Known Faults Database

Renault Trafic problems, reliability and years to avoid

If you are considering buying a used Renault Trafic, these are the common problems worth knowing about first. Our garage database tracks 6 known faults for this model, 2 of them rated high severity. Every one below is a repair bill a seller has good reason not to mention.

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Is the Renault Trafic reliable?

The Renault Trafic has 6 known faults in our database, 2 of them rated high severity. The most serious are gearbox (manual gearbox bearing failure, also found on the Vivaro, Movano and Primastar) and bodywork (outer sill and side door step corrosion, and more seriously rot in the prescribed areas). None of them makes the car a bad buy on its own; the risk is a seller who knows and says nothing.

That is a count of the faults we hold, not a reliability score. Popular cars get written about more, and a newer generation has had less time to show its faults.

Which Renault Trafic years should you avoid?

No year is a write-off on its own. What matters is which serious faults a given year and engine can have, and whether the car in front of you has had them fixed.

Years and engines with a serious known fault

2001 to 2014, Manual gearboxes (PK5, PK6, PF1, PF6): manual gearbox bearing failure, also found on the Vivaro, Movano and Primastar
2001 to 2014, All: outer sill and side door step corrosion, and more seriously rot

Each one is set out in full below, with the symptoms, the typical mileage and a rough repair cost.

Generation 1 of 16 known faults · 2 owner reports · 13 good notes

Renault Trafic X83 (2001 to 2014) problems

Bodywork/ChassisMedium severity💬 Owner reports

Rear wheel arch corrosion, inner and outer, on the X83 Trafic and its Vauxhall Vivaro and Nissan Primastar siblings. Mud and salt pack between the inner and outer arch and rot it from behind, so the outer skin bubbles only once the inner arch is already going. It is common enough that several suppliers make model-specific inner and outer arch repair panels for this exact van, in short and long wheelbase versions.

Rough guide

£300-1200

Typical symptoms

bubbling or perforation on the rear arch lip and the panel above it
rust flakes and packed mud between the inner and outer arch
filler or a rippled arch line from an earlier cosmetic repair

Affected vehicles

Engines:: All
Typically appears:: 8-20 years

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Bodywork/ChassisHigh severity💬 Owner reports

Outer sill and side door step corrosion, and more seriously rot in the prescribed areas around the rear suspension and shock absorber mountings. The sills and door steps are where water drains and sits; the suspension mounting areas are structural, so corrosion there is an MOT failure and a much harder weld than an arch or a sill panel.

Rough guide

£300-1500

Typical symptoms

crusty or holed metal along the outer sill and the side door step
corrosion around the rear suspension and shock absorber mounting points
MOT advisories or failures citing corrosion within a prescribed area
patch plates welded over the sill or mounting areas

Affected vehicles

Engines:: All
Typically appears:: 8-20 years

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Fuel SystemMedium severity📝 Editorial

When the windscreen scuttle seal fails, rain drips onto the 2.0 dCi engine and collects in the recess where the injectors sit. On a van that stands unused for long spells, or only does short runs, the engine never gets hot enough to dry it, so corrosion bonds the injectors into the head and they can fail. Vivaro and Primastar vans with this engine suffer the same.

Typical symptoms

hard starting or misfiring
rough running and smoke
rust or standing water on top of the engine around the injectors

Affected vehicles

Engines:: 2.0 dCi (M9R) diesel
Typical mileage:: unknown miles

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Fuel SystemMedium severity📝 Editorial

Worn injectors on the 1.9 dCi: the engine will not rev for 20 seconds or so after starting. Injectors often snap while being removed, and one that does turns a routine injector job into a cylinder head removal.

Typical symptoms

engine will not rev for several seconds after starting

Affected vehicles

Engines:: 1.9 dCi (F9Q) diesel
Typical mileage:: unknown miles

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Transmission/ClutchHigh severity📝 Editorial

Manual gearbox bearing failure, also found on the Vivaro, Movano and Primastar: the bearing preload is set far too tight at assembly, so the bearings wear out and can destroy the gearbox, in some vans from as little as 20,000 miles, however the van has been driven or serviced.

Typical symptoms

whine or rumble from the gearbox that rises with speed
noise that changes on and off the throttle
loss of drive as the gearbox fails

Affected vehicles

Engines:: Manual gearboxes (PK5, PK6, PF1, PF6)
Typical mileage:: 20000+ miles

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Transmission/ClutchMedium severity📝 Editorial

The gear selector cable bush wears or pops off the ball joint on the gearbox selector arm, so gears become hard or impossible to select. It is common across the Trafic, Master, Vivaro, Movano and Primastar from 2001, and a cheap retaining clip is available to stop it happening again.

Typical symptoms

sloppy or vague gear lever
cannot select one or more gears
gear lever goes floppy with no gear engaged

Affected vehicles

Engines:: Manual gearboxes
Typical mileage:: unknown miles

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What owners report on the X83

2 single reports, unconfirmed

One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.

Bodywork · November 2017A Nissan Primastar van developed a low clutch biting point; after a new clutch did not fix it, the pedal assembly was found fatigued and pulling from the bulkhead.
Engine · March 2017The timing belt on a 2004 Trafic engine snapped at 57,000 miles, causing engine damage.

What owners like about the X83

13 notes

The Trafic offers good driving dynamics with powerful turbodiesel engines, providing low running costs and decent fuel economy.
Cabin comfort is excellent due to a height-adjustable driver's seat and a steering wheel that adjusts for reach and rake.
The Trafic offers practical versatility, with options for different body lengths, roof heights, and gross vehicle weights.
The updated Trafic from June 2010 features improved suspension, a new dashboard, and the 2.0 dCi chain cam diesel engine.
This front-wheel-drive van is available in lengths of 4,782mm and 5,182mm, with a width of 1,904mm excluding mirrors.
Available roof heights are 1,969mm or 2,464mm, offering load capacities from 5 to 8.3 cubic metres.
The Trafic features low load floors, making it easier to load and unload cargo.
These vans are offered as single or double cab kombi versions, providing 3.2 or 4.1 cubic metres of loadspace.
Engine options include a 1,996cc chain cam diesel with 90PS or 115PS, or a 150PS 2.5 litre diesel.
The 2.0dCi 90 achieves 7.4 litres/100km combined, while the 2.0dCi 115 also returns 7.4 litres/100km combined.
A long body 9-seater bus with a robotised gearbox showed increased CO2 emissions and reduced fuel economy.
The robotised gear shift functions effectively for town driving, and the Trafic bus offers decent handling.
All Renault vans in the UK come with a 3-year, 100,000-mile warranty, demonstrating confidence in their commercial vehicles.

Sellers rarely admit these faults outright

We track 20 specific phrases sellers use in adverts to soft-pedal these exact issues. Paste any Renault Trafic advert and we check it in seconds.

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Renault Trafic recalls

Recall work is done by the manufacturer, and GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for it. These are the 21 DVSA recalls for the Trafic, newest first. They do not tell you whether this particular car has had the work: for that, put the registration into the free GOV.UK MOT history check, which shows a recall status where the manufacturer shares it, or ask a franchised dealer to check the VIN.

🏛️ January 2024Cars built September 2023 to October 2023

On affected vehicles the driver and passenger airbag and seatbelt pre-tensioners may not deploy.

Put right by: Replace the airbag collision sensors.

DVSA R/2024/00622 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ January 2024Cars built November 2021 to September 2023

On affected vehicles the driver and passenger airbag and seatbelt pre-tensioners may not deploy.

Put right by: Replace the airbag collision sensors.

DVSA R/2024/0041,135 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ September 2020Cars built January 2020 to March 2020

Risk of the gas generator cracking on the passenger air bag

Risk of the gas generator cracking on the passenger airbag causing a leak meaning the airbag may not display fully in an event of an accident.

Put right by: Replace the passenger airbag as a preventive measure.

DVSA R/2020/26745 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ February 2020Cars built March 2019 to June 2019

The handbrake may not hold the vehicle in place

There is a risk the handbrake may not hold the vehicle in place due to a non-conformity of the rear brake calipers

Put right by: Check the manufacturing markings on the Left and Right Rear Brake Calipers and if necessary replace them

DVSA R/2020/021450 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ July 2019Cars built March 2019 to March 2019

Possible fuel leak from tank

Possible Fuel leak from tank

Put right by: Check the date of manufacture of the fuel tank and change it if necessary

DVSA R/2020/0023 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ June 2019Cars built May 2018 to September 2018

Potential risk of failure to the secondary parking brake

Possible failure of the parking brake due to a non-conformity (crimping) at cable connection ends.

Put right by: Replace the secondary cables and connectors.

DVSA R/2019/1412,475 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ June 2019Cars built May 2017 to January 2019

Rear bench seatbelt buckle bolts may not be correctly tightened

Rear bench seatbelt buckle bolts may not be correctly tightened.

Put right by: Check the buckle bolts are at the correct torque.

DVSA R/2019/1857 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ January 2019Cars built January 2018 to January 2018

Seatbelt may become stuck due to incorrect fitting of the reel housing

Rear seatbelt may become stuck due to incorrect fitting of the reel housing.

Put right by: Check the fitting of the seat belt inertia reel housings and adjust as required.

DVSA R/2019/0175 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ June 2018Cars built July 2016 to December 2017

LED light fitment may affect other lamps

Lighting fault after LED fitment

Put right by: Re-programme and re-configure the Energy Manangement Module

DVSA R/2018/145152 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ January 2017Cars built May 2015 to January 2016

Incorrect tyre pressure label and spare wheel fitted

It has been identified that the incorrect tyre pressure label has been fitted. In addition if orderer the spare wheel may also be incorrect. It is therefore possible that the stability of the vehicle could be affected.

Put right by: Recall all affected vehicles to replace both the tyre pressure label and the spare wheel with new quality assured items.

DVSA R/2017/01332 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ December 2016Cars built March 2014 to January 2016

Rear axle may detach

The rear axle bolts may not have been correctly tightened which may generate a noise from inside the wheel arch or cause friction on the Tyre. If the concern is not addressed it is possible for the axle to become uncoupled from the body of the vehicle.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to ensure the bolts are at the correct torque. Where axle bolts are found to be missing the axle must be replaced.

DVSA R/2016/27918,486 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ November 2016Cars built September 2012 to December 2013

Steering may be adversely affected

The customer may experience vibrations or noise from the steering wheel due to cracks starting in the steering wheel hub. If not rectified in the worst case over time the steering wheel could break and affect the directional control of the vehicle.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check of the manufacturing date of the steering wheel hub. The steering wheel hub will be replaced it if the date is inside the identified period.

DVSA R/2016/2033,388 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ November 2016Cars built December 2013 to September 2015

EGR pipe may crack and allow exhaust gases to leak

It has been identified that during production the EGR pipe has been manufactured from incorrect thickness material. Due to the affect of stresses i.e. heat vibration etc on the pipe it can lead to cracking. If there is significant crack there is a possibility exhaust gases could leak. This could cause surrounding parts to deteriorate. If this happens the vehicle will emit black smoke from the exhaust there will be a loss of power and a warning light will illuminate on the instrument panel.

Put right by: Recall all affected vehicles and replace to the EGR pipe.

DVSA R/2016/2434,310 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ May 2016Cars built May 2014 to December 2014

Airbag may not deploy correctly

There is a risk the passenger airbag mounting bolts are incorrectly installed which can lead to the airbag not correctly deploying. If a heavy front end collision occurs the passenger could sustain additional injury.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check for the presence of the bolts and if missing fit new one(s).

DVSA R/2016/103348 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ March 2016Cars built January 2014 to March 2016

Bonnet may open without warning

On a small number of vehicles one or more of the bonnet lock bolts may not be correctly tightened. In exceptional cases this may cause the bonnet to open whilst driving.

Put right by: On affected vehicles check and where necessary tighten bonnet lock bolts.

DVSA R/2016/01712,832 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ January 2016

Engine power and/or braking efficiency may be affected

On affected vehicles the drive to brake vacuum pump may fail. This may cause a loss of brake servo assistance and a hard brake pedal. It may also cause a reduction in engine power.

Put right by: Check the manufacture date of the vacuum pump and where necessary replace the pump.

DVSA R/2016/001527 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ March 2015Cars built March 2014 to November 2014

Steering may not perform as expected

The front axle wishbone mounting nuts may not have been tightened to the correct specification. The driver may experience noise from the front axle or find the steering becomes vague.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check the torque tightening of the axle wishbone nuts or replace if required.

DVSA R/2015/019936 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ March 2015Cars built March 2014 to November 2014

Brake pedal may loosen

It is possible for the servo mounting bolts to loosen. If the noises are ignored over time it is possible for the brakes to be compromised.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the brake pedal/servo mounting nuts.

DVSA R/2015/020622 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ March 2015Cars built March 2014 to November 2014

Parking brake may not perform correctly

The parking brake cable may not have been assembled correctly which can result in either the inability to apply the parking brake or the inability to release the parking brake.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the parking brake cable.

DVSA R/2015/021418 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ March 2015Cars built September 2014 to October 2014

Seat frame may fail

The integrity of the front seat bench frame for the passengers may be compromised because of non-compliance during the manufacturing processes. Customer may hear noises coming from underneath the bench. They may also notice some cracking on the seat frame angles. If the seat fails during a collision the passengers have an elevated risk of injury.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and inspect the seat frame. Replace the seat where necessary.

DVSA R/2015/0451,425 vehicles affected in the UK

🏛️ May 2014Cars built July 2011 to September 2013

Vehicle rear lighting systems may fail

There is a possibility that the rear lights may cease to function due to the wiring insulation being abraded on a roof lining angle bracket. If the rear lights cease to function there is an increased risk of collision as other road users are not warned of vehicle; position directional intent or braking intent. Warnings for the driver can be gained from acrid smell indicator tell-tale flashing faster than normal and other electrical items in the rear not working.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check and where necessary replace the wiring. In all cases protection for the wiring will be fitted.

DVSA R/2014/052648 vehicles affected in the UK

Recall data published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence v3.0. A recall listed here may not apply to every car of this model: the build dates and the registration check are what decide it.

Renault Trafic timing chain, and service intervals

A timing chain has no change interval, which is not the same as lasting for ever. Listen for it on a used Trafic, and check the oil has been changed on time. These are the figures UK specialists work to.

Timing chainChain

1.6 DCI, R9M, X82

No fixed replacement interval

Chain driven with no scheduled replacement, and not to be confused with the belt-driven 1.5 dCi. Fitted to the Trafic III from 2014 until the 2.0 Blue dCi replaced it around 2019-2020. Uprated heavy-duty aftermarket kits exist, which reflects wear cases on hard-worked vans, so investigate any start-up rattle.

Always confirm against the vehicle handbook. Intervals vary by engine, and several manufacturers revised theirs after failures in service.

Repair costs are typical UK ranges, not quotes. Actual cost depends on condition and garage.Data last verified: September 2026

Renault Trafic buying questions

What are the most common Renault Trafic problems?

Three stand out. Gearbox: manual gearbox bearing failure, also found on the Vivaro, Movano and Primastar (typically 20000+ miles). Bodywork: outer sill and side door step corrosion, and more seriously rot in the prescribed areas around. Fuel system: when the windscreen scuttle seal fails, rain drips onto the 2.0 dCi engine. The full list above is grouped by generation, with typical mileage and a rough repair cost for each.

Which Renault Trafic years should I avoid?

No Renault Trafic year is a write-off, but the X83 (2001 to 2014) carries the most serious faults: gearbox and bodywork. Year matters less than whether the specific car has had the known fixes, so check the history for them.

What should I check when viewing a used Renault Trafic?

Ask the seller about the gearbox, bodywork and fuel system faults on this page and whether they have been fixed, with invoices. On the test drive watch for whine or rumble from the gearbox that rises with speed, crusty or holed metal along the outer sill and the side door step and hard starting or misfiring. Read the MOT history for repeat advisories, then paste the advert into the free check, which reads it against all 6 known faults before you travel. Check a Renault Trafic advert →

Are there any recalls on the Renault Trafic?

The DVSA lists 21 safety recalls for the Renault Trafic issued between 2014 and 2024. The most recent, from January 2024, is "On affected vehicles the driver and passenger airbag and seatbelt pre-tensioners may not deploy". Recall work is done by the manufacturer, and GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for it. This list is by model, so it cannot tell you whether one particular car has had the work: the free GOV.UK MOT history check shows a recall status from the registration where the manufacturer shares it, and a franchised dealer can check the VIN.

What is the real MPG of a Renault Trafic?

Owners report 35.1 mpg on average across the Renault Trafic engines with data, about 83% of the official combined figure. The gap between official and real-world economy varies a lot by engine, so the Real MPG page lists every engine and generation separately, from 104 owner submissions. Renault Trafic Real MPG by engine →

Looking at a Renault Trafic right now? Check the advert before you go and see it.

Where this Renault Trafic fault data comes from

If you used to check the Honest John “Good & Bad” section before the site closed in 2026, this page is where that information now lives. We rebuilt the Renault Trafic owner-report history from the archived Honest John dataset, added our own research, specialist and owner-club sources and DVSA recall data, and we keep it free. Each fault above is badged with its source. The same data feeds our free advert check, which reads a listing against every known fault for the exact engine and year.

CarAdCheck is not affiliated with Honest John or Volkswagen Financial Services. What happened to Honest John, and where each feature lives now.

Before you go and see it

Knowing what a Renault Trafic goes wrong with is half of it. The rest is reading the advert and checking the car's history before you hand any money over.

How to haggle for a used car: negotiate the price with what its records show13 min read HPI check vs carVertical: which is better, and our pick for a UK car9 min read MOT advisories explained: how to check them, and which ones should worry you12 min read

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