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Renault2001–2015 Critical issues documented

Renault Laguna III: common faults & what to check

The III is the Renault Laguna built 2007–2015. It was sold here with the 1.5 dCi diesel, 1.6 16V petrol, 2.0 16V petrol, 2.0 Turbo petrol, 2.0 dCi diesel, and 3.0 V6 dCi diesel. Of the 8 faults documented for the Laguna, 3 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

Check this exact Renault Laguna

  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

Type the plate for the free basics. The full record is a paid check from $13.49, one car at a time, no subscription.

No NZ plate yet, or buying in Australia? Pick the generation and engine and start a free check below. New to KickTyres? How the check works →

8

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$450–$1,300

Typical repair

5

Systems covered

You're looking at the III

6 engine variants are documented for this generation. Pick yours to narrow further, or keep reading for the generation as a whole.

Choose a different generation

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.

A 2008 Renault Laguna is the III generation (2007 to 2015).

Start your free check on this Renault Laguna

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

Renault Laguna IIIEngine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the Laguna came with 6, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

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Can't confirm for this car

Renault Laguna · 2008

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

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Renault Laguna before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Costly issue

    Apply and release the electronic parking brake several times, confirming it holds firmly on an incline and releases cleanly without a warning.

    See why

    Electronic parking brake fault

    The Laguna III uses a fully electronic parking brake with motor-driven rear caliper actuators. Owners frequently report a parking brake fault warning with a flashing red brake switch and an orange spanner or check-parking-brake message, sometimes with the brake failing to engage or release. Causes traced by forum members include worn caliper actuator motors, a faulty dashboard switch, corroded earth straps and failed rectifier components on the control board. The brake may work intermittently then fault completely, which is both a safety and a compliance concern.

    What you would notice

    • Parking brake fault or check-parking-brake warning on the dash
    • Flashing red button and orange spanner light
    • Brake will not engage or will not release automatically
    • Intermittent fault that clears when moving off

    Typically $450–$1,300 to put right.

See all 3 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked, including 2 rated critical.
Body, brakes, suspension & interior1

01Electronic parking brake fault

Apply and release the electronic parking brake several times, confirming it holds firmly on an incline and releases cleanly without a warning.2007–2015BrakesRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
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

01F4R 2.0 16v Timing Belt Tensioner Spring Fatigue

Remove timing belt cover and assess belt tension and condition.petrol2001–2015EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

022.0 dCi (M9R) timing chain stretch

diesel2005–2015Engine
OccasionalEngine $1,200–$2,800 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The 2.0 dCi M9R diesel fitted to later Laguna II and Laguna III uses a timing chain rather than a belt, and the chain and tensioner are known to stretch and wear. Renault treats the chain as a lifetime item, but in practice stretch develops around 150,000 to 200,000 km, producing a rattle on start-up and, if ignored, jumped timing and catastrophic internal engine damage. Because failure destroys the engine, chain rattle on this engine should be treated as an urgent inspection item.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Rattle or chatter from the timing end on cold start-up
  • Diesel-like knocking that rises with revs
  • Rough running or timing fault codes
  • Chain noise that persists after warm-up

What to check

  1. Start the engine from stone cold and listen at the timing (front) end for a rattling or chattering noise in the first few seconds, which is the classic sign of a stretched chain and worn tensioner.
  2. Ask for evidence the chain has been inspected or replaced on higher-mileage cars, and check service history for any timing-related work.
  3. Treat any persistent chain rattle as a reason to walk away or renegotiate, since failure wrecks the engine.

Where to look: Timing chain, tensioner and guides at the front of the 2.0 dCi engine

Parts involved: Timing chain.

Ask the seller

  • “Is there any rattle from the front of the engine on cold start?”
  • “Has the timing chain, tensioner or guides ever been replaced?”
  • “What is the mileage and has the chain been checked recently?”
Other Renault Laguna engines and years5 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.
Engine, transmission & cooling2

01DP0/AL4 Auto Internal Belt and Hydraulic Pump Failure

Check transmission fluid condition on dipstick for dark brown colour or burnt smell indicating severely overdue service.2001–2007TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02DP0/AL4 4-Speed Auto Torque Converter Lock-Up Shudder

Road test at steady 80-100 km/h in lockup gear to reproduce the shudder and confirm it disappears under slight throttle change.2001–2007TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Electrical2

01Instrument cluster / dashboard display failure

2001–2007ElectricalRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02Keyless hands-free card and card reader failure

The Laguna II uses a credit-card-style keyless ignition card read by a slot-mounted card reader on the dashboard.2001–2007ElectricalRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Fluid leaks1

01K9K 1.5 dCi Injector Return Rail Banjo Bolt Washer Leak

diesel2001–2007Fluid LeaksRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

Renault Laguna faults in detail

Narrowed to the Renault Laguna · 2008. 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.

Electronic parking brake faultMajor · BrakesF4R 2.0 16v Timing Belt Tensioner Spring FatigueCritical · Engine

What these repairs cost on other cars

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

Other Renault models

Renault Megane27 documented faultsRenault Koleos17 documented faultsRenault Clio15 documented faultsRenault Captur6 documented faultsRenault Scenic6 documented faultsRenault Trafic15 documented faults

Renault Laguna buyer questions

Is the Renault Laguna reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 8 documented faults for the Renault Laguna, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, and brakes. A Renault Laguna 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 Laguna?

We've catalogued 8 known faults for the Renault Laguna, covering engine, transmission, and brakes. All 8 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 Laguna?

Most single repairs on the Renault Laguna fall between $450–$1,300 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 8 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 Laguna?

Yes. A Renault Laguna 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.