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Dacia carsAlso sold as Renault Duster (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Peru and Ecuador)

Dacia Duster I problems (2010–2017)

All 3 engines of the Dacia Duster I that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the 1.5 dCi, the 1.2 TCe and the 1.4 and 1.6 16v. The safest option is the 1.4 and 1.6 16v, with a «Buy» verdict.[1][2]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the Duster I stands out for a clutch that slips when cold on the 1.5 dCi diesel, steering wheel vibrations from 110 km/h caused by wheel imbalance, ABS/ESP and fuel warning lights that misbehave for no clear reason, and thin paint that chips with gravel. These are known issues, generally of moderate cost, with no significant recalls found in Europe for this generation.[2][3][4][5]

Dacia Duster I (2010–2017)
Photo: Nacho from Oviedo, España · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468106.0out of 10

Dacia Duster I rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 17 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Engine5.0From 3.7 to 6.6 depending on the engine
  • Gearbox7.91 fault
  • Suspension8.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes7.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.1 times the defects normal for its age
  • Tyres and wheels8.91 fault
  • Steering8.61 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights6.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.3 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment9.31 fault
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior8.61 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

Ranked 22 of 35 among the Small SUVs with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Dacia Duster I

  1. 1Critical severity: Wear and seizure of the big-end bearings1.5 dCi engine
  2. 2Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure1.2 TCe engine · repair €5,000–€10,000
  3. 3Critical severity: Premature timing belt failure1.5 dCi engine
  4. 4High severity: Delphi high-pressure pump that sheds filings and damages the injection1.5 dCi engine
  5. 5High severity: Premature turbo failure and intake hoses that come loose1.5 dCi engine

Documented engines, from highest to lowest risk

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

29 sourcesHow we work

1.5 dCi

Renault 1.5 dCi (K9K) · Diesel

In the Duster I
2010–2017[4][6][7]
Names
1.5 dCi 85 · 1.5 dCi 90 · 1.5 dCi 110
Faults that affect it
6 · 4 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
63
High risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 1.5 dCi Euro 4 (68/70, 85/86 and 105/106 hp, 2005-2010)2005–2010 · 68–106 hp · K9K 712, K9K 714, K9K 728, K9K 732, K9K 764, K9K 766, K9K 772, K9K 792, K9K 796, K9K 802, K9K 830

    With caution

    Worth buying with a complete maintenance history and proof of repairs: the 85 hp carries the Delphi pump, and the 105 hp adds big-end bearings, a dual-mass flywheel and, on the Mégane III and Scénic III up to late 2010, a risk of belt failure.[6][8][9][10]

  • 1.5 dCi Euro 5 with particulate filter (75, 90, 95 and 110 hp, 2010-2015)2010–2015 · 75–110 hp · K9K 608, K9K 609, K9K 656, K9K 770, K9K 832, K9K 836, K9K 837, K9K 846, K9K 892, K9K 896

    With caution

    The 90 hp has an excellent record. On the 110 hp it is worth checking the turbo, the injectors and, on the first units with a DPF, the condition of the filter; on a 2010 Scénic III, check the belt change. Caradisiac considers the engine fully sorted from 2012.[6][10][11]

Faults that affect the Duster I

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 1.5 dCi has 8 documented faults in total.

