2.0 dCi engine (M9R): faults and reliability

• 2.0 dCi 130-150 (M9R, cars, 2005-2012)

  2005–2012 · 130–150 hp · M9R

  With caution

  It is the most widespread tune of the M9R, with accessible spares, but the reliability sheets consulted document quite a few turbo, EGR, DPF and injector cases: you should check the maintenance history before buying.^[1][2][4]

• 2.0 dCi 160-177 (M9R, higher-output cars, 2006-2016)

  2006–2016 · 160–177 hp · M9R

  With caution

  It shares the same weak points as the lower-output version (turbo, EGR, DPF, injectors) and, being fitted to heavier cars (SUVs, large MPVs), the turbo and injectors work harder.^[2][3][9]

• 2.0 dCi 90-115 (M9R, vans, 2006-2014)

  2006–2014 · 90–115 hp · M9R

  With caution

  As it shares the block and injection with the car versions, it is reasonable to expect the same weak points (turbo, EGR), although we have not found reliability sheets focused specifically on the van that would let us confirm this with the same confidence.^[10]

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

1. 1High severityCommonFrequency: CommonTurboPremature turbocharger failureThe 2.0 dCi turbo fails relatively often, sometimes at low mileage: the reliability sheets consulted document dozens of cases in the Espace IV, Koleos and Laguna III, with whistling, loss of power and, in several cases, bluish smoke before the final failure.
2. 2Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain wear or breakageThe 2.0 dCi timing chain can stretch or, in the worst cases, break earlier than expected: there are documented cases between around 60,000 and more than 200,000 km in several models that use it. As the engine is an interference design between piston and valves, a breakage usually brings serious internal damage.
3. 3Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged particulate filter (DPF)The 2.0 dCi particulate filter clogs up fairly easily in urban or short-trip use: it is the most cited fault in the reliability sheets of the Qashqai (26 cases) and the Koleos (23 cases), with the warning light on, frequent regenerations and, in some cases, a need to replace the filter.
4. 4Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve blockageThe 2.0 dCi EGR valve gets dirty with carbon from the recirculated gases and can stick or stop sealing: it is the fault with the most reports in the Espace IV sheet (88 cases), with additional documented cases in the Laguna III and Qashqai.
5. 5Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonInjectionInjector failureThe 2.0 dCi injectors can fail in isolated cases, with documented cases in the Espace IV (81 reports), Laguna III (13) and Koleos (5); the most cited symptom is loss of power and, in the Laguna III, a case of fuel leakage with the engine fault risk warning light on.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

Manufacturer

Renault-Nissan

Family

M9R

Fuel

Diesel

Displacement

1,995 cm³

Cylinders

4

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Common rail

Timing

Chain

Power

90–177 hp

Peak torque

378 Nm

Production

2005–2016

Makes

Renault, Nissan and Opel

Technical data^[5][6][7][8]

1. 2005–2012

   2.0 dCi 130-150 (M9R, cars, 2005-2012)

   The first tune of the M9R in cars: it replaced Renault's larger-capacity diesels (1.9 and 2.2 dCi) with similar or higher output and improvements in acceleration and consumption. It debuted in the Renault Laguna in October 2005 with 150 hp and from there spread to the rest of the range and, through the Renault-Nissan Alliance, to Nissan models.^[5][11]

2. 2006–2016

   2.0 dCi 160-177 (M9R, higher-output cars, 2006-2016)

   Output raised for heavier or more dynamically minded versions. The Renault Espace IV debuted in September 2006 a 175 hp variant with piezoelectric injectors and up to 1,600 bar of injection pressure, described at the time as the most powerful diesel in the large MPV segment in Spain; a similar output range (160-177 hp) later reached the Mégane II and III, the Koleos and the Nissan X-Trail.^{[6][7][8][12][13]}

3. 2006–2014

   2.0 dCi 90-115 (M9R, vans, 2006-2014)

   Low-output tune for the group's mid-size vans: the Renault Trafic II (and its mechanical sisters, the Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro A and the Nissan Primastar, built on the same platform) used this 2.0 dCi with a single turbo, in 90 and 115 hp versions, aimed at low-rev torque rather than maximum power.^[10][14]