Overview and Common Failures
Body The paintwork here is very weak, the car quickly gets chipped and even cracked, although rust does not appear as quickly as on the first generation. The edges of the wheel arches are not protected from sandblasting and will soon peel off. Interior Compared to its predecessor, the interior has improved in terms of material quality and, most importantly, has gotten rid of many controversial ergonomic solutions. But it is still very budget-friendly and has weak sound insulation. The steering wheel switch often fails electrically. Engine The 1.6-liter gasoline engines Renault K4M and K7M with a cast iron cylinder block and timing belt are renowned for their long service life, accessible service and spare parts. Most often, owners are concerned about short-lived sensors, coils, and oil leaks from seals. The 1.6-liter engine Renault H4M with an aluminum block has a more modest lifespan but bothers less with minor issues. In addition, the chain timing mechanism lasts longer than the belt. The main complaint from owners on auto forums is slight oil consumption. Different engines were installed in Europe: naturally aspirated engines such as the 1.0-liter B4D or 1.2-liter D4F, the 0.9-liter turbocharged H4Bt, and also the 1.5-liter diesel K9K, which deserve separate articles. Transmission The 5-speed manual gearbox Renault JH3 equipped with a lever mechanism for gear selection was transferred from the previous model and is notorious for leaks and synchronizer wear. The Easy'R robotized gearbox, created based on the JH3 transmission, is very rare. It does not pose any special problems, but owners do not like its jerky operation. The 4-speed automatic DP2 has a bad reputation. Suspension Compared to its predecessor, the suspension has become stiffer and slightly less reliable. By 100,000 km, it is often necessary to replace not only the struts and stabilizer bushings but also the hub bearings, ball joints, tie rod ends, and even shock absorbers. There are usually no complaints about the steering rack, but the brake discs do not last particularly long.
