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Before you buy a used Renault Kangoo (II).

2008–2021 · Petrol / Diesel / Electric · 4 engines

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

Renault Kangoo (II), real photo of this generation
Rudolf Stricker · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

All versions

Sheets the catalogue links to all 4 of its engines.

  • Turbo, injectors, 1.2 TCe and suspension on the Kangoo IIKnown weak points
    Period mentioned
    2008–2021
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

1.6 16V (K4M) · Kangoo Z.E.

1.6 16V (K4M) (Petrol) · Kangoo Z.E. (Electric)

We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.

1.2 TCe (H5Ft)

Petrol

1.5 dCi (K9K)

Diesel

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Renault Kangoo (II)
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
1.6 16V (K4M)PetrolFewest documented11 with conditions11
1.2 TCe (H5Ft)Petrol31 with conditions11
1.5 dCi (K9K)Diesel41 with conditions11
Kangoo Z.E.ElectricFewest documented11 with conditions11

According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.6 16V (K4M) (Petrol), Kangoo Z.E. (Electric).

By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Electric.

We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.

Official recalls: ask before you pay

A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Renault dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Renault seat-belt and anchorage recalls (2015–2020)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect buckles and anchorages and tighten or replace as the recall requires.

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Renault steering recalls (2016–2025)Steering

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect and replace or reprogram the part named. If the maker says so, do not drive until repaired.

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Renault recalls for wheel, axle and suspension fixings (2015–2026)Suspension and steering

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; check the tightening and replace the parts named. With noise from a wheel, do not drive.

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Renault recalls for fuel-leak risk (2015–2024)Fuel system

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; with a fuel smell, do not drive and have the circuit checked; protect or replace the part named.

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Renault engine, emissions and software recalls (2015–2025)Powertrain and engine management

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; carry out the reprogramming or replacement it requires.

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Renault electrical and lighting recalls (2018–2020)Electrical and electronic systems

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; correct the wiring, reprogram or replace the part named.

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Renault seat and child-lock recalls (2015–2024)Passive safety / seats

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect and reinforce or replace the part named; check the child lock stays on.

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Renault body recalls: parts that may come loose (2016–2025)Bodywork

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; reinforce, re-bond, tighten or replace the part named.

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Renault brake recalls (2000–2014)Brakes

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect and replace, reprogram or correct the part named in the recall.

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Renault airbag, seat-belt and pretensioner recalls (2000–2012)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; inspect and replace, reprogram or correct the part named in the recall.

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Renault fuel-leak recalls (2001–2013)Fuel system

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; with a fuel smell, do not drive; reposition, tighten or replace the pipes named.

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On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 6 checked

Engine

  • Look out for: Oil needs topping up often; the level can reach the minimum with no warning on the dashboard. In advanced cases, timing noise, loss of power or serious engine damage.

    Ask them to check: Measure oil consumption with the dipstick over several thousand km, ask the dealer for a diagnosis and the calibration update, and keep every maintenance invoice to request support.

Timing system

  • Look out for: Metallic chain rattle, especially when cold or at idle; engine light with a crankshaft–camshaft correlation code; in serious cases the chain jumps and damages the valves.

    Ask them to check: With any chain noise or a P0016 code, diagnose straight away: measure the stretch and check the tensioner and guides before the timing jumps. Shorten oil-change intervals.

  • Look out for: Noise or squeal around the belts; if the timing belt breaks, the engine stops suddenly and can be badly damaged.

    Ask them to check: Keep to the timing-belt interval and always replace the full kit (belt, rollers and pulleys); check the auxiliary belt and its pulley.

Injection / turbo

  • Look out for: Injection warning, jerking, rough idle, loss of power, smoke and sometimes a no-start.

    Ask them to check: Read the codes (e.g. P0087, low rail pressure) and look for filings in the diesel filter. If the circuit is contaminated, replace pump, rail and injectors and clean the tank and lines.

Exhaust and emissions

  • Look out for: Particulate-filter or emissions warning, limp mode with loss of power and frequent regenerations.

    Ask them to check: Read the soot load with a diagnostic tool, run a forced regeneration at the garage and check the differential-pressure sensors and EGR. Make long road trips now and then.

Known weak points

  • Look out for: Repeated turbo and injector problems on the 1.5 dCi; oil consumption and cold-start chain rattle on the 1.2 TCe; wear of shock absorbers, springs, track rods, drive shafts and sometimes the steering box; short-lived discs and pads; interior rattles.

    Ask them to check: Measure oil consumption and listen to the chain when cold (1.2 TCe); test turbo and injectors (1.5 dCi); check suspension and brakes.

OBD codes worth looking for

If they let you read the fault memory with an OBD reader, these are the codes mentioned in this model's sheets:

P0016P0087

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

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