Citroën C4 Picasso 1
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
136–140 PS
2.0L HDi 136 Diesel
Punchy Picasso diesel
Decent109–116 PS
1.6L HDi 109 Diesel
6 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Citroën C4 Picasso 1 is available with 5 engine variants — from 75 to 140 hp.
The Citroën 1.6L HDi 109 (Diesel, 109–116 PS) has the DV6-109 (1.6L HDi 109) — rated: "Stay Away!", 6 known weaknesses.
The Citroën 1.6L HDi 92 (Diesel, 92 PS) has the DV6-92 (1.6L HDi 92) — rated: "Stay Away!", 6 known weaknesses.
The Citroën 2.0L HDi 136 (Diesel, 136 PS) has the DW10-136 (2.0L HDi 136) — rated: "Stay Away!", 6 known weaknesses.
The Citroën 1.6L VTi (Petrol, 120 PS) has the EP6-VTi (1.6L VTi) — rated: "Stay Away!", 6 known weaknesses.
The Citroën 1.8L 16V (Petrol, 125 PS) has the EW7 (1.8L 16V) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
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Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear air suspension leaks and is fault-prone The optional air suspension on the C4 Picasso I is considered the main weak point. Leaking air bags and failed compressors cause the vehicle to sink on one side. Many owners convert to conventional springs. Symptoms: Vehicle sinks on one side or completely, level control fault message, compressor runs continuously, unsettled ride from 100,000 km | Medium | |
| Steering joints and axle springs flagged at MOT From five years on, steering joints, axle springs and dampers show above-average defect rates at the MOT on the C4 Picasso I. Driveshafts are a documented weak point across almost all build years. Symptoms: Cracking when steering, cracking noise in corners, swaying at high speed, excessive tyre wear from 90,000 km | Low |
Alternatives
Known Problems and Issues
A total of 35 weaknesses have been documented for the Citroën C4 Picasso 1 (2006–2013) — 30 engine-related and 5 vehicle-related. 4 problem engines: EP6-VTi (1.6L VTi), DV6-92 (1.6L HDi 92), DV6-109 (1.6L HDi 109), DW10-136 (2.0L HDi 136). Typical issues affect Suspension, Gearbox, Rust, Electronics.
C4 Picasso (DV6-92, 2006–2013) — Stay Away!: VNT turbo: vanes seized by oil coke, Injectors leaking — oil and fuel contaminate turbo, EGR valve blocked: limp mode and starting difficulties. Power: 92 PS.
C4 Picasso (DV6-109, 2006–2013) — Stay Away!: VNT turbocharger: vanes seized — most common failure, Injectors seized — cylinder head damage possible, EGR cooler leaking — coolant ingress. Power: 109–116 PS.
C4 Picasso (DW10-136, 2006–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing belt — interference engine, high risk of engine damage, Common rail injectors — leakage and wear, Dual-mass flywheel — premature wear from 80,000 km. Power: 136 PS.
C4 Picasso (EW7, 2006–2013) — Be Careful: Timing belt damage from exceeded replacement interval, Head gasket leaking, Hydraulic tappets — rough cold start. Power: 125 PS.
C4 Picasso (EP6-VTi, 2010–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing chain rattle due to tensioner wear, Chain tensioner failure — timing chain rattles, Torn oil separator diaphragm in valve cover. Power: 120 PS.
What to watch out for with the Citroën C4 Picasso? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Citroën C4 Picasso 1 have? +
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee