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Renault · Known Issues

2003-2024 Renault Scenic Problems: 5 Known Issues

2003-2024 model years · 175+ owner reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's analysis of 175+ owner reports, the 2003-2024 Renault Scenic has 5 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are Electric Parking Brake Failure ($300-$800 repair), Fuel Line Can Chafe and Leak Onto the Road — Fire Risk Recall 0D73 ($0-$0 repair), 1.9 dCi Turbocharger Oil Starvation Destroys the Engine — Low Oil Pressure Warning Then Fire ($900-$3,000 repair) and 1.5 dCi Piston Rings Gum Up From EGR Soot — Oil Consumption, Smoke and Power Loss ($1,200-$3,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $100 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • Scenic Engine3
  • Scenic Brakes1
  • Scenic Fuel System1
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Engine3
  • Brakes1
  • Fuel System1
  • FAQ

All 5 Known Issues

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Scenic II models with the 1.9 dCi (F9Q) are prone to turbocharger failure from oil starvation. Restricted oil supply to the turbo bearing lets the unit overheat; the turbo then disintegrates and feeds its own debris and oil into the engine, which can end in complete engine destruction. A documented UK case on a 2003 Scenic II 1.9 dCi Dynamique ran exactly that sequence — a low oil pressure warning on the dashboard, then loud engine noise, then catastrophic failure that set the car on fire, filling the cabin with smoke before the fire brigade extinguished it and the car was written off. Forum contributors on the same thread noted the 1.9 dCi's documented history of turbo failures at mileages as low as 30,000 miles. The 1.5 dCi and petrol Scenics do not share this specific turbo oil-feed weakness.

Common Symptoms

  • Low oil pressure warning on the dashboard
  • Whining or whistling from the turbocharger
  • Blue smoke from the exhaust
  • Sudden loud knocking from the engine
  • Loss of power and boost

How to Fix

Never drive on after a low oil pressure warning on this engine — that warning is the last cheap moment in the failure chain. Service the oil at short intervals with the correct specification and, at every service, verify the turbo oil feed and return pipes are clear rather than assuming they are; the restriction that starves the turbo builds up gradually. When replacing a failed turbo, always renew the oil feed pipe, flush or replace the sump and oil pick-up strainer and change the oil twice in quick succession — fitting a new turbo to a system still full of debris is the classic repeat failure. Investigate any whine, whistle or smoke from the exhaust immediately.

Typical repair cost:$900 - $3,000

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Community Reported
Low ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

The K9K 1.5 dCi fitted across Scenic II and III generations suffers progressive carbon fouling driven by the EGR system. Soot recirculated into the intake coats the inlet tract and combustion chambers and works down into the piston ring grooves, where it hardens. The compression rings gum up and stick, and the oil scraper rings clog with a gummy oil/carbon mixture, so the engine loses compression, starts burning oil and pulls badly despite otherwise healthy injectors. A documented UK strip-down of a high-mileage Scenic 1.5 dCi found hard carbon packed into the ring grooves and scraper rings coated in gummy residue, alongside big-end shells worn through the white metal to the copper. The classic misdiagnosis is chasing injectors first: a leak-off test can legitimately condemn one or two injectors, but replacing them and servicing the engine still leaves the car down on power because the rings, not the fuelling, are the limit.

Common Symptoms

  • Rising engine oil consumption
  • Blue or grey smoke under load
  • Persistent lack of power after injector replacement
  • Oil found in the inlet tract
  • Dashboard fault messages during acceleration
  • Low compression on one or more cylinders

How to Fix

Attack the cause before the symptom: keep EGR deposits down with regular short-interval oil changes on the correct low-SAPS oil, periodic intake and EGR valve cleaning, and enough sustained higher-load running to keep temperatures up on short-trip cars. Where oil consumption and low compression have already set in, confirm with a compression and leak-down test — if compression is low and does not improve with a wet test, the rings are stuck and a top-end decoke will not restore it. At that point the honest options are a piston and ring overhaul (checking the big-end shells at the same time, as they wear alongside) or an engine change; a further set of injectors will not fix it.

Typical repair cost:$1,200 - $3,500

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Community Reported
Low ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026
Community reported
75 owners

Renault's K9K and M9R dCi diesel engines used in Scenic II/III/IV develop weeping injector seals as the copper crush washers fatigue with heat cycling. Diesel sweats around the injector body, often coating the head with soot/oil mix and seeping toward the head gasket fire ring. Replacement washers are cheap (€2-5 each) but require careful torquing per Renault procedure; ignored leaks eventually cause cylinder head damage requiring decoke or head rebuild.

Common Symptoms

  • Diesel smell in cabin
  • Black tar around injectors
  • Rough idle
  • Difficult starting when hot

How to Fix

Replace the copper injector sealing washers and clean the injector seats. If the injector body is leaking, replace the injector. Use a torque wrench to tighten to the correct specification.