  1. Critical severityFrequency: CommonLubricationWear and seizure of the big-end bearingsThe Euro 3 and Euro 4 1.5 dCi engines (approx. 2001-2010), especially the 100 and 105/106 hp, have fragile big-end bearings that can seize and wreck the engine. Renault went as far as paying up to 90% of the repair, with a limit of 7 years and 180,000 km.
  2. Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingPremature timing belt failureOn the 85, 105 and 110 hp 1.5 dCi engines built up to late 2010, especially in the Mégane III and Scénic III, the timing belt could break early, sometimes before 50,000 km, and damage the engine. Renault opened a workshop action in 2013.
  3. High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionDelphi high-pressure pump that sheds filings and damages the injectionOn the first 1.5 dCi engines (up to approx. 2010), especially the versions with Delphi injection of 65, 70 and 85 hp, the high-pressure pump can shed iron filings that contaminate the whole circuit and destroy the injectors. The pump, injectors and rail all have to be replaced.Appears at around 60,000 km
  4. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboPremature turbo failure and intake hoses that come looseThe turbo on the 105 and 110 hp 1.5 dCi can fail early: Caradisiac documents it on the Clio III, Scénic III and Qashqai II, sometimes before 80,000 km. More common and cheaper is for a turbo intake hose to come loose or burst and the engine to lose power.
  5. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalClutchPremature dual-mass flywheel failure and clutch problemsThe 105 and 110 hp 1.5 dCi engines can break the dual-mass flywheel early, sometimes before 40,000 km. It warns you with vibrations at idle and metallic noises, and forces you to replace the clutch and flywheel assembly.Repair (garage): €700–€1,300
  6. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector and injector seal failuresThe 1.5 dCi injectors, or their seals, can fail early, especially on the 110 hp, causing rough running, jerking or hard starting. Replacing the affected injector is usually enough; Caradisiac still reports cases on the Kadjar and Duster II.

Duster I 1.5 dCi pageAll versions and faults of the 1.5 dCi

1.2 TCe

Renault-Nissan 1.2 TCe / 1.2 DIG-T (H5Ft / HRA2DDT) · Petrol

In the Duster I
2013–2017[12][13]
Name
TCe 125
Faults that affect it
2 · all of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
54
High risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 1.2 TCe 115-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built up to mid-2016)2012–2016 · 115–130 hp · H5Ft, HRA2DDT

    With caution

    It carries the piston ring sealing defect that can end in oil consumption and engine failure. Only worth considering with on-time maintenance invoices, proof of reprogramming or of a ring or engine replacement, good compression and normal oil consumption; Renault's assistance was limited to cars under 10 years old or 100,000 km.[14][15][16]

  • 1.2 TCe 100-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built from mid-2016)2016–2018 · 100–130 hp · H5Ft, HRA2DDT

    Buy

    According to L'argus, the defect affects engines built up to 11 May 2016 and later production carries the fix; we have not found independent sources documenting the same problem afterwards. As with any turbo engine, keep an eye on the oil level.[14][17]

Faults that affect the Duster I

  1. Critical severityFrequency: CommonLubricationExcessive oil consumption and engine failure1.2 TCe and 1.2 DIG-T engines built from 2012 to mid-2016 can burn more than 1 litre of oil per 1,000 km because the piston rings do not seal properly; carbon damages the valves and the engine can fail. There was no recall: the dealer network reprograms and replaces rings or the engine.Repair: €5,000–€10,000
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain stretch and breakageThe 1.2 TCe chain has no scheduled replacement, but in engines that burn oil the low level makes the camshaft phaser vibrate and the chain stretches until it becomes noisy or breaks. The dealer network replaces the tensioner if compression is good; if not, the short block or the engine.

Duster I 1.2 TCe pageAll versions and faults of the 1.2 TCe

1.4 and 1.6 16v

Safest option

Renault K4J / K4M 1.4 and 1.6 16v · Petrol

In the Duster I
2010–2017[2]
Name
1.6 16V 105
Faults that affect it
4 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
34
Moderate risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • It is the version with the fewest documented faults in the family: fiches-auto.fr describes it on the Dacia Duster as an "old but known" engine ("ancien mais connu"), without the oil consumption that does affect the brand's more modern turbo blocks, and with ignition coils in only 3-5% of testimonies compared with 20-50% for the European Renault versions.[1][2]

Faults that affect the Duster I

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 1.4 and 1.6 16v has 6 documented faults in total.

