According to Au7o's analysis of 55+ owner reports, the 2016 Renault Kadjar has 3 documented known issues, with 3 rated critical. The most serious are DPF Regeneration Failure ($200-$2,000 repair), Rear Door Child Safety Lock Can Come Loose Unnoticed — Recall 0D26 ($0-$0 repair) and 1.2 TCe (H5Ft) Excessive Oil Consumption Leading to Valve Damage and Engine Failure ($3,000-$10,000 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $200 to $10,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 2015-2022 Renault Kadjar, the Kadjar diesel models experience frequent DPF regeneration failures, particularly in vehicles used primarily for short urban commutes. The regeneration process requires sustained load that urban driving cannot provide.
Perform a forced regeneration via diagnostic tool. Incorporate a weekly 20-minute motorway drive at 2500+ RPM. Clean the DPF pressure differential sensor pipes.
High Confidence55 owner reportsReviewed Invalid Date
On the 2015-2018 Renault Kadjar, on Kadjars built at Palencia, Spain between 29 June 2015 and 2 March 2018, the child safety lock mechanism in the rear doors can work loose without the owner noticing. A parent who has set the child lock — and reasonably believes the rear doors cannot be opened from inside — can be carrying children in doors that will in fact open from the interior handle while the car is moving. Renault issued recall code 0D26; the EU classified the risk as serious under RAPEX alert 48/2020 (27 November 2020). Because the failure is silent, there is no dashboard indication and no way to tell the mechanism has released other than physically testing the door.
Common Symptoms
Rear door opens from the inside despite the child lock being engaged
Child lock lever feels loose or does not stay set
How to Fix
Check the VIN with a Renault dealer against campaign 0D26 — the inspection and repair are free. In the meantime, physically test each rear door from the inside with the child lock engaged before carrying children, rather than trusting the lever position: engage the lock, close the door, and confirm the interior handle will not release it. Do not rely on the child lock alone as the restraint strategy for younger passengers until the recall work is complete.
On the 2015-2016 Renault Kadjar 1.2 TCe 130 (H5Ft), early Kadjars with the 1.2 TCe 130 petrol engine (Renault code H5Ft, Euro 5) suffer excessive oil consumption caused by over-wide tolerances between pistons, rings and bores, letting oil pass into the combustion chamber. Owners commonly report needing more than a litre per 1,000 km. The burnt oil coats and damages the exhaust valves, and cases have escalated to sudden power loss at speed and complete engine destruction, with repair bills quoted up to EUR 10,000. The French consumer group that raised the alert covered Renault, Dacia, Nissan and Mercedes vehicles with the H5-series 1.2 TCe / 1.2 DI-t engine built from late 2012 to mid-2016; roughly 400,000 European cars carried the engine, including the Kadjar, Clio IV and Mégane III, with around 133,000 in France alone. Over 1,700 customers reported problems and several dozen French owners filed a criminal complaint at the Nanterre court alleging aggravated deception and endangerment. Renault disputed that all TCe A.2 engines are affected and attributed consumption to lubricants and usage conditions. Because the Kadjar launched in 2015, only its first two model years fall inside the defective production window; 1.5/1.6 dCi diesel and later 1.3 TCe Kadjars are unaffected.
Common Symptoms
Oil consumption above one litre per 1,000 km
Blue smoke from the exhaust
Low oil level warning between services
Sudden loss of power while driving
Misfire and rough running from damaged exhaust valves
How to Fix
Check oil level every fuel fill on an affected car — the failure mode is oil starvation and valve damage following unnoticed consumption, and it typically shows before 50,000 km while still inside warranty. Have a documented oil consumption test carried out by a Renault dealer (measured top-up over a set mileage) and open a warranty or goodwill claim on the strength of it, since consumption above roughly 0.5 l/1,000 km is not normal for this engine. Use only the specified Renault low-SAPS oil grade. Where consumption is already high, a piston and ring replacement is the real repair; topping up indefinitely ends in burnt exhaust valves and a scrapped engine.
According to Au7o's analysis of 55+ owner reports, the 2016 Renault Kadjar has 3 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: DPF Regeneration Failure, Rear Door Child Safety Lock Can Come Loose Unnoticed — Recall 0D26, 1.2 TCe (H5Ft) Excessive Oil Consumption Leading to Valve Damage and Engine Failure. Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Renault Kadjar reliable?
The 2016 Renault Kadjar has 3 known issues documented across 55+ owner reports. 3 issues are rated critical: DPF Regeneration Failure and Rear Door Child Safety Lock Can Come Loose Unnoticed — Recall 0D26 and 1.2 TCe (H5Ft) Excessive Oil Consumption Leading to Valve Damage and Engine Failure. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Renault Kadjar problems?
Repair costs for known Renault Kadjar issues range from $0 to $10,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, DPF Regeneration Failure, typically costs $200-$2,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2015-2022 Renault Kadjar DPF Regeneration Failure?
The Kadjar diesel models experience frequent DPF regeneration failures, particularly in vehicles used primarily for short urban commutes. The regeneration process requires sustained load that urban driving cannot provide. Repairs typically run $200-$2,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2015-2018 Renault Kadjar Rear Door Child Safety Lock Can Come Loose Unnoticed — Recall 0D26?
On Kadjars built at Palencia, Spain between 29 June 2015 and 2 March 2018, the child safety lock mechanism in the rear doors can work loose without the owner noticing. A parent who has set the child lock — and reasonably believes the rear doors cannot be opened from inside — can… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2015-2016 Renault Kadjar 1.2 TCe (H5Ft) Excessive Oil Consumption Leading to Valve Damage and Engine Failure?
Early Kadjars with the 1.2 TCe 130 petrol engine (Renault code H5Ft, Euro 5) suffer excessive oil consumption caused by over-wide tolerances between pistons, rings and bores, letting oil pass into the combustion chamber. Owners commonly report needing more than a litre per 1,000… Repairs typically run $3,000-$10,000. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
