The 1.5 dCi (K9K) engine was fitted to the Renault Kadjar (2015–2022). In the EU that is 43.0 % of all new cars of this generation.
Versions: 1.5 110 hp, 1.5 116 hp, 1.5.
The most expensive known risk is DPF clogging, failed regenerations: it usually appears at 80,000–200,000 km and costs €150–1,500 to fix.
Engine faults ✓ Checked against sources (10/2026)
✓ The faults of this engine were checked against sources (10/2026). Each item has at least two independent sources or an official recall or parts-maker technical note.
Injector wear (high return flow, rough running)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Hard hot starting, rough idle, black smoke, power loss, return flow out of tolerance on the test
Fix: Return-flow (leak-off) test and live-data correction check; recondition or replace the faulty injectors with new copper seals
€400–1,400
EGR valve coking
usually 80,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Jerky idle, black smoke, power loss, EGR fault codes (e.g. P0401); worse with short town trips
Fix: Check EGR position in live data; clean the valve and intake, replace the valve if it sticks or its motor fails
€200–700
DPF clogging, failed regenerations
usually 80,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: DPF warning, frequent or interrupted regenerations, limp mode; mostly cars used for short trips
Fix: Check the differential pressure sensor and EGR first, then forced regeneration, cleaning or replacement; use low-ash RN0720 oil
€150–1,500
Turbocharger failure (oil supply, boost hose)
usually 120,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Whistling, blue smoke, oil use, loss of power or limp mode (P0299 underboost)
Fix: First check boost hoses and clamps and the intercooler pipes; if the turbo has play, replace it and clean or replace the oil feed line and check oil pressure
€100–1,400
High oil consumption (Blue dCi built 2018-2021, ECU update)
usually 0–100,000 km · Medium risk
model years 2018–2021 only
Signs: Oil level drops quickly between services, oil can reach the intake; risk of running low on oil
Fix: Check the oil level often; ask a Renault/Dacia dealer for the free ECU reprogramming campaign and an oil-consumption test
€0–200
Faults typical of this model
R-Link / touchscreen faults
usually 0–150,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Freezes, reboots
Fix: Software update
€0–200
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dual-mass flywheel
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
€700–1,400
EDC (6 / 7-speed, dry clutch)
Premature dry-clutch wear: judder and jerky pull-away
usually 30,000–150,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Judder in town traffic, jerks or delay when pulling away, clatter at low speed, overheating warning in slow traffic or on hills
Fix: First a software update and clutch adaptation reset; if wear values are at the limit, replace the double clutch and check the input-shaft seals for oil on the clutch
€900–1,800
Gearbox control unit / actuator faults: drops to neutral, no gear
usually 20,000–170,000 km · High risk
Signs: Gearbox warning, refuses to engage a gear or drops into neutral while driving, limp mode, faults on the gearbox control unit or a speed sensor
Fix: Read the gearbox control unit with Renault-level diagnostics, update the software and relearn; replace the faulty sensor, actuator or control unit if the fault stays
€100–1,500
X-Tronic / Xtronic CVT (Jatco)
Belt slip and pulley wear, debris in the valve body (limp mode)
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Judder pulling away, engine revs flare without the car speeding up, delay when selecting D or R, power cut / limp mode when hot
Fix: Read the CVT codes and check the fluid for metal; if caught early replace the valve body and fluid and flush the cooler, otherwise fit a reconditioned CVT
€800–4,500
Low-speed CVT judder code (P17F0 / P17F1) on JF016E / JF017E
usually 30,000–150,000 km · High risk
model years 2013–2018 only
Signs: Shaking, shudder or repeated bumps when pulling away or at low speed, judder fault stored in the gearbox control unit
Fix: Dealer-level diagnosis: P17F1 usually means a new valve body (if the belt is not slipping), P17F0 means a gearbox replacement; reprogram the control unit and flush the cooler
€800–4,500
CVT pulley bearing whine
usually 100,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Whine or howl under acceleration that rises with engine or road speed, fluid level and pressures otherwise normal
Fix: Have a CVT specialist confirm which bearing is noisy; replace the bearings during an overhaul or fit a reconditioned gearbox before debris damages the pulleys
€1,500–3,500
Service plan for this engine
Typical routine maintenance cost for 100,000 km: €3,100–7,250. Sum of the services and wear parts in the plan above (about 15,000 km a year, independent workshop), without faults.
Intervals and typical prices for the Renault Kadjar with the 1.5 dCi (K9K) engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.
Versions of this engine in the Renault Kadjar
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (6). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Doors / locks / lids Child lock disengages after being activated26/08/2020 · R/2020/235
- Other Incorrect NOX control21/07/2020 · R/2020/213
- Airbag Side air curtain may not deploy01/09/2017 · R/2017/172
- Seat belt Seat belt anchorage points may be insecure26/04/2016 · R/2016/096
- Airbag Side airbags may fail to deploy or they may deploy incorrectly19/04/2016 · R/2016/070
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Engine power and/or braking efficiency may be affected08/01/2016 · R/2016/001
Common questions
What are the biggest risks of the Renault Kadjar with the 1.5 dCi (K9K) engine?
The faults with the highest risk: DPF clogging, failed regenerations (80,000–200,000 km, €150–1,500); injector wear (high return flow, rough running) (150,000–250,000 km, €400–1,400); turbocharger failure (oil supply, boost hose) (120,000–250,000 km, €100–1,400); EGR valve coking (80,000–200,000 km, €200–700).
Does the Renault Kadjar 1.5 dCi (K9K) have a timing belt or a chain?
Belt · 120,000 km / every 72 mo.
Which oil does the Renault Kadjar 1.5 dCi (K9K) need?
5W-30 · Renault RN0720 (DPF) / RN0710 · ~4.5 L · every 10,000 km.
Sources and notes
Main sources for the faults of this engine:
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles. How we check the data →
Updated 29/10/2026