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EDC vs AL4 / DP0: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the AL4 / DP0 gearbox carries less risk than the EDC gearbox: 25/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). The EDC gearbox has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EDC gearbox overheating and safety neutral»; the AL4 / DP0 gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheating».

Risk index

EDC

38

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

AL4 / DP0

25

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

9 sourcesHow we work

Is the EDC gearbox reliable?

The EDC covers several Renault dual-clutch gearboxes: the EDC6 (Getrag DC4 dry clutch on most entry-level engines, or DW6 wet clutch on higher-torque ones) and the wet-clutch EDC7, introduced in 2016 to fix the low-speed judder of the earlier unit. Many owners document early clutch wear, overheating that forces a safety neutral, and control electronics faults, especially on the EDC6.[1][2]

See the 4 of the EDC gearbox faults

Is the AL4 / DP0 gearbox reliable?

The AL4 (Peugeot and Citroën) and the DP0 (Renault) are the same 4-speed automatic gearbox, developed jointly by both groups and presented in 1998 to replace the old ZF 4HP20. It was fitted for more than a decade across much of both manufacturers' compact and mid-size ranges. As with any automatic gearbox, degraded oil or a low oil level causes harsh shifts and slipping.[3][4][5][6]

See the 2 of the AL4 / DP0 gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of EDC and AL4 / DP0
EDCAL4 / DP0
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox typeDual-clutch: EDC6 (6-speed; DC4 dry clutch on engines under 250 Nm, or DW6 wet clutch on higher-torque engines) and EDC7 (7-speed, wet clutch, internal code DW5)4-speed hydraulic automatic with electronic control
Productionsince 2010[1][7][8]since 1998[3][4]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk25Moderate risk
Documented faults42
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: EDC gearbox overheating and safety neutral
  2. High severity: Control electronics fault: "check gearbox" warning and loss of gears
  3. Medium severity: Premature dry clutch wear and low-speed judder (EDC6/DC4)
  1. High severity: Degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheating
  2. Low severity: Jolt or sharp thud when engaging a gear from a standstill
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,100EDC gearbox overheating and safety neutralPublished figure[1][9]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • EDC6 (6-speed: DC4 dry or DW6 wet)[1][2]
  • EDC7 (7-speed, wet clutch, DW5)[2][9]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

EDC

See the 11 models with the EDC gearbox

AL4 / DP0

See the 11 models with the AL4 / DP0 gearbox

Other comparisons

With the EDC gearbox

With the AL4 / DP0 gearbox

Compare other engines

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Sources

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

  1. Fiabilité de la boîte EDC : problèmes en série ?fiches-auto.fr · Technical documentation · published February 2020 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Essai Renault Scénic 4 dCi 110 EDC7 : le test du Scénic automatiqueL'Argus · Motoring press · published September 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Peugeot 206Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. El aceite de la caja de cambios automática que el fabricante no cambia: evita una avería de 3.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Síntomas de falta de aceite en una caja de cambios automáticaAutopista.es · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Renault Scénic IIIWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Renault Clio IVWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. FACUA alerta de la llamada a revisión de los Renault Megane IV GT por un problema en la caja de cambiosFACUA · Consumer association · published 26 April 2017 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish