the original turbo wears out or fails.
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
- Let the engine settle for a few seconds at idle before demanding anything from it and avoid switching it off hot right after hard use.
- Keep to the oil changes: the turbo's lubrication depends on the quality and condition of the engine oil.
Recalls, campaigns and claims
Extended warrantyRenault
Renault goodwill cover outside warranty
According to planeterenault, Renault went as far as covering up to 80% of the cost of an out-of-warranty turbo replacement in some cases, although there was no published official campaign.[2]
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
At what mileage does the 1.9 dCi's turbo usually fail?
gebrauchtwagenberater.de puts the risk at around 150,000 km on the Mégane II, although it can vary with maintenance and use.[1]
Does it affect all versions equally?
planeterenault documents the problem mainly on the 100 to 130 hp versions built between 2000 and 2005.[2]
Did Renault cover the cost?
According to planeterenault, in some cases it covered up to 80% outside warranty, with no official campaign.[2]
What noise does a worn turbo make?
A whistle or whine that changes pitch with revs is the symptom most cited by gebrauchtwagenberater.de.[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 1.9 dCi faults
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonLubricationSeizure and wear of the big-end bearingsOn the 95 to 120 hp versions built before 2005, the big-end bearings of the 1.9 dCi (F9Q) are fragile and can seize, which wrecks the bottom end of the engine. Renault did not acknowledge an official campaign, but it resolved some out-of-warranty cases.
- High severityFrequency: CommonInjectionFailures of the Delphi direct-injection injectorsThe Delphi injectors on the 1.9 dCi give trouble with some regularity, a weak point that gebrauchtwagenberater.de and planeterenault document as typical of direct-injection diesels of that era.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve blocked by soot build-upThe EGR valve on the older 1.9 dCi engines (105, 110 and 120 hp) clogs with soot fairly often, especially in urban use; fiches-auto.fr includes it among the diesels most affected by this problem before 2010.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonClutchDual-mass flywheel failure on the 120 hp versionsfiches-auto.fr documents numerous cases of dual-mass flywheel failure on the 1.9 dCi 120 in the Scénic II and Laguna II, among the diesels most affected by this problem.
More faults with the turbo on other engines and cars
- High severityFrequency: Very frequent1.6 HDiTurbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)On the 16-valve 1.6 HDi/TDCi engines (2004-2011) the turbo can seize because carbon deposits from the oil clog the mesh filter in the union that feeds it. It is a serious, repeat fault: if only the turbo is replaced without cleaning the circuit, it fails again.Repair (garage): €700–€1,050
- High severityFrequency: Very frequent2.0 Ingenium diéselTurbocharger failureYes: according to several sources, the turbo is the component that causes the most faults on the 2.0 Ingenium diesel. It fails across a very wide mileage range (from around 35,000 to over 140,000 km) and, if it breaks up inside, it can send oil or metal into the engine and destroy it.Repair (garage): €2,600–€3,000Appears at around 35,000 km
- High severityFrequency: CommonBMW N47Turbo and wastegate valve failureThe N47's turbo does not usually fail from general wear, but because of failure of the wastegate valve, which regulates boost and can seize or lose adjustment, sending fuel consumption soaring; oil leaks from the turbo itself are also common.Repair (garage): €900–€1,800
- High severityFrequency: CommonOM651Variable-geometry turbo failure and its pneumatic actuatorThe OM651's variable-geometry turbo tends to fail at the pneumatic actuator (cracks, loss of calibration) before the turbo itself. Symptoms range from a gradual loss of power to permanent limp mode, with whistling or smoke if the problem progresses.Repair (garage): €500–€3,000
- High severityFrequency: Common1.6 dCiPremature 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: Common2.0 HDiVariable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging)On the 107/110 hp and, above all, 136-140 hp 2.0 HDi, the variable-geometry turbo fails relatively often: sometimes it is the whole turbo, but often it is the actuator, sensors or hoses, with loss of power and limp mode.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Renault Mégane II (2002 – 2009): Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.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
- Renault Scénic II (2003 – 2009) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German