MajorCommonEngine

Renault Koleos: 2.0 dCi DPF blockage and EGR clogging

2.0 dCi DPF blockage and EGR clogging is a common engine fault on the Renault Koleos on the 2008–2016 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs ≈A$640 to ≈A$2,300 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 17 documented faults on the Renault Koleos.

Vehicle: Renault Koleos
Engine: 2.0L
Years: 2008–2016
Fuel: diesel
System: Engine

This page covers the Renault Koleos as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Renault Koleos faults17 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Diesel particulate filter or EGR valve yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The first-generation Koleos 2.0 dCi (M9R, shared with the Nissan X-Trail T31) is prone to diesel-particulate-filter blockage and EGR clogging, especially on cars used mainly for short suburban trips that never get the exhaust hot enough to burn off soot. Symptoms are reduced power, a DPF/engine warning light and limp mode. A long highway run can regenerate a partly blocked filter, but a fully blocked DPF or a stuck EGR is a bigger bill.

What you would notice

Reduced power / limp mode
DPF or engine warning light
Black smoke or heavy diesel smell
Poor economy on short trips

How to check it

Where to look. Exhaust line (DPF); intake/exhaust side (EGR valve)

Ask how the car has been used – a short-trip town car is higher risk.
On the drive make sure it pulls strongly without limp mode and check the dash for a DPF or glow-plug light.
Ask for any DPF/EGR service history.

Parts involved: Diesel particulate filter, EGR valve.

What it costs to put right

≈A$640 to ≈A$2,300 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, converted to Australian dollars, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has this car mostly done short town trips or longer highway runs?”
“Has the DPF or EGR valve ever been cleaned or replaced?”

Now check the Renault Koleos you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car still has money owing on it, has been written off or reported stolen, what kms it showed in past sale ads, whether it has had accident repair claims and what it is worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate and its state for the A$17.90 Vehicle Check, or the full history from A$24.99.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

AUTODOC – 'Renault Koleos: common problems and faults'
Renault Forums (renaultforums.co.uk) 'Koleos 2.0dci 175 problems' thread

Renault Koleos buyer questions

Is 2.0 dci dpf blockage and egr clogging serious on a Renault Koleos?

We rate it major and common on the Renault Koleos. The first-generation Koleos 2.0 dCi (M9R, shared with the Nissan X-Trail T31) is prone to diesel-particulate-filter blockage and EGR clogging, especially on cars used mainly for short suburban trips that never get the exhaust hot enough to burn off soot. Symptoms are reduced power, a DPF/engine warning light and limp mode. A long highway run can regenerate a partly blocked filter, but a fully blocked DPF or a stuck EGR is a bigger bill.

How much does it cost to fix on a Renault Koleos?

≈A$640 to ≈A$2,300 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Renault Koleos years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2008–2016 Renault Koleos. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Ask how the car has been used – a short-trip town car is higher risk. On the drive make sure it pulls strongly without limp mode and check the dash for a DPF or glow-plug light. Ask for any DPF/EGR service history. Look here: Exhaust line (DPF); intake/exhaust side (EGR valve)