Typical repair cost:$100 - $500

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Based on 75 owner reports

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Community Reported
High Confidence75 owner reports
Community reported
100 owners

The Scenic electric parking brake system is a well-known failure point, with the motor-on-caliper units seizing or the control module losing communication. The brake may apply unexpectedly or fail to release.

Common Symptoms

  • Parking brake warning light
  • Brake applies unexpectedly
  • Brake fails to release
  • Grinding from rear

How to Fix

Replace the parking brake motor on the affected caliper. Update the parking brake ECU software. If both sides are affected, replace both caliper motors simultaneously.

Typical repair cost:$300 - $800

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Based on 100 owner reports

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Community Reported
High Confidence100 owner reports

Fourth-generation Scenic and Grand Scenic models built between 20 September 2018 and 20 June 2019 can suffer damage to a fuel line, allowing fuel to leak onto the road and, if it reaches hot exhaust components, to ignite. The EU classified the alert as serious (RAPEX A12/01170/20, published 28 August 2020); Renault's campaign code is 0D73 and the affected type-approvals are e2*2007/46*0574*, e2*2007/46*0546* and e2*2007/46*0653* covering model types RFA, RFB and RFD. The same underlying fuel-hose defect drove the parallel UK action on the closely related Mégane IV built in the same window. A fuel smell around a car in this build range should never be dismissed as a filler-cap or breather issue.

Common Symptoms

  • Smell of fuel in or around the car
  • Fuel drips or wet patches under the vehicle after parking
  • Unexplained increase in fuel consumption
  • Fuel stains on the underbody or exhaust heat shield

How to Fix

Check the VIN with a Renault dealer against campaign 0D73 — inspection and replacement of the affected fuel line is free. Treat any fuel smell, visible drips under the car after parking, or unexplained drop in range on a Scenic IV from this build window as urgent: stop driving and have it recovered rather than driven to the workshop, because the ignition source is the car's own exhaust. Confirm the recall was actually completed on used purchases; outstanding safety recalls follow the car, not the previous owner.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

Research This Issue

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High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Renault Scenic problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 175+ owner reports, the 2003-2024 Renault Scenic has 5 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Electric Parking Brake Failure, Fuel Line Can Chafe and Leak Onto the Road — Fire Risk Recall 0D73, 1.9 dCi Turbocharger Oil Starvation Destroys the Engine — Low Oil Pressure Warning Then Fire. Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Renault Scenic reliable?

The 2003-2024 Renault Scenic has 5 known issues documented across 175+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: Electric Parking Brake Failure and Fuel Line Can Chafe and Leak Onto the Road — Fire Risk Recall 0D73 and 1.9 dCi Turbocharger Oil Starvation Destroys the Engine — Low Oil Pressure Warning Then Fire and 1.5 dCi Piston Rings Gum Up From EGR Soot — Oil Consumption, Smoke and Power Loss. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Renault Scenic problems?

Repair costs for known Renault Scenic issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Electric Parking Brake Failure, typically costs $300-$800 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Renault Scenic is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Renault Scenic. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2003-2024 Renault Scenic with 5 documented issues documented across 175+ owner reports.

What is the 2003-2024 Renault Scenic Electric Parking Brake Failure?

The Scenic electric parking brake system is a well-known failure point, with the motor-on-caliper units seizing or the control module losing communication. The brake may apply unexpectedly or fail to release. Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: high.

Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

Data sourced from 175+ owner reports, NHTSA recalls, TSBs, and automotive forums.

What is the 2018-2019 Renault Scenic Fuel Line Can Chafe and Leak Onto the Road — Fire Risk Recall 0D73?

Fourth-generation Scenic and Grand Scenic models built between 20 September 2018 and 20 June 2019 can suffer damage to a fuel line, allowing fuel to leak onto the road and, if it reaches hot exhaust components, to ignite. The EU classified the alert as serious (RAPEX A12/01170/20… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2003-2009 Renault Scenic 1.9 dCi Turbocharger Oil Starvation Destroys the Engine — Low Oil Pressure Warning Then Fire?

Scenic II models with the 1.9 dCi (F9Q) are prone to turbocharger failure from oil starvation. Restricted oil supply to the turbo bearing lets the unit overheat; the turbo then disintegrates and feeds its own debris and oil into the engine, which can end in complete engine destru… Repairs typically run $900-$3,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2003-2016 Renault Scenic 1.5 dCi Piston Rings Gum Up From EGR Soot — Oil Consumption, Smoke and Power Loss?

The K9K 1.5 dCi fitted across Scenic II and III generations suffers progressive carbon fouling driven by the EGR system. Soot recirculated into the intake coats the inlet tract and combustion chambers and works down into the piston ring grooves, where it hardens. The compression… Repairs typically run $1,200-$3,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2003-2022 Renault Scenic dCi Diesel Injector Copper Washer Leak?

Renault's K9K and M9R dCi diesel engines used in Scenic II/III/IV develop weeping injector seals as the copper crush washers fatigue with heat cycling. Diesel sweats around the injector body, often coating the head with soot/oil mix and seeping toward the head gasket fire ring. R… Repairs typically run $100-$500. Severity: medium.