Renault/Nissan 1.6 dCi (R9M)Injectors
Injector failures on the 1.6 dCi
Why this rating?
Medium severity: It can leave you stranded or get worse if ignored, without destroying the engine.
Frequency occasional: It appears recurrently but in a minority of cases in the reliability reports consulted (6 of 191 in the Espace V, 1 of 143 in the Kadjar), well below the turbo or EGR in number of cases.[1][2]
Symptoms
- Jerking or abrupt loss of power, especially at high speed or under load, if an injector fails.[2]Jerking: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- Engine fault warning light on.[3]Engine warning light: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- Black smoke from incorrect combustion when an injector does not meter fuel properly.[3]Black smoke: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
Autopista points to a characteristic noise or rattle as a symptom of injector wear, linked to the normal wear of these precision components over the miles.[3]
A dirty fuel filter, or one not changed on time, speeds up injector wear, according to the same article.[3]
If it is not repaired: An injector that drips or sprays badly contaminates the oil with unburnt fuel and sends consumption soaring; if you keep driving like that, the damage can spread to other injectors, the catalytic converter or the DPF.[3]
Affected cars and years
Documented in the Espace V and Kadjar (Energy dCi); there is no technical reason to think pre-2015 versions are free of the problem, although we have found no specific owner reports for them.[1][2]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 dCi Euro 5 (110 and 130 hp, 2011-2015) | 2011–2015 | R9M |
| 1.6 Energy dCi Euro 6 with NOx trap (130 and 160/165 hp, 2015-2019) | 2015–2019 | R9M |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Nissan
- Nissan Qashqai I2011–2013
- Nissan Qashqai II2013–2021
- Nissan X-Trail III2014–2022
Renault
- Renault Mégane III2012–2016
- Renault Mégane IV2016–2023
- Renault Scénic III2011–2016
- Renault Scénic IV2016–2022
- Renault Talisman2015–2022
- Renault Kadjar2015–2022
- Renault Espace V2015–2023
- Renault Koleos II2017–2019
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Replacement of one or more injectors. A single injector costs around €250 in Spain; a serious fault involving several injectors can exceed €1,000, and Toyota (quoted by Motorpoint) mentions up to €1,700 in certain cases.[3][4]
General figures from Autopista and Motorpoint, not specific to the 1.6 dCi.
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.
- Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Common-rail diesel injector
Replacement of a single injector or the full set if wear affects several.
- Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Fuel filter[3]
Changing it regularly protects the injectors from dirt in the diesel.
Affiliate links to Autodoc: if you buy, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility using the registration number or the VIN before ordering. More information
How to prevent it
- Change the fuel filter within the intervals set by the manufacturer.[3]
- Filling up at trusted petrol stations reduces the risk of particles or water in the diesel damaging the injectors.
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
How can you tell an injector is going bad?
Autopista describes a characteristic noise or rattle, together with jerking, higher consumption and reduced performance.[3]
Do all the injectors have to be changed at once?
Not necessarily: many garages replace only the faulty injector, although if several are equally worn it is worth considering changing them together.[3]
Does the fuel filter affect injector life?
Yes: a dirty or overdue filter lets more impurities reach the injectors and speeds up their wear, according to Autopista.[3]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 1.6 dCi faults
- High severityFrequency: CommonTurboPremature 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: OccasionalTimingOil leak from the timing chain coverThe 1.6 dCi uses a timing chain, not a belt, but several Kadjar and Espace V owners describe oil leaks around the chain cover or casing, in some cases serious enough to require removing part of the engine.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlBlocked or failed EGR valveThe 1.6 dCi EGR valve gets dirty and can stick or stop sealing, especially in cars used around town. Fiches-auto flags it as one of the most repeated defects in the Renault Espace V and documents a case of double replacement in a Kadjar (at 85,000 km and again at 95,000 km).Repair (garage): €250–€1,000
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlBlocked diesel particulate filter (DPF)In urban and short-journey use the 1.6 dCi DPF can block up early: fiches-auto records a case in an X-Trail III at only 10,000 km and 4 months. A software adjustment on the first Kadjar units (up to July 2015) also affected NOx emissions management.Repair (garage): €600–€1,500
More faults with the injectors on other engines and cars
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentOM651Delphi piezo injector failure (220/250 CDI)Yes: 220 and 250 CDI models built between 2008 and 2011 had Delphi piezo injectors that were prone to failing and seizing in the cylinder head. Mercedes-Benz replaced them under warranty in 2009 and switched the 220 CDI to solenoid injectors from 2010-2011, but the 250 CDI kept them.Repair (garage): €3,600–€5,900
- High severityFrequency: CommonBMW N52 / N53N53 piezoelectric injector failureThe N53's piezoelectric direct injectors fail frequently and cause misfires, rough idle and limp mode; replacing them is expensive and they must be coded.
- High severityFrequency: CommonMZR-CDOil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerationsOn the 2.0 and 2.2 MZR-CD, injector seals that age badly and incomplete particulate filter regenerations on short journeys can let unburnt diesel into the sump, diluting the oil and leaving the engine with less lubrication.
- High severityFrequency: CommonOM642Wear and failure of the Bosch piezo injectorsThe OM642's Bosch piezo injectors can fail from around 150,000-200,000 km, especially with poor-quality diesel; they cannot be repaired, only replaced. Because it is a V engine, those on the rear bank are harder to reach, which pushes up labour costs.Repair: €4,500–€6,500
- High severityFrequency: Common2.2 CDI (OM646)Injector seal leak with carbonisation around the seatYes: the copper washer that seals each injector can harden and let combustion gases through, forming a black crust of carbon around it. It is a known fault on Mercedes CDI diesels of this era, with injectors described as fragile on both the OM611 and the OM646.
- High severityFrequency: Common2.2/2.5 dCiInjection pump or injector failureThe 2.2 dCi's common rail injectors fail fairly often on the X-Trail and Almera, with cases of seizing and leaks; on the Almera with the older YD22DDT, the documented fault is in the injection pump electronics, not the injectors.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Detecta así la avería en los inyectores y ahorra 1.000 €Autopista · Motoring press · published 21 March 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish