Common problems · engines and gearboxes

DPF Problems by Car Model

A diesel particulate filter traps soot and burns it off on longer runs. A car used mostly for short journeys may never get that chance, and the filter can block. These are the diesel models where at least two independent publishers report DPF problems, and the DPF-related recalls.

Check your car by registration

Recall · FordEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
Recall: diesel particulate filter can crack
On some diesel models the particulate filter (DPF) can crack. Ford updates the engine software to prevent it and tests the filter, replacing any that have already cracked.
Applies to: Some diesel Ford Focus Mk4, Kuga Mk3, Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy and EcoSport (DVSA lists 2018–2022 model years)
Only some diesels — the recall covers a few thousand vehicles across these models and does not name the engine. A Ford dealer can check by VIN.
3 sources

Model pages: Ford Focus, Ford Kuga

Recall · FordEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
Recall: diesel particulate filter can crack
On some diesel models the particulate filter (DPF) can crack. Ford updates the engine software to prevent it and tests the filter, replacing any that have already cracked.
Applies to: Some diesel Ford Transit Custom and Transit Courier (DVSA lists 2015–2018 model years)
Only some diesels — the recall covers a few thousand vehicles across these models and does not name the engine. A Ford dealer can check by VIN.
2 sources
- DVSA – Check vehicle recalls (GOV.UK) — X-Car Powertain Control Module (PCM) Software Update (R/2025/094)
- DVSA – Check vehicle recalls (GOV.UK) — X-Car Powertain Control Module (PCM) Software Update (R/2025/094)

Model pages: Ford Transit Custom

Recall · MitsubishiEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
Recall: injector-learning software fault could block the DPF
A fault in the 3.2 DI-D's engine software stopped it learning how its injectors varied and aged, so it could not correct the fuelling and produced too much soot. That could block the diesel particulate filter and make the engine stall and refuse to restart. Dealers reprogrammed the ECU.
Applies to: Shogun Mk4 3.2 DI-D built September 2010 – December 2013 (2,846 vehicles)
Recalls apply to specific vehicles by VIN — a Mitsubishi service centre or the DVSA recall checker can confirm whether this car was included and whether the work has been done.
Source
- DVSA – Check vehicle recalls (GOV.UK) — ENGINE MAY STALL (R/2015/003)

Recall · VauxhallEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
Recall: ignoring the DPF light can overheat the exhaust (fire risk)
On diesel Antaras, the DPF warning light asks the driver to keep driving steadily until it goes out. If it is ignored, the filter and exhaust can overheat and set fire to the lower engine cover nearby. The recall removed that cover and later fitted a redesigned one. Follow the DPF light's instructions.
Applies to: Antara diesel built November 2010 to May 2015
2 sources
- DVSA – Check vehicle recalls (GOV.UK) — POSSIBILITY OF FIRE (R/2015/137)
- Car Recalls UK (mirror of DVSA recall data) — VAUXHALL ANTARA – possibility of fire (R/2015/137)

Reported by 2 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
Diesel particulate filter can block on short-trip use
BMW's diesels need regular longer runs at speed for the diesel particulate filter (DPF) to burn off soot. Cars used mainly for short trips can clog the DPF (or a blocked EGR valve can cause similar symptoms), giving a warning light and poor running. A low-mileage car used around town is the one to check most carefully.
Applies to: BMW 3 Series (2012–2019), 5 Series (2012–2023), 2 Series Coupé and Active Tourer (2014–2021) and X1 (2015–2022) diesels
Depends on how the car has been used, which no record shows: mostly a problem for cars driven on short urban trips.
8 sources

Model pages: BMW 3 Series, BMW X1

Reported by 2 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
1.3 MultiJet diesel: blocked DPF and fuel diluting the oil
The particulate filter needs regular longer runs to clean itself. On cars used for short trips it can clog, and interrupted regenerations can wash diesel into the sump, so the oil level rises. Watch for the 'oil exhausted' warning and a rising dipstick; left alone it can damage the engine. Expect an oil change and a forced regeneration, or a new filter.
Applies to: Fiat 500 and 500C with the 1.3 MultiJet diesel (2008–2015)
Short-trip use makes this much more likely; a car that regularly does motorway miles is at lower risk.
3 sources

Model pages: Fiat 500

Reported by 3 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
MultiJet diesels: DPF clogging and fuel in the oil
The diesel particulate filter is prone to clogging on cars that rarely get a long run. Caught early it can be cleared; left, it is expensive. Interrupted regenerations can wash fuel into the sump and raise the oil level, which can damage the engine.
Applies to: Jeep Renegade and Cherokee KL diesels (Compass Mk2 pending a second source)
5 sources

Reported by 3 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogging and repair bills
Owners of these diesels report DPF problems that can be expensive to put right. The filter needs regular longer, faster drives to clean itself; a car used mostly for short, slow trips can clog it, and interrupted cleaning cycles can dilute the engine oil with fuel. For mainly town use a petrol is the safer choice.
Applies to: Diesel Ford Fiesta Mk8, B-Max, C-Max / Grand C-Max, EcoSport, Kuga Mk2 and Mk3, Mondeo (2014–2022) and Ka Mk2
Mostly a matter of how the car is used — a diesel driven regularly on faster roads is far less likely to have trouble.
10 sources

Model pages: Ford Fiesta, Ford Kuga

Reported by 3 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
1.6 i-DTEC diesel: DPF clogging on short journeys
The 1.6 diesel's particulate filter needs regular longer runs to clean itself. Cars used mostly for short urban trips can clog the DPF, bringing up a warning light and forced regenerations; some needed a new filter. EGR faults are reported alongside. A diesel suits owners who regularly drive longer distances.
Applies to: Civic Mk10 (2018–2022) and CR-V Mk4 (2013–2018) with the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel (1597cc)
4 sources

Model pages: Honda Civic

Reported by 4 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
2.0 Ingenium diesel: DPF blockage and fuel diluting the oil
The diesel particulate filter on the 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel struggles to clean itself on cars used for short trips. When a regeneration is cut short, extra fuel washes into the sump and thins the oil, which is blamed for faster timing-chain and turbo wear. Owners see DPF and engine warning lights or reduced power, and the service light can come on early. Longer runs, finishing regenerations and more frequent oil changes are the usual advice; a blocked filter needs a forced regeneration, cleaning or replacement.
Applies to: 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel (2015 on) in the Evoque, Discovery Sport, Discovery 5, Range Rover Sport, Velar, Defender, Jaguar XE, XF, E-Pace and F-Pace
Applies to the 2.0-litre diesel only, and mainly to cars used for short journeys.
7 sources

Model pages: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Jaguar XE

Reported by 3 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel: DPF problems and fuel diluting the oil
The diesel particulate filter cleans itself by burning off soot, and the process needs a decent run to finish. On cars that do mostly short trips it is often cut short: the filter can clog, and fuel from the process washes past the piston rings into the sump, so the oil level creeps up and the diluted oil protects the engine less well. The dipstick carries an X mark above MAX; once the level passes it the oil and filter need changing. Regular longer runs and on-time oil changes are the usual answer.
Applies to: CX-5 (2012 on), Mazda6 (2012–2023) and Mazda3 (2013–2019) with the 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel
Only the 2.2 diesel. Cars used mostly for short, cold journeys are the ones most affected.
7 sources

Model pages: Mazda CX-5

Reported by 2 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
1.5 Skyactiv-D diesel: DPF clogging on short trips
The small diesel's particulate filter needs regular longer runs to clean itself. Used mostly for short trips it can clog, and a blocked filter can lead to engine damage. Check how the previous owner used the car before buying a diesel.
Applies to: Mazda2 (2015 on) and CX-3 (2015–2020) with the 1.5 Skyactiv-D diesel
Diesel models only.
3 sources

Reported by 2 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
Macan S Diesel: particulate filter problems on short trips
Diesel Macans used mainly for short, low-speed journeys can have trouble with the diesel particulate filter (DPF), because it never gets hot enough to clean itself. Expect a DPF warning light and, if ignored, reduced power and a costly clean or replacement. A regular longer run at motorway speed helps prevent it.
Applies to: Macan S Diesel (95B, 3.0 V6 TDI), built 2014–2018
2 sources
- Auto Express — Used Porsche Macan (2014-2025) buyer's guide
- PistonHeads — Porsche Macan | PH Used Buying Guide

Reported by 4 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
1.5 dCi diesel: DPF clogging on short trips
The diesel particulate filter on the 1.5 dCi is known to clog on cars that mostly do short, slow journeys, bringing up a warning light and costing a lot if the filter has to be replaced. Interrupted regenerations can also wash fuel into the oil, so the oil level slowly rises — a sign to have it checked. A regular motorway run helps; a mainly town car is better off as a petrol.
Applies to: Renault, Dacia and Nissan with the 1.5 dCi diesel (K9K) and a particulate filter, including Clio, Captur, Mégane, Scénic, Kadjar, Duster, Sandero, Logan, Micra, Note, Juke, Qashqai and Pulsar
Mostly a problem for cars used on short trips; a diesel that has done regular long runs is far less likely to have it.
6 sources

