Renault2015–2020 Critical issues documented

Renault Captur J87: common faults & what to check

The J87 is the Renault Captur built 2015–2020. It was sold here with the 1.2 turbo petrol. Of the 6 faults documented for the Captur, 3 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

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Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$400–$2,500

Typical repair

Systems covered

You're looking at the J87 · 1.2 turbo petrol

Everything below is narrowed to this variant. Pick a different one to change it.

2015–2020J87 Selected2015–2020J871.2 turbo petrolPetrolDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: M 93 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de.

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Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Which engine is in it?

1.2 turbo petrol· 1.2 litre petrol, turbocharged

A 2015 Renault Captur is the J87 generation (2015 to 2020).

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Renault Captur J87

Can't confirm for this car

Renault Captur · 2015

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

See all 3 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked, including 2 rated critical.

Electrical1

01Electrical niggles - keyless card, Media Nav freezes and battery drain

2015–2019Electrical$150–$900

CommonElectrical $150–$900 to fix

First-generation Capturs accumulate electrical annoyances: the keyless entry card stops being recognised, the Media Nav infotainment unit freezes or reboots, stop-start refuses to work, parking sensors play up and weak batteries cause a spray of warning lights. Individually cheap, collectively irritating - and a flat battery on these cars can throw enough spurious warnings to look like a major failure. Worth a careful electrical shakedown before purchase.

Symptoms to notice

Key card intermittently not recognised
Media Nav screen freezing or rebooting
Stop-start never activating
Random warning lights that clear on restart
Parking sensor faults

What to check

Test the keyless entry and start several times, work the infotainment through radio/Bluetooth/reverse camera, and confirm stop-start operates once the engine is warm.
Check the battery's age.
Note any warning lights during the drive, then restart and see if they return.

Where to look: Key card reader, dash infotainment unit, battery in engine bay, bumper parking sensors

Parts involved: 12V battery.

Ask the seller

“Any issues with the key card or remote functions?”
“Does stop-start work?”
“When was the battery last replaced?”

Depends on the exact engine — 2 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.

Engine, transmission & cooling2

011.2 TCe excessive oil consumption and engine damage

Check the dipstick yourself - level and oil condition.petrol2015–2019EngineCan't confirm for this car$3,000–$8,000Read the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02EDC dry dual-clutch gearbox clutch and mechatronic failure

Test drive in stop-start traffic with repeated slow take-offs and a slow uphill start.petrol2015–2019TransmissionCan't confirm for this car$2,500–$5,500Read the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

Other Renault Captur engines and years3 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.

Engine, transmission & cooling2

011.3 TCe oil consumption and injection/ignition niggles

Check the dipstick and ask about top-ups between services.petrol2020 onwardEngineDoes not apply$500–$2,500

OccasionalEngine $500–$2,500 to fix

Does not apply

The 1.3 TCe (co-developed with Mercedes) is a clear improvement on the old 1.2, but it is not fault-free: some engines consume oil, the direct-injection system (injectors and coils) can cause misfires and rough running, and the petrol particulate filter management throws warnings on short-trip cars. Specialists advise oil changes every 15,000 km rather than the maximum 30,000 km interval - cars maintained that way are reaching 200,000 km without major issues, so service history is the deciding factor.

Symptoms to notice

Oil level dropping between services
Misfires or rough idle
Engine light with injector/coil codes
Particulate filter warnings on short-trip cars

What to check

Check the dipstick and ask about top-ups between services.
Confirm the oil-change interval actually used - annual/15,000 km is what you want to see, not the stretched factory maximum.
Listen for misfire stumble at idle when warm.

Where to look: 1.3 TCe engine - injectors and coils on top; petrol particulate filter in exhaust

Parts involved: Diesel particulate filter, Fuel injector.

Ask the seller

“What oil-change interval has been used?”
“Any oil top-ups needed between services?”
“Any misfire or engine-light history?”

02EDC automatic low-speed hesitation and jerky response

Do repeated slow take-offs, a car-park crawl and a hill start.petrol2020 onwardTransmissionDoes not apply$400–$2,500

OccasionalTransmission $400–$2,500 to fix

Does not apply

The second-generation Captur's EDC dual-clutch is wet-clutch and far more durable than the old dry-clutch unit, but owners and used-car reviews still report jerky, slow responses at parking speeds and hesitation pulling into traffic - enough of a complaint pattern that manual versions are noted as more dependable. Most cases are characteristic behaviour or software-level; genuine failures are much rarer than on the first generation. Judge each car on its test drive rather than assuming the worst.

Symptoms to notice

Hesitation pulling out from junctions
Jerky crawling in car parks
Slight shunt in low-gear changes

What to check

Do repeated slow take-offs, a car-park crawl and a hill start. Mild hesitation is characteristic; clunks, judder or warning messages are not. Ask whether any gearbox software updates have been performed.

Where to look: EDC dual-clutch transmission, transverse, left of engine

Parts involved: Clutch.

Ask the seller

“Any gearbox updates or repairs done?”
“Does it ever bang into gear or judder?”

Electrical1

01EasyLink infotainment freezes, bricked units and camera blackouts

Work the screen hard for five minutes: camera, navigation, Bluetooth pairing, audio sources.2020 onwardElectricalDoes not apply$200–$1,500

CommonElectrical $200–$1,500 to fix

Does not apply

The second-generation Captur's EasyLink system has widespread software trouble, worst on 2020-2021 cars: touchscreens freeze and need forced reboots, Bluetooth drops, the reversing camera intermittently shows black, and some units were bricked outright by failed over-the-air updates - taking navigation, parking sensors and driver-aid settings with them. A dealer software reload fixes most; a dead unit means replacement hardware. Check for the latest software before buying rather than after.

Symptoms to notice

Touchscreen frozen or rebooting mid-drive
Reversing camera showing a black screen intermittently
Bluetooth dropping out
Navigation failing to load
Parking sensors unavailable after an update

What to check

Work the screen hard for five minutes: camera, navigation, Bluetooth pairing, audio sources. Cycle the ignition twice and watch the boot sequence. Ask whether the head unit has had software updates or been replaced under warranty.

Where to look: EasyLink touchscreen head unit in the centre dash; reversing camera above rear plate

Ask the seller

“Has the infotainment ever frozen, failed an update or been replaced?”
“Is the software up to date per the dealer?”

Renault Captur faults in detail

Narrowed to the Renault Captur · 2015. Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

1.2 TCe excessive oil consumption and engine damageCritical · Engine EDC dry dual-clutch gearbox clutch and mechatronic failureCritical · Transmission

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Renault Captur’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

DSG and Dual-Clutch Gearbox Repair Cost

Other Renault models

Renault Megane27 documented faults Renault Koleos17 documented faults Renault Clio15 documented faults Renault Scenic6 documented faults Renault Trafic15 documented faults Renault Lutecia11 documented faults

Renault Captur buyer questions

Is the Renault Captur reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 6 documented faults for the Renault Captur, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, and electrical. A Renault Captur with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Renault Captur?

We've catalogued 6 known faults for the Renault Captur, covering engine, transmission, and electrical. All 6 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Renault Captur?

Most single repairs on the Renault Captur fall between $400–$2,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 6 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Renault Captur?

Yes. A Renault Captur inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.