Overview and Common Failures
The body is galvanized and resistant to corrosion, but the front fenders are entirely made of plastic. However, due to clogged drainage, water often accumulates in the car's internal cavities, causing the car to rot from the inside. Additionally, the electrical wiring quickly deteriorates as a result.
The interior has good materials and ergonomics, but it often squeaks on uneven surfaces. The main complaints are related to numerous electrical failures: the central lock often malfunctions, as well as the climate control and power windows. The car also regularly experiences issues with the cabin temperature sensor and the key card becoming detached.
The 1.4-liter K4J engine was only installed in the base versions of the compact van. This engine, with a cast iron cylinder block and a 16-valve DOHC with hydraulic lash adjusters, is known for its high durability. However, it often experiences electrical failures and oil leaks. There is also an unreliable camshaft phaser and if the timing belt breaks, it can cause valve damage. The 1.6-liter K4M engine is essentially the same as the one described above, but with a different displacement. The 2.0-liter F4R engine belongs to a different series, but it has similar construction and problems. Here, sensors often malfunction, the camshaft phaser and ignition coils fail, the valves can be bent if the belt breaks, and there are oil leaks from the seals and coolant leaks from the thermostat. Diesel engines were only available in the European market. The second-generation Scenic had the 1.5-liter K9K, 1.9-liter F9Q, and 2.0-liter M9R engines.
The 5-speed manual transmission JH3 with a lever drive was installed in the 1.4-liter engine version and is characterized by not very smooth gear shifting, vibrations, and noisy operation. It is fairly reliable, but the synchronizers wear out quickly with dynamic driving. Another weak point is leaks from the left driveshaft due to seal destruction. The 5-speed manual transmission JR5 with a cable shift control and hydraulic clutch works well with the gasoline engine, but its durability is not as high with diesel engines. The old JB3 manual transmission from the first Scenic is sometimes found with the 1.6-liter engine. The 6-speed manual transmission TL4 was also installed with both gasoline and diesel engines. It does not have any major problems, except that in the early years of production, oil was sometimes not properly filled. The 6-speed manual transmission ND0 was installed with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and the 1.9-liter diesel. This gearbox can handle high torque and is highly reliable. The 6-speed manual transmission PK4 is only found with the 2.0-liter diesel. The 4-speed automatic transmission DP0 has a poor reputation. It is criticized for jerky shifting, rough operation, constant overheating, and low lifespan of solenoid regulators. The 6-speed automatic transmission AJ0 or Jatco JF613E was installed with the 2.0-liter diesel.
The suspension in the car is simple and reliable, with MacPherson struts at the front and a regular beam at the rear. Only the stabilizer bar links, support and hub bearings are replaced before reaching 100,000 km. The bushings of the subframe mount bracket wear out quickly and cause clunking noises. There are usually no complaints about the braking system, but the steering rack often causes issues. Noises may appear as early as 100,000 km due to wear of the plastic bushing.
