Renault/Nissan 2.0 dCi (M9R)Particulate filter (DPF/FAP)
Clogged particulate filter (DPF) on the 2.0 dCi
Why this rating?
Medium severity: It can leave you stranded or get worse if ignored, without destroying the engine.
Frequency common: It appears in all the reliability sheets consulted with high figures: 26 cases in the Qashqai, 23 in the Koleos, 17 in the Espace IV and 15 in the X-Trail. It is, however, a problem closely tied to use (short trips, town driving) and common to DPF technology of the period in general, not a defect exclusive to this engine, so we describe it as "frequent" and not "muy-frecuente".[1][2][3][4]
Symptoms
- Particulate filter warning light on, sometimes accompanied by a message on the dashboard asking you to drive at a constant speed.[1]DPF warning light: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- The engine goes into limp mode when the filter is badly clogged and the control unit limits power to protect it.[3]Less power: other faults that cause it · Monitor
- Higher consumption from frequent regenerations, which inject extra fuel to burn off the accumulated soot.[2]Uses more fuel: other faults that cause it · Monitor
Why it happens
Soot builds up faster than the filter can burn it off on short or town trips, where the engine does not reach the temperature or speed needed to complete a regeneration.[3]
A documented case on the X-Trail shows clogging at only 10,000 km and 4 months of use, which confirms that driving pattern matters more than total mileage.[4]
If it is not repaired: If ignored, the filter can become unrecoverable and force a complete replacement; in the worst case, the excess fuel injected in failed regenerations dilutes the engine oil.[2]
Affected cars and years
Documented in the Koleos, Espace IV, Qashqai and X-Trail. There is no equivalent data published for the van.[1][2][3][4]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 dCi 130-150 (M9R, cars, 2005-2012) | 2005–2012 | M9R |
| 2.0 dCi 160-177 (M9R, higher-output cars, 2006-2016) | 2006–2016 | M9R |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Nissan
- Nissan Qashqai I2007–2013
- Nissan X-Trail II2007–2013
- Nissan X-Trail III2016–2018
Renault
- Renault Laguna III2007–2015
- Renault Mégane II2006–2009
- Renault Mégane III2008–2016
- Renault Koleos I2008–2016
- Renault Espace IV2006–2015
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Forced regeneration at a workshop or, if the filter can no longer be cleaned, its complete replacement.[1]
French sheets cite around €400 for a regeneration at a workshop, but that is a French market figure; we have not found a price of our own with Spanish VAT for this repair on this 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
- Ask whether the DPF light has come on before and how it was resolved: several forced regenerations in a short time are a sign of heavily urban use.[1]
- If the car is used mainly in town, consider making long motorway journeys yourself from time to time to encourage natural regeneration.
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)
Particulate filter (DPF)
Replacement when the filter is saturated beyond what a regeneration or cleaning can handle.
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
- If the manual allows it, complete a journey of about 20 minutes on a motorway at a constant speed when the DPF light comes on.
- Avoid chaining together only very short cold trips if you can choose: it is the situation that speeds up clogging the most.
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 does the 2.0 dCi DPF clog so much in town?
Because the filter needs the engine to reach a certain temperature and sustained speed to burn off the accumulated soot (regeneration), which hardly ever happens on short trips with frequent stops.[3]
Does the DPF light mean the filter has to be replaced for certain?
Not necessarily: in several documented cases a forced regeneration at the workshop or a sustained road-speed journey is enough. The whole filter only needs replacing if it is badly saturated or already damaged.[1]
How many regenerations are too many?
There is no official number, but several owners describe the light coming on several times in a short period (up to 3 times in 2 years in one documented case) as a sign that the usage pattern does not favour natural cleaning of the filter.[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 2.0 dCi faults
- High severityFrequency: 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.
- Critical severityFrequency: 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.
- Medium severityFrequency: 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.
- Medium severityFrequency: 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.
More faults with the particulate filter on other engines and cars
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentOM651EGR and particulate filter clogging, and emissions software updatesThe particulate filter and EGR clog up with short journeys, as on any diesel with these systems. In addition, Germany's KBA required software updates on several models with this engine between 2018 and 2021 because of a function that reduced EGR outside a temperature range.Repair (garage): €800–€2,500
- High severityFrequency: Common1.3 MultijetIncomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilutionIn heavy urban use, with short journeys that do not let the particulate filter regeneration finish, unburnt diesel passes into the sump and dilutes the oil; the level can rise on the dipstick and the oil loses its ability to lubricate. Repeated many times, it speeds up engine wear.
- High severityFrequency: Common2.0 HDiDPF clogging on additive-type systems (Eolys/cerine)The additive-type diesel particulate filter (DPF) of the 2.0 HDi clogs relatively easily on short journeys, especially on the 107/110 and 136-140 hp versions. The anti-pollution warning light comes on and, if ignored, the car loses power and may end up needing a new DPF.
- High severityFrequency: Common1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet IISaturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerationsIn urban use with short journeys, the particulate filter does not manage to complete its regeneration and becomes saturated; garages recommend a weekly motorway run to avoid it. The filter itself is among the weak points flagged in the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II after a certain mileage.
- High severityFrequency: Common2.0 Ingenium diéselFuel dilution of the oil linked to particulate filter regenerationsYes: on short trips and in urban use, the Ingenium diesel's particulate filter does not always complete regeneration, and some of the diesel injected to burn off the soot ends up mixing with the engine oil, which reduces its ability to lubricate.
- 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.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiabilité Renault Koleos : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Renault Espace 4 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French