The Renegade is Jeep's entry-level crossover, built on Fiat's Small Wide platform and sharing its 1.6 MultiJet diesel with the Fiat 500X and Tipo. The 1.6 diesel is FWD-only and comes with either a 6-speed manual or the C635 DDCT dual-clutch automatic. The Renegade line at Melfi ran until October 2025, while this 1.6 MultiJet II diesel left the range in 2024; no direct successor is confirmed before 2027.· more· less
Compact size, easy to parkProven Fiat MultiJet diesel engine
DDCT auto has clutch issuesTurbo actuator prone to failure
Buy if: You want a compact diesel crossover with a manual gearbox and can verify the turbo service bulletin work has been carried out on a car built on or before 21 November 2015.
Avoid if: You mostly drive short urban trips (DPF clogging risk) or are looking at a DDCT automatic variant.
Price & maintenance
Used price
€12,000
median asking price, typically 95,000 km
Typical range€10,100 – €15,400
Kilometres drivenAll
Maintenance cost
€850 – €1,550/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€500 – €850 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€350 – €700 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Used price
€12,000
Typically €10,100 – €15,400, at around 95,000 km.
Kilometres driven
Maintenance
€850 – €1,550per year
€500 – €850
service, tyres, brakes
€350 – €700
repair buffer
Price & maintenance
Used price
€12,500
median asking price, typically 115,000 km
Typical range€10,000 – €14,800
Kilometres drivenAll
Maintenance cost
€850 – €1,550/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€500 – €850 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€350 – €700 /yr
Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Used price
€12,500
Typically €10,000 – €14,800, at around 115,000 km.
Variable geometry turbo actuator sticks or position sensor fails, causing limp mode · more· less
A confidential technical note sent to the Jeep dealer network in January 2016 identified a faulty turbo position sensor on 1.6 MJT engines; the matching bulletin covers cars built on or before 21 November 2015. The variable geometry turbo actuator can also stick from carbon buildup, particularly on cars used mainly for short trips. Symptoms include the engine warning light, loss of power above 2,000 rpm, and increased fuel consumption (8-9 L/100 km instead of the normal 6-7 L/100 km). If only the actuator is stuck, a specialist can clean or replace it for around €500-800. If the entire turbo assembly needs replacing, expect €1,200-2,200 including labor. Regular motorway driving helps prevent carbon buildup on the actuator vanes.
EGR valve clogging and cooler leak
up to €1,2002 of 7
EGR valve clogs with carbon after 35,000-45,000 km, cooler housing can crack and leak coolant · more· less
The EGR valve on the 1.6 MultiJet is prone to carbon buildup, particularly when the car is driven mostly on short trips. A first wave of problems typically appears after 35,000-45,000 km. Symptoms include rough idling, reduced power, and the engine warning light. Cleaning the EGR costs around €200-350, while full replacement runs €400-600 including labor. Additionally, the EGR cooler housing is a plastic component that can crack over time, causing coolant to leak. The cooler housing replacement costs around €600-1,200 depending on whether the leak is caught early. Owners on the Fiat Forum report this is a recurring weak point across all 1.6 MultiJet applications.
DPF clogging (short-trip driving)
up to €2,0003 of 7
Diesel particulate filter blocks if the car rarely reaches motorway speeds for regeneration · more· less
Like all modern diesels, the 1.6 MultiJet needs regular sustained driving at higher speeds to trigger DPF regeneration. Cars used predominantly for urban short trips will experience DPF clogging, often accompanied by the engine warning light and reduced power. A forced regeneration at a workshop costs around €150-250. If the filter is too far gone, professional chemical cleaning runs €400-600. Full DPF replacement costs €1,200-2,000 and is typically needed after 120,000-150,000 km. Cars from the European MY2019, when Jeep introduced SCR-on-filter with AdBlue on this engine, add potential failure points in the AdBlue pump and NOx sensors.
DDCT dual-clutch gearbox failure (if equipped)
up to €3,5004 of 7
C635 dry-clutch auto suffers premature clutch wear and bearing collapse · more· less
The Fiat C635 DDCT is a dry dual-clutch gearbox used in the Renegade, 500X, and several Alfa Romeo models. Known faults include premature clutch pack wear (some cases as early as 30,000-40,000 km), over-shimmed main gear shaft causing taper roller bearing collapse (producing a distinctive whining sound), and jerky low-speed behavior. A specialist gearbox shop reported that while 95% of clutch replacements are due to normal wear at acceptable mileage, early failures do occur. Clutch replacement runs €1,500-2,500 including dual mass flywheel. If bearing damage has occurred, a full gearbox rebuild can reach €3,000-3,500. Manual-gearbox Renegades avoid this issue entirely and are significantly more reliable in the drivetrain department.
Body Control Module (BCM) electrical faults
up to €8005 of 7
BCM causes parasitic battery drain, phantom warning lights, and alarm malfunctions · more· less
Several Renegade owners report persistent electrical gremlins traced to the Body Control Module. Symptoms include battery draining overnight, phantom warning lights on the dashboard, false alarm triggers, and intermittent failures of various electrical functions. The issue often starts subtly with occasional warnings and progressively worsens. A BCM programming update can sometimes resolve the issue (around €100-200 at a dealer). If the module itself needs replacement, expect €500-800 including programming. A UConnect software update has also been found to reduce parasitic battery drain in some cases.
