Verdict
A turbo four-cylinder with direct injection, co-developed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler, launched on the Scénic in early 2018. It is judged clearly more reliable than the 1.2 TCe it replaced. Its early-life faults (injector leaks, unstable idling, stalling) were corrected in production in April 2019 or by reprogramming: prefer a car built after that date and check that the updates have been carried out.
Years to favour or avoid
- To favour
- 2020, 2021, 2022
- To avoid
- 2018
Known faults
Injection: injector nose leak, unstable idling and stalling
Severity 2/3 · CostlyOn the early 1.3 TCe, a forgotten injector nose seal or an incorrectly sized injector well causes unstable idling, stalling, loss of power or an injection malfunction; one or more injectors may need replacing, or even the cylinder head. The fault was corrected in production on 9 April 2019, and reprogramming the engine computer resolves most calibration-related cases. Owners of a 1.3 TCe 150 Captur report replacing the fuel rail and injectors, as a simple reprogramming was not enough.
- Versions
- tce-1-3-h5ht
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Clutch and manual gearbox: premature wear, noises, receiver leak
Severity 2/3 · CostlyOwners of Renault and Dacia 1.3 TCe with a manual gearbox describe a clutch that drags or hardens when hot, knocking when changing gear, a hydraulic receiver that leaks, or even a clutch worn out before 30,000 km on a Duster TCe 130. These are owner accounts, with no official recognition from the manufacturer.
- Versions
- tce-1-3-h5ht
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Camshaft phaser: warning light and loss of power
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingThe injection warning light can come on, sometimes with loss of power, due to the camshaft phasing mechanism: check the wiring and operation of the solenoid valves, then fit new oil flow control valves if necessary. On the 1.3 TCe 140 Kadjar, loss of power linked to camshaft lubrication is the point to have documented before buying.
- Versions
- tce-1-3-h5ht
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Models fitted
- Buy with care
Photo: Corvettec6r, CC0
Buy with carePhoto: (G)jabz, CC BY 4.0
Good choice, check firstPhoto: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Buy with carePhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Nissan Qashqai
2014–2021 · Petrol, Diesel
- Estimated monthly cost
- €407/month
Buy with carePhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Captur
2013–2019 · Petrol, Diesel
- Estimated monthly cost
- €298/month
Excellent choicePhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Captur
since 2019 · Petrol, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €408/month
Buy with carePhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Kadjar
2015–2022 · Petrol, Diesel
- Estimated monthly cost
- €406/month
Good choice, check firstPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Koleos
2017–2023 · Petrol, Diesel
- Estimated monthly cost
- €394/month
Buy with carePhoto: Herranderssvensson, CC BY-SA 3.0
Renault Mégane
2016–2023 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
- Estimated monthly cost
- €460/month
Buy with carePhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Scénic
2016–2022 · Petrol, Diesel
- Estimated monthly cost
- €422/month
Maintain and diagnose this engine
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of car parts (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.