Automatic gearbox Renault: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Renault models it appears in.

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAL4 / DP0Degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheatingYes: as with any automatic gearbox, if the AL4/DP0 oil degrades or drops in level, harsh shifts, slipping and overheating appear. We have not found a specific change interval from PSA or Renault, but several sources recommend checking it even if the manufacturer does not list it as necessary.
In Clio II, Clio III, Kangoo I, Laguna II, Mégane II and Scénic II
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault ArkanaErratic behaviour of the E-Tech hybrid automatic gearboxOn the Arkana's E-Tech hybrid version, a significant number of owners describe harsh or random gear changes, loss of traction when pulling away on a slope and even the vehicle being immobilised; there is no Renault campaign or press study confirming it as a pattern, so we document it as a fault reported by owners, not as a fault independently confirmed.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault AustralErratic behaviour of the E-Tech hybrid automatic gearboxOn the Austral's E-Tech hybrid version, several owners describe the automatic gearbox ceasing to work shortly after purchase or locking in the park position; there is no Renault campaign or press study confirming it as a pattern, so we document it as a fault reported by owners, not as one independently confirmed.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Laguna IIIAutomatic gearbox failures at low mileageFiches-auto.fr documents automatic gearbox failures on the Laguna III even at low mileages, from 27,000 km, and also describes the 6-speed manual gearbox as not very durable.Appears at around 27,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonCVT XtronicJerking, vibrations and a slipping sensation under accelerationYes: several owner fault roundups point to the Xtronic gearbox as a weak point of the Qashqai, X-Trail, Juke, Pulsar and Koleos II: jerking and vibrations under gentle acceleration, the engine revving without the car keeping pace, and sometimes grinding noises.
In Koleos II
- High severityFrequency: RareRenault Mégane IVAutomatic gearbox overheating on the Megane IV GTRenault recalled Megane IV GT models built up to 23 January 2017 with the DW5 automatic gearbox and software calibration earlier than version SW818, because the gearbox could overheat and increase the risk of an accident. The fix was a free software update.Repair: €0
- Medium severityFrequency: RareRenault AvantimeAutomatic gearbox jerks on pull-awayAuto Bild lists automatic gearbox jerking when starting among the Avantime's known faults, and notes that a software update would have helped on some cars. The source gives no mileages, costs or numbers of affected units.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalAL4 / DP0Jolt or sharp thud when engaging a gear from a standstillIt is a symptom described in general terms for automatic gearboxes with degraded oil: a jolt or a sharper thud than normal when moving from park or neutral into gear, especially when cold. We have not found sources confirming whether the AL4/DP0 suffers from it more than other gearboxes of its era.
In Clio II, Clio III, Kangoo I, Laguna II, Mégane II and Scénic II

By Renault model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the automatic gearbox do Renault cars have?

In 12 models from Renault there are 8 documented faults with the automatic gearbox. The most important: degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheating, erratic behaviour of the E-Tech hybrid automatic gearbox and erratic behaviour of the E-Tech hybrid automatic gearbox. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Renault models have the most problems with the automatic gearbox?

Renault Kangoo I (2 faults), Renault Clio II (2 faults), Renault Laguna II (2 faults) and Renault Mégane II (2 faults).

Which Renault engines have faults with the automatic gearbox?

AL4 / DP0 (2 faults) and CVT Xtronic (1 fault).