- Almost every 4-speed automatic Renault and Peugeot uses the same transmission: the DP0 at Renault (written DPO in Mexico) and the AL4 at Peugeot and Citroën.
- In Mexico it's in the 2000s Clio, Megane and Scénic, the Duster 2.0 through 2020, the Captur 2.0, the Oroch, the Logan, Sandero and Stepway through 2020, the Nissan Platina and the 4-speed Peugeot 206, 207, 307, 208 and 2008.
- When it sticks in one gear and a light flashes, it's in failsafe mode: read the codes before replacing parts, because many faults are electrical.
- P0706 points to the multifunction (TR) switch and P0841 to the pressure sensor or its wiring; per specialist shops, harsh shifts come from pressure regulation.
- Manual-mode shifts blocked in very cold weather, or a flashing gear number when it refuses a shift, are normal per Renault Mexico's manuals.
The 4-speed automatic in Renault and Peugeot cars has a reputation for being delicate, and Mexican shops see it a lot: the Duster stuck in 3rd, the Peugeot 307 with "gearbox fault", the Clio that bangs into gear. Here's which cars have it, what each symptom means according to the technical literature and Renault Mexico's manuals, what's normal and what to check first.
Which Renaults and Peugeots have the DP0 or AL4?
It's the same 4-speed transmission developed by Renault and PSA (Peugeot and Citroën): Renault calls it the DP0 (in Mexico almost always written DPO) and Peugeot the AL4. The brands don't publish the code in their Mexican spec sheets, which only say "4-speed automatic", so we assigned it from shop documentation and parts catalogs:
- Renault Clio, Megane and Scénic from about 2001 to 2010.
- 2012 to 2020 automatic Renault Duster 2.0, automatic Captur 2.0 through 2021 and automatic Oroch 2.0.
- Automatic Renault Logan, Sandero and Stepway 1.6 from about 2016 to 2020.
- 2002 to 2010 Nissan Platina: its 1st to 4th ratios are the DP0's. We explain it in what transmission does my Nissan have?.
- Peugeot 206, 207 and 307, the 301 before its facelift, the 2014 to 2017 208 1.6 and the 2008 1.6 from 2014 to about 2018.
Not the DP0: the Fluence, Megane III and Koleos use a Jatco CVT (see Nissan CVT problems); the Captur from 2022 and the Duster, Logan and Stepway from 2021 are CVTs too, and the Peugeot 208 from 2018 and the facelifted 301 use a 6-speed automatic. The Kwid and Kangoo had no automatic in Mexico.
"Gearbox fault", flashing lights or stuck in 3rd
When the transmission computer detects a mechanical, hydraulic or electrical fault, it enters failsafe mode. According to training material for Mexican shops, in that mode shifting locks, pressure goes to maximum and a dash light stays on or flashes. Peugeots show "gearbox fault" or "gearbox faulty" and, per owners and shops, the Sport and Snow lights flash; on a Renault the "D" may flash. Typically it stays in one gear, usually 3rd.
Turning the engine off and on sometimes clears it for a while, but the cause is still there. The first step is reading the codes with a scan tool: on this transmission many faults are electrical (the transmission connector, whose terminals open easily, the harness, a solenoid or the multifunction switch), and it doesn't need to be opened. More causes in transmission not shifting.
Bangs or harsh shifts
- Specialist shops report wear in the pressure regulator valve and its bore: line pressure ends up high, low or unstable, and shifts feel harsh.
- The pressure solenoid: the shop training material recommends replacing it on every overhaul.
- The fluid level and condition.
- If it only happens cold in manual mode, it may be normal: Renault Mexico's manual explains that in very cold weather the system can block manual-mode shifts until the transmission warms up. More in transmission slipping or shifting hard.
No drive when hot or slips into neutral
It's a known fault on this transmission: according to specialist shops, with hot fluid it loses pressure and stops moving, or drops into neutral. The causes they report are wear of the pressure regulator valve, the E1 clutch sealing rings, which lose flexibility and leak pressure, and the E2 clutch bushing. Check the fluid level first.
Slow to engage D or R, or shudders
Specialist shops report that the DP0 and AL4 pump bushing wears early: pump volume drops, D or R engages late, the converter shudders or slips and the front seal may leak. The stator bushings wear too.
Won't climb hills or over-revs
According to the shop training material, if the engine won't rev and the car can't climb a hill, the torque converter's stator one-way clutch is stuck; if the engine over-revs, it's slipping. If the transmission also slips, check codes P0730 to P0734.
It overheats
When the fluid is very hot, the computer delays the shifts and, in an extreme case, holds the transmission in 1st. Renault Mexico's manual warns that holding the car on a slope with the accelerator can overheat the transmission; use the brake. The cooler and wear around the converter seal area also play a part, per shops.
What's normal on the DP0
- In very cold weather, manual-mode shifts are blocked until the transmission warms up.
- It refuses a manual-mode shift and the gear number flashes for a few seconds.
- The transmission imposes a gear to protect the engine.
- The transmission light comes on for about 2 seconds when you switch on the ignition and then goes out.
- The converter clutch applies from 2nd, which in 3rd feels like a double shift.
DP0 and AL4 trouble codes
| Code | What it means and what to check |
|---|---|
| P0700 | The transmission computer requested the check engine light. Check: the other stored codes. |
| P0705 and P0706 | Multifunction switch (lever position), one of the most replaced parts on this transmission; on a Renault the "D" may flash. Check: adjustment, connector and switch. |
| P0710 to P0713 | Fluid temperature sensor, part of the internal harness. Check: harness and connector. |
| P0715 and P0717 | Turbine speed sensor. Check: sensor and connector. |
| P0720 and P0722 | Output speed sensor. Check: sensor and connector. |
| P0730 to P0734 | Incorrect gear ratio: the transmission slips. Check: fluid, E1 rings, E2 bushing, clutches and bands. |
| P0740 to P0744 | Torque converter clutch (lockup). Check: the lockup solenoid, which is the same part as the pressure solenoid. |
| P0745 to P0748 | Pressure control solenoid. Check: solenoid, seals and connector. |
| P0750 to P0773 | Shift solenoids. Check: harness and solenoids; if the bore is deeper, the bolt doesn't clamp it and pressure leaks. |
| P0840 and P0841 | Fluid pressure sensor; Renault may show it as DTC084146. Check: the sensor wiring, the sensor and, if it persists, pressure regulator valve wear. |
| P0218 | Transmission overheating. Check: fluid level, cooler and driving style. |
| DF012 (Renault scan tool) | Solenoid supply voltage. Check: a shorted solenoid or, on a Renault, the harness pinched by the transmission mount. |
veinte07 explains codes P0706, P0841 and P0218 in detail (in Spanish).
What fluid does the DP0 or AL4 take?
Renault's DP0 doesn't take Dexron III, as many sources say: the catalog of Elf, the brand Renault recommends, approves Renaultmatic D3 Syn for the DP0. For Peugeot's AL4, use the fluid Peugeot specifies. Renault Mexico's manuals give no dipstick check: per shops, the level is checked at a plug, with the fluid at the temperature the manufacturer specifies, read with a scan tool. And on Peugeots, per shops, the computer keeps a fluid-ageing counter that must be reset with a scan tool after a fluid change.
See TSS parts for the DP0 and AL4
TSS parts for the DP0 and AL4
The TSS catalog has parts for this transmission (we explain the difference between the Rojo and Dorado kits in TSS Rojo vs Dorado overhaul kits):
- Electronics: pressure and lock-up solenoid, shift solenoid, oil pressure sensor and multifunction (TR) switch.
- Overhaul: Rojo overhaul kit, TSS friction plates, piston kit, band and F2 and F3 servo pistons.
- Pump and bushings: bushing kit, pump bushing and pump seal.
- Filter and cooling: filter and TSS transmission cooler.
TSS has no speed sensors, internal harness or sealing rings for this unit. Confirm the model and year before ordering. In Mexico, PROFECO has no alerts for this transmission on Renault or Peugeot (we checked on October 24, 2026). To buy online in the US, Sun Transmissions has a DPO collection.
TSS is an aftermarket brand with OEM-comparable quality and quality control on every product. It's sold through our authorized distributors: in Mexico, the full TSS catalog is at Transmisiones Veinte 07, and in the United States at Sun Transmissions.