Model pages: Renault Clio, Renault Captur, Dacia Sandero, Nissan Juke, Nissan Qashqai

Reported by 2 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
2.0 dCi diesel: DPF clogging on short trips
The particulate filter on the 2.0 dCi diesel can clog on cars used mainly for short, town journeys, and a replacement is expensive. What Car? says the 2.0 suffers from it more than the 1.5. A long motorway run can sometimes clear it.
Applies to: Nissan X-Trail Mk2 (T31, to 2014) and Qashqai Mk1 (to 2011) with the 2.0 dCi diesel (M9R)
4 sources

Model pages: Nissan Qashqai

Reported by 3 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) blocking on short trips
The diesel particulate filter needs regular longer runs to burn off soot. Cars used mostly for short town trips can block it, bringing up a warning light, reduced power and, on some cars, a refusal to start. Interrupted cleaning cycles can also let fuel into the engine oil, so the oil level rises. Chemical cleaning may not be enough, and a new filter is expensive.
Applies to: Diesel Peugeot 208, 2008, 308 and 3008, Citroën C4 Picasso, Grand C4 Picasso, C4 Cactus and DS3, built 2012–2024
Mostly a problem for diesels used on short trips; DVLA cannot tell how a car has been driven.
9 sources

Model pages: Peugeot 2008

Reported by 2 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
1.4 D-4D diesel: particulate filter clogging
The 1.4 D-4D diesel Yaris has a diesel particulate filter that can block if the car is not driven far enough to clean it, bringing on the DPF or engine warning light and a loss of power. Owners report forced regenerations at the dealer and, in some cases, new filters quoted at around £800. It suits drivers who regularly cover longer distances.
Applies to: Yaris Mk3 (2011–2020) with the 1.4 D-4D diesel (1ND-TV)
2 sources
- Honest John (archived copy) — Toyota Yaris (2011 – 2020) review – What to watch out for
- Parkers — Used Toyota Yaris Hatchback (2011 - 2020) review – known faults

Model pages: Toyota Yaris

Reported by 2 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
Diesel particulate filter clogs on short trips
Diesel Mokkas need regular longer runs for the particulate filter (DPF) to clean itself. Used mainly for short trips, the filter can block, and cleaning or replacing it is a significant bill. Car Mechanics reports DPF problems on the older 1.7 CDTi, some replaced by Vauxhall. For mostly short journeys, a petrol is the safer choice.
Applies to: Mokka and Mokka X diesels (2012–2019), especially the 1.7 CDTi
3 sources

Model pages: Vauxhall Mokka

Reported by 3 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
TDI diesels: blocked DPF and EGR valve on short-trip cars
Diesel versions driven mostly on short trips often don't get hot enough for long enough to burn the soot out of the diesel particulate filter (DPF), and the EGR valve can stick with carbon too. Owners see a DPF warning light, reduced power or limp mode. A long fast drive can clear a filter that isn't too far gone and specialists can clean one; otherwise it needs a new DPF, because a car without a working filter fails its MOT.
Applies to: VW Polo and Audi A1 diesels (1.2, 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 TDI) built 2012–2021
13 sources

Model pages: Volkswagen Polo, Audi A1

These describe the model, not one car. Plenty of cars never have the problems their model is known for, and a recall may already have been done on yours. Every problem links to its sources; a reported problem needs two independent publishers before we list it.

Recalls are listed by DVSA for the model around its build date — check a specific car by VIN at GOV.UK. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Common questions

What are the common Diesel particulate filters (DPF) problems?

Recall: diesel particulate filter can crack; Recall: diesel particulate filter can crack; Recall: injector-learning software fault could block the DPF; Recall: ignoring the DPF light can overheat the exhaust (fire risk); Diesel particulate filter can block on short-trip use; 1.3 MultiJet diesel: blocked DPF and fuel diluting the oil. Each is listed above with the models it applies to and its sources.

Does my car have one of these problems?

Not necessarily — these describe the engine or gearbox, and many cars never have them. Enter your registration in the common problems checker to see what applies to your exact car, and a service history check to see whether the work has been done.

DPF Problems by Car Model

Common questions

More common problems