Renegade Diesel: Dark Smoke Points to Filter Issues

I had a similar issue with my 2020 Jeep Compass diesel just last month. Having some experience with diesel engines, the symptoms you describe are classic signs of a problematic diesel particulate filter. My car started showing the same symptoms, reduced power, black smoke, and warning lights. Initially, my mechanic attempted forced regeneration to clear the filter, but it was unsuccessful. The diagnostic showed the filter was beyond regeneration due to excessive soot buildup, affecting fuel efficiency and engine performance. The complete filter replacement ended up costing 1550 Euro, including parts and labor. The repair took two days, mainly because they had to order the specific filter. The good news is that since the replacement, the engine runs perfectly, with no more power issues or smoke. Before suggesting a definitive solution for your case, could you provide: Any error codes from the warning light, Your typical driving pattern (city/highway split), When was your last successful regeneration cycle, Have you noticed increased fuel consumption lately The repair cost might vary depending on your specific model and local parts availability, but addressing this promptly is crucial to prevent potential engine damage.

Thanks for the helpful responses. After checking my service records, my last maintenance was at 35000km, just 2 months ago. A sensor fault reading shows error code P2002. The problem started with short city trips, where regeneration cycles were likely interrupted. My fuel efficiency dropped from 6.5L/100km to nearly 8L/100km in the past weeks. This matches the symptoms others described, and I will schedule a filter replacement check tomorrow rather than risk engine damage. Since my vehicle is still under warranty, I hope this will minimize repair costs.

Thanks for the update and the detailed information. Based on your error code P2002 and the fuel consumption data, this definitely confirms our similar DPF issues. The fact that you're getting the same sensor fault I had, combined with the notable drop in fuel efficiency, strongly suggests a clogged exhaust system. When my Compass showed these symptoms, the fuel consumption increase was one of the first red flags before the engine light appeared. The interrupted regeneration cycles from short trips are exactly what caused my filter to get clogged too. Good call on scheduling the check right away. Since your vehicle is still under warranty, you should be in a much better position than I was cost-wise. When they replaced my filter, they also checked all related sensors since a faulty sensor can sometimes trigger incomplete regeneration cycles. Make sure they document the fuel efficiency issues and sensor fault codes for your warranty claim. After my repair, fuel consumption returned to normal within about 2 tanks of fuel, and the engine power was immediately restored. Just a tip: after the repair, try to include more highway driving in your routine. This helps maintain proper exhaust system temperatures for complete regeneration cycles.

Thanks everyone for the advice. After taking my Renegade to the dealership, the diagnostic confirmed a heavily clogged DPF causing high backpressure in the exhaust system. They attempted forced regeneration first since the car is under warranty, but ultimately a filter replacement was needed. The dealer covered the parts and labor under warranty, and the repair took just over a day. They also provided guidance on driving patterns to prevent future DPF clogging. The engine light is now off, power has been restored, and fuel consumption is back to normal. For anyone facing similar issues, I recommend checking error codes and fuel consumption patterns early. The total repair would have been around 1800 Euro without warranty coverage, so catching these symptoms early is important. My service advisor mentioned filter replacements are common in vehicles doing mostly short trips where the exhaust system cant reach proper operating temperature. Good news is the car runs perfectly now. Will definitely include more highway driving to maintain proper DPF cleaning cycles.