MajorCommonTransmission

Renault Laguna: DP0/AL4 Auto Internal Belt and Hydraulic Pump Failure

DP0/AL4 Auto Internal Belt and Hydraulic Pump Failure is a common transmission fault on the Renault Laguna on the 2001–2007 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $2,800 to $6,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. 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 8 documented faults on the Renault Laguna.

Vehicle: Renault Laguna
Years: 2001–2007
Gearbox: auto
System: Transmission

This page covers the Renault Laguna 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 Laguna faults8 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Clutch yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The DP0 (AL4) 4-speed automatic transmission fitted to Laguna II uses an internal steel drive belt to drive the hydraulic pump that generates line pressure for clutch pack engagement. The belt runs in an oil-bathed environment but is extremely sensitive to degraded transmission fluid, which loses viscosity and lubricity well before the manufacturer-stated service intervals suggest replacement. As fluid breaks down, the internal drive belt wears and the pump loses volumetric efficiency, causing hydraulic line pressure to drop and clutch packs to slip during engagement. Progressive pressure loss leads to delayed gear selection, harsh shifts, and ultimately complete transmission failure requiring full rebuild or unit replacement.

What you would notice

Delayed or hesitant engagement when selecting Drive or Reverse from Park
Harsh or jerky gear changes particularly at low speeds
Transmission slipping between gear ratios under acceleration
Transmission warning light or Check Engine light illumination
Whining noise from transmission under load
Transmission fluid burnt smell or overheating warning

How to check it

Where to look. DP0/AL4 transmission unit mounted behind the engine beneath the centre console tunnel area

Check transmission fluid condition on dipstick for dark brown colour or burnt smell indicating severely overdue service; inspect beneath vehicle around transmission sump pan and cooler lines for evidence of fluid leaks; connect OBD diagnostic tool and scan for transmission pressure and solenoid fault codes; road test for shift quality and engagement lag from standstill; request complete service history showing transmission fluid change intervals.

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$2,800 to $6,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, 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 the transmission fluid ever been changed and if so when?”
“Are there any gear change hesitations or delayed engagements?”
“Has the transmission or Check Engine warning light ever illuminated?”
“Has the car been serviced at a Renault dealer or transmission specialist?”

Now check the Renault Laguna 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 has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Renault Laguna buyer questions

Is dp0/al4 auto internal belt and hydraulic pump failure serious on a Renault Laguna?

We rate it major and common on the Renault Laguna. The DP0 (AL4) 4-speed automatic transmission fitted to Laguna II uses an internal steel drive belt to drive the hydraulic pump that generates line pressure for clutch pack engagement. The belt runs in an oil-bathed environment but is extremely sensitive to degraded transmission fluid, which loses viscosity and lubricity well before the manufacturer-stated service intervals suggest replacement. As fluid breaks down, the internal drive belt wears and the pump loses volumetric efficiency, causing hydraulic line pressure to drop and clutch packs to slip during engagement. Progressive pressure loss leads to delayed gear selection, harsh shifts, and ultimately complete transmission failure requiring full rebuild or unit replacement.

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

$2,800 to $6,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. 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 Laguna years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2001–2007 Renault Laguna. 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.