Timing and crank/cam sensorsGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: As soon as possible

P0335 on Renault: causes and affected engines

P0335 means: crankshaft position sensor "A" circuit: malfunction.^[1][2][3] Renault has 9 documented faults that can trigger it, across 9 engines, including 0.9 TCe, 1.5 dCi, 2.0 dCi and 1.2 TCe. Only a diagnosis can confirm the cause on your car.

Documented faults

that can trigger it

Engines

used by Renault, with at least one of them

Renault models

with at least one of these faults

Urgency

As soon as possible

Reviewed on 5 October 20264 sources How we work

Documented faults in Renault engines that can trigger P0335

Grouped by engine or model, from most to least important. These are faults with the timing belt and with the timing chain: not all of them will necessarily set the code, and only a diagnosis confirms the cause on your car.

0.9 TCe

In Captur I, Clio IV and Twingo III

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain or tensioner failureThe 0.9 TCe's timing chain tensioner can lose effectiveness over time. It is a minority of cases, but when the chain jumps the damage is serious: there is a documented case with a complete engine replacement at 80,000 km.

1.5 dCi

In Clio II, Clio III, Fluence, Kangoo I, Kangoo II, Mégane II and 5 more models

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingPremature timing belt failureOn the 85, 105 and 110 hp 1.5 dCi engines built up to late 2010, especially in the Mégane III and Scénic III, the timing belt could break early, sometimes before 50,000 km, and damage the engine. Renault opened a workshop action in 2013.

2.0 dCi

In Espace IV, Koleos I, Laguna III, Mégane II and Mégane III

- 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.

1.2 TCe

In Captur I, Clio IV, Kadjar, Kangoo II, Mégane III, Mégane IV and Scénic III

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain stretch and breakageThe 1.2 TCe chain has no scheduled replacement, but in engines that burn oil the low level makes the camshaft phaser vibrate and the chain stretches until it becomes noisy or breaks. The dealer network replaces the tensioner if compression is good; if not, the short block or the engine.

1.4 and 1.6 16v

In Clio II, Clio III, Fluence, Kangoo I, Laguna II, Mégane I and 5 more models

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt breakage or premature failureThe K4J/K4M's timing belt is a dry type (not running in oil), but several sources document breakages before high mileage is reached, including one case in the Renault Laguna II with valve-to-piston contact. Sticking to the replacement interval is the best prevention.Appears at around 89,000 km

1.4 and 1.6 8v

In Clio II, Kangoo I and Mégane I

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt breakage or failureThe K7J/K7M timing belt is a dry type, but several sources document breakages or failures well before a very high mileage, including a case in the Renault Mégane I with contact between the broken belt and the valves. Sticking to the replacement interval is the best prevention.

1.6 dCi

In Espace V, Kadjar, Mégane III, Mégane IV, Scénic III, Scénic IV and Talisman

- 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.

2.0 16v F4R and F4RT

In Clio II, Clio III, Laguna II, Mégane II and Mégane III

- Critical severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming belt failure due to overdue maintenanceIf it is not changed on time, the timing belt on the F4R/F4RT can snap and wreck the engine. Evo and Octane recommend checking the documented belt change before buying a Mégane RS.

1.2 16v

In Clio II, Clio III, Clio IV, Kangoo I, Modus, Twingo I and Twingo II

- Medium severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming belt: preventive maintenance and the odd failureThe 1.2 16v has a timing belt (not a chain), a wear part that has to be changed as preventive maintenance. Documented failure cases are a minority: under 4% of the owner reports analysed on the Clio II and Clio III.

Common causes of P0335 on any make

From most to least likely, according to the sources.

1Faulty crankshaft position sensor.^[1][2][3]
2Damaged wiring or connector: broken or corroded connector, sensor output short-circuited to earth or to voltage, or a poor electrical connection.^[1][2][3]
3Crankshaft reluctor ring (tone wheel) that is damaged, broken or not turning properly.^[1][2][3]
4Metal debris stuck to the tip of the sensor, often clutch dust or gearbox residue.^[2]

What to check first

The first diagnostic steps, from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.

1Read all the codes with a diagnostic tool: MechanicBase cites P0336, P0337, P0338 and P0339 as related, all of which concern the same sensor.^[3]
2With the diagnostic tool, look in live data at the engine speed the ECU reads while the engine turns over, to check whether the sensor is sending a signal.^[2][3]
3Inspect the sensor connector and wiring: breaks, corrosion, loose connections or short circuits to earth.^[1][2][3][4]

Full guide to P0335: symptoms, diagnosis and whether you can drive

Frequently asked questions

Which Renault engines have faults that can trigger P0335?

0.9 TCe (1 fault), 1.5 dCi (1 fault), 2.0 dCi (1 fault), 1.2 TCe (1 fault), 1.4 and 1.6 16v (1 fault) and 1.4 and 1.6 8v (1 fault). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

What does code P0335 mean on a Renault?

Crankshaft position sensor "A" circuit: malfunction. The ECU is not receiving the expected signal from crankshaft position sensor "A": Autodoc Club describes it as the absence of electrical pulses from the crankshaft. With that signal the ECU knows the crankshaft's position and rotational speed, and uses them to calculate how much fuel to inject and when to fire the ignition. It is a generic OBD-II code: it means the same on a Renault as on any other make.^[1][2][3]

Can I keep driving with P0335?

As soon as possible. Autodoc Club and MechanicBase agree: this is not a fault to put off. It can prevent starting and stop the engine while it is running; Autodoc Club calls it a safety hazard and urges fixing it immediately, and MechanicBase rates it as serious and advises against driving with it. Carista gives it a high severity and cites intermittent stalling and sudden loss of power while driving. If the cause is a broken timing belt or chain, the engine can suffer serious damage, according to MechanicBase.^[1][2][3]

Sources

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

Código OBD2 P0335: causas, síntomas y cómo corregirloAutodoc Club · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish
P0335: Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit MalfunctionCarista · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
P0335 Code – Meaning, Causes & How to fix itMechanic Base · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
DTC P0335 Crankshaft position sensor "A" circuit, Saab 9-2X (9346) 2005, 2.5iSaab WIS Online (Saab Workshop Information System) · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026