Renault K4J / K4M 1.4 and 1.6 16vIgnition coils and spark plugs
Ignition coil failure on the 1.4 and 1.6 16v
Why this rating?
Medium severity: It can leave you stranded or get worse if ignored, without destroying the engine.
Frequency very frequent: Fiches-auto.fr documents ignition coils in 52% of testimonies for the Renault Clio II with the 1.4 16V (33 of 64) and in 50% for the same car with the 1.6 16V (17 of 34); in the Clio III, in 30% of the 1.4 (9 of 30) and 24% of the 1.6 (12 of 49); in the Mégane II, in 20% of the 1.4 (5 of 25) and over 24% of the 1.6 (20 of 83); in the Scénic I, in 38% (29 of 77); and in the Scénic II, in 27% (15 of 55). The Mégane I also lists them as a notable fault of the 1.6 (16 cases). By contrast, in the Dacia calibration the pattern is much lower: only 5% in the Duster (3 of 58) and 3% in the Logan (1 of 30). Because of that sharp difference, we classify the fault as very frequent only in the "European" K4J and K4M versions, and exclude it from the Dacia version.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Symptoms
- Engine fault warning light on when the ECU detects a misfire in the corresponding cylinder.[1]Engine warning light: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- Jerking or running on "three cylinders" (a noticeable misfire) described in several testimonies collected by the sources.[3]Jerking: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- Loss of power or "trous à l'accélération" (flat spots on acceleration) linked by the sources to the failure of one or more coils.[8]Less power: other faults that cause it · Monitor
Why it happens
The sources consulted do not always detail the exact technical cause of the failure, but they describe the individual ignition coils as a part that degrades with time and mileage in practically every generation of Clio, Mégane and Scénic with this engine.[1][3]
If it is not repaired: The engine runs unevenly, with jerking and loss of power on the affected cylinder, and the fault warning light comes on; replacing the faulty coil usually solves the problem without leaving further damage to the engine, although a prolonged fault left undiagnosed can end up damaging other coils or the corresponding spark plug.[1]
Affected cars and years
Documented in the Clio II, Clio III, Mégane I, Mégane II and Scénic I and II, in both 1.4 16V and 1.6 16V. In the Dacia calibration (Logan, Duster) the same fault appears, but in a much smaller proportion of testimonies.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 16V 75-100 hp (K4J, 1999-2012) | since 1999 | K4J |
| 1.6 16V 110-135 hp with variable valve timing unit (K4M, 1998-2020) | since 1998 | K4M |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Renault
- Renault Clio II1998–2012
- Renault Clio III2005–2012
- Renault Mégane I1995–2002
- Renault Mégane II2002–2009
- Renault Mégane III2008–2016
- Renault Scénic I1996–2003
- Renault Scénic II2003–2009
- Renault Kangoo I1997–2007
- Renault Laguna II2001–2007
- Renault Fluence2010–2016
- Renault Scénic III2009–2015
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Diagnosis and replacement of the faulty ignition coil or coils.[1]
We have not found a published quote in Spain for coil replacement on this engine; as it is an inexpensive part that is simple to fit, the usual cost of this type of repair on other engines tends to fall at the lower end of the "low" range in this guide, but we prefer not to give a figure without a source of our own for this particular engine.
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
- Start from cold and leave the engine idling for a while, paying attention to jerking, vibration or the engine warning light: they are the first symptom of a coil on its last legs.
- Accelerate gently over a long stretch and check that there are no power "flat spots" or uneven running.
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
Individual ignition coil
Replaced, normally one at a time, when it causes misfires on the corresponding cylinder.
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How to prevent it
- There is no reliable way to predict the failure of a specific coil; watching the engine warning light and diagnosing as soon as possible stops the problem spreading to other coils or to the spark plugs.
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 27 September 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Why do the coils on Renault's 1.6 16v engine fail so often?
The sources consulted do not always detail the exact technical cause, but they document individual coil failure as the most repeated fault in the Clio, Mégane and Scénic with this engine, in a proportion that reaches 50% of testimonies in some models.[1][3]
Is it serious if an ignition coil fails?
It usually is not: it causes jerking, loss of power and the engine warning light coming on, but replacing the faulty coil normally solves the problem without additional damage to the engine.[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 1.4 and 1.6 16v faults
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt breakage or premature failureThe K4J/K4M's timing belt is a dry type (not running in oil), but several sources document breakages before high mileage is reached, including one case in the Renault Laguna II with valve-to-piston contact. Sticking to the replacement interval is the best prevention.Appears at around 89,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonElectronicsCrankshaft position sensor failureThe crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for almost every generation with this engine, with hard cold starting, stalling or the car cutting out unexpectedly. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingVariable valve timing unit failure (dephaser pulley)K4M versions with a variable valve timing unit can suffer a failure of the unit's pulley (déphaseur): unstable idle, hard cold starting and a metallic knock on start-up. It is a minority of the documented cases, but it recurs across several different generations.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlFaulty lambda sensors on the 1.6 16V (K4M)The 1.6 16V K4M (Mégane I, Scénic I, Dacia Duster I) has documented lambda sensors that occasionally fail and trigger the engine warning light. They are replaced without touching the engine and it is not a serious fault.
- Low severityFrequency: RareLubricationOil consumption (no documented pattern on this engine)Unlike many modern turbo engines, the sources consulted for the K4J/K4M do not describe a pattern of excessive oil consumption in any of the cars or versions covered by this page.
More faults with the ignition coils on other engines and cars
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 PureTechSpark plug breakage on the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech turboOn the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech/e-THP turbo the original spark plugs can break; if a fragment falls into the cylinder it can damage the engine. Autojournal cites a 2015 recall to replace them on the 308 II.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW N43/N46Injector, ignition coil and NOx sensor failures (N43)On the direct-injection BMW N43, failures of the injectors, ignition coils (mainly in 2007-2008 units, now rare after a BMW service action) and the NOx sensor of its lean-burn combustion have been documented. The indirect-injection N46 does not have that sensor and does not suffer these failures.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW N54/N55Oil in the spark plug wells from the rocker cover gasketOn the N54 and N55 the rocker cover gasket hardens with age and lets oil seep into the spark plug wells. Guides treat it as a known fault: it smells of burnt oil and can damage spark plugs and coils.
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.0/1.2/1.4 EcotecIgnition coil failureThe ignition coils on this engine fail fairly often in the Corsa, Astra, Meriva and Adam, causing jerking, the engine warning light and, in the clearest cases, the engine running on one cylinder fewer; the garage fixes it by replacing the affected coil.Repair (garage): €150–€480Appears at around 15,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 TurboIgnition coil failureThe ignition coils of the 1.4 Turbo fail fairly often on the Mokka and Meriva B, with jerking, occasional loss of power and the engine warning light on; the garage fixes it by replacing the affected coil or coils.Repair (garage): €400–€600Appears at around 47,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5Ignition coils that fail and cause jerkingThe ignition module -a rail with two twin coils, no distributor- is the electrical fault owners cite most across all models with this engine: it usually fails between 40,000 and 150,000 km and causes jerking, an unstable idle or the engine warning light coming on.Appears at around 40,000 km
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Duster 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French