Renault Scenic
Renault's most-produced diesel with over 20 years of production history — with exemplary maintenance (oil every 10,000 km, fuel filter every 8,000–10,000 km) over 300,000 km is achievable. Biggest weakness: connecting rod bearings spin from around 100,000–150,000 km, especially with extended oil change intervals. Common-rail injectors (Delphi) and EGR valve are further service items.
Weak Van Diesel
86 hp dCi in the Scenic — the weak base diesel. Gets by in town.
Engine Weaknesses 5
The K9K connecting rod bearings are design-sensitive. With overly long oil change intervals or incorrect oil the bearing shells spin from around 100,000–150,000 km, resulting in total engine failure.
Symptoms: Knocking engine noise, oil pressure warning light, sudden engine stop
The Delphi high-pressure pump shows weaknesses from around 80,000 km. Metal wear from the pump contaminates the fuel circuit and damages the injectors and common rail — with consequential damage included.
Symptoms: Starting difficulties, sudden engine stall, 'injection fault' message
K9K injectors are very sensitive to fuel quality. Poor-quality diesel or clogged fuel filters lead to rough running, increased consumption and expensive injector replacement.
Symptoms: Engine hesitation, power loss, increased fuel consumption, black smoke
With frequent short-trip operation the DPF cannot complete its regeneration cycle and becomes blocked. Forced regeneration or replacement required — particularly problematic in city vehicles with the 90 hp unit.
Symptoms: DPF warning light, power reduction (limp mode), increased consumption
The EGR valve on the K9K fouls with soot deposits, especially with frequent short-trip use. Annual cleaning is necessary to prevent power loss and increased fuel consumption.
Symptoms: Power loss, rough idle, increased fuel consumption
Vehicle Weaknesses 8
Blocked water drainage channels lead to water ingress under the driver's seat. This damages the wiring harness and control units. Extensive repairs are the result.
Recall due to failure of the electric parking brake and problems with rear axle weld seams. Electric parking brake can require expensive replacement.
Defective window regulators, boot lid openers, wiper motors and radio systems are classics on the Scenic II. Instrument cluster unit fails; inexpensive repair available. Control units damaged by moisture.
Tie rod ends and suspension components are frequently flagged at vehicle inspections. Wheel bearings are also prone to failure and springs occasionally break.
The instrument cluster and speedo can fail completely, frequently due to solder joint defects on the circuit board. Reconditioning by specialists is possible; new parts are expensive and increasingly hard to find.
Rear brakes on the Scenic II wear quickly and require regular maintenance. Rear disc brakes are sensitive, especially when the brake is rarely used.
Seats squeak and the synthetic leather upholstery wears above-average quickly. Interior quality defects are a known issue with this generation.
The blower motor resistor fails frequently; the blower then only works on the highest setting or not at all. Replacing the resistor is an inexpensive repair but is often diagnosed late.