Starter motor failure
up to €7006 of 7
Starter motor can fail between 80,000-120,000 km on the 1.6 MultiJet · more· less
The starter motor on the 1.6 MultiJet is a known wear item that can fail earlier than expected, typically between 80,000-120,000 km. The symptom is a click from the solenoid when turning the key but no engine cranking. Replacement at an independent workshop costs around €400-500, while a dealer charges €550-700. This is more of an annoyance than a catastrophic failure, but it can leave you stranded without warning.
Suspension bushing wear and clunking
up to €6007 of 7
Front control arm bushings and sway bar links wear, causing clunking over bumps · more· less
The Renegade's front suspension components, particularly the lower control arm bushings and sway bar end links, tend to wear relatively quickly. Owners report clunking and knocking noises when driving over bumps, typically appearing after 60,000-80,000 km. The bushings deteriorate faster on cars driven on poor road surfaces. Replacement of both front control arm bushings and sway bar links costs around €300-600 at an independent workshop. The rear suspension is less problematic.
Reliable engine, but emissions equipment and DDCT gearbox need attention
The 1.6 MultiJet engine itself is a proven Fiat diesel found across many models, and with regular highway driving and timely maintenance it can comfortably exceed 200,000 km. The main concerns are the turbo actuator (especially on pre-2016 cars), EGR clogging from short trips, and the DDCT automatic if equipped. Manual-gearbox examples with complete service history and regular motorway use are the lowest-risk choice. Cars from MY2019 add AdBlue complexity but benefit from updated emissions hardware.
Service history
Complete Jeep dealer or Fiat specialist records essential. Verify oil change intervals (every 12 months or 15,000 km).
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes), and uneven wear. The Renegade is known for accelerated front tire wear.
Cold start
Start the engine completely cold. Listen for unusual rattling or excessive diesel clatter in the first 30 seconds.
Test drive
Drive for at least 20 minutes including both city and motorway speeds to bring the engine and gearbox up to full temperature.
Specific for this vehicle
Check for turbo boost loss and limp mode
Accelerate firmly through all gears. Any sudden power loss, engine warning light, or failure to build boost above 2,000 rpm indicates turbo actuator problems.
Test DDCT gearbox thoroughly (if automatic)
Drive in stop-start traffic for 10+ minutes. Feel for harsh jerking from standstill, hesitation between gears, or whining sounds. These indicate clutch or bearing wear.
Check for EGR and DPF warning lights
Scan with OBD reader for stored fault codes. Look for EGR-related codes and DPF soot loading percentage. Ask about the DPF regeneration history.
+ 4 more checksShow less
Verify turbo bulletin work (cars built up to 21 Nov 2015)
Cars built on or before 21 November 2015 fall under FCA technical service bulletin 09-003-16, which replaces the turbocharger and repositions the filter. This is a bulletin rather than a safety recall, so it is not always carried out; confirm with a Jeep dealer using the VIN.
Inspect for coolant leaks around EGR area
Check coolant level and look for dried coolant residue around the EGR cooler housing. Low coolant without visible external leaks may indicate a cracked EGR cooler.
Check electrical functions and battery health
Test all dashboard warning lights, windows, central locking, and alarm. Ask if the battery has been replaced recently, which may indicate parasitic drain issues.
Listen for suspension clunking
Drive slowly over speed bumps and listen for knocking from the front suspension. Check the control arm bushings and sway bar links visually.
Trailer hitch assembly incorrectly fastened - European production 25 August 2014 to 25 June 2016Verify if applicable
Brake caliper cracking risk (campaign VE8) - built 14 November to 13 December 2019Verify completed
Defective airbag control unit (campaign V42) - BU vehicles from 2018-2019Verify completed
Side curtain airbags left disconnected (campaign Z93) - built 4 December 2020 to 23 July 2021Verify completed
Contact a Jeep dealer with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. Three of these actions concern airbag function, so they matter even on a car that looks well kept. The turbo work often listed here is not a recall: FCA bulletin 09-003-16 covers vehicles built on or before 21 November 2015 and prescribes turbocharger replacement plus filter repositioning, which a previous owner may simply never have had done. Jeep France's own inflator inventory marks the 2015-2018 Renegade BU as not affected by the Takata action, despite frequent claims to the contrary.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years, plus a third year in the UK subject to mileage)Expired on all used examples
Rust perforation warranty (7 years)May still apply on 2018+ cars
Extended warrantyAvailable through Jeep dealers and third-party providers
Jeep's terms in the UK and Germany give 7 years of anti-perforation cover, and UK cars had a third warranty year subject to mileage; either way all Jeep Renegade 1.6 MultiJet models are outside their original factory warranty. Extended warranty plans are available through Stellantis dealers but check exclusions carefully, especially for emission system components.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