  1. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt breakage or premature failureThe K4J/K4M's timing belt is a dry type (not running in oil), but several sources document breakages before high mileage is reached, including one case in the Renault Laguna II with valve-to-piston contact. Sticking to the replacement interval is the best prevention.Appears at around 89,000 km
  2. Medium severityFrequency: CommonElectronicsCrankshaft position sensor failureThe crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for almost every generation with this engine, with hard cold starting, stalling or the car cutting out unexpectedly. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
  3. Low severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlFaulty lambda sensors on the 1.6 16V (K4M)The 1.6 16V K4M (Mégane I, Scénic I, Dacia Duster I) has documented lambda sensors that occasionally fail and trigger the engine warning light. They are replaced without touching the engine and it is not a serious fault.
  4. Low severityFrequency: RareLubricationOil consumption (no documented pattern on this engine)Unlike many modern turbo engines, the sources consulted for the K4J/K4M do not describe a pattern of excessive oil consumption in any of the cars or versions covered by this page.

Duster I 1.4 and 1.6 16v pageAll versions and faults of the 1.4 and 1.6 16v

Faults of the Dacia Duster I outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Dacia Duster I

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 2,981 inspections of 1,023 cars registered between 2010 and 2016, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 3.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 5.1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 5.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 5.1%.

    Average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2%.

    Average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 24.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 18.7%.

    More defects than average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.4%.

    Average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 5.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.3%.

    Many more defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 6.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.4%.

    More defects than average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 18.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 16.9%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Dacia Duster I

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 1.5 dCi (2010–2017)

Wear and seizure of the big-end bearings

Critical severity

Premature timing belt failure

Critical severity

Delphi high-pressure pump that sheds filings and damages the injection

High severity

Premature turbo failure and intake hoses that come loose

High severity

Premature dual-mass flywheel failure and clutch problems

Medium severity

Injector and injector seal failures

Medium severity

If it has the 1.2 TCe (2013–2017)

Excessive oil consumption and engine failure

Critical severity

Timing chain stretch and breakage

High severity

If it has the 1.4 and 1.6 16v (2010–2017)

Timing belt breakage or premature failure

High severity

Crankshaft position sensor failure

Medium severity

Faulty lambda sensors on the 1.6 16V (K4M)

Low severity

Oil consumption (no documented pattern on this engine)

Low severity

Wear parts for the Dacia Duster I

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Dacia Duster I reliable?

All 3 engines of the Dacia Duster I that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the 1.5 dCi, the 1.2 TCe and the 1.4 and 1.6 16v. The safest option is the 1.4 and 1.6 16v, with a «Buy» verdict. Outside the engine, the Duster I stands out for a clutch that slips when cold on the 1.5 dCi diesel, steering wheel vibrations from 110 km/h caused by wheel imbalance, ABS/ESP and fuel warning lights that misbehave for no clear reason, and thin paint that chips with gravel. These are known issues, generally of moderate cost, with no significant recalls found in Europe for this generation.

Which Dacia Duster I engine is the most reliable?

Among the 3 engines we have documented, the safest option is the 1.4 and 1.6 16v, with a «Buy» verdict. It is the version with the fewest documented faults in the family: fiches-auto.fr describes it on the Dacia Duster as an "old but known" engine ("ancien mais connu"), without the oil consumption that does affect the brand's more modern turbo blocks, and with ignition coils in only 3-5% of testimonies compared with 20-50% for the European Renault versions.[1][2]

What problems does the Dacia Duster I have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, the Duster I stands out for a clutch that slips when cold on the 1.5 dCi diesel, steering wheel vibrations from 110 km/h caused by wheel imbalance, ABS/ESP and fuel warning lights that misbehave for no clear reason, and thin paint that chips with gravel. These are known issues, generally of moderate cost, with no significant recalls found in Europe for this generation. The most important documented faults are: premature wear and cold slipping of the clutch (dCi engine) (gearbox and clutch, medium severity), steering wheel and wheel vibrations from 110 km/h (tyres and wheels, low severity), power steering pump failure (steering, medium severity) and ABS/ESP and handbrake warning lights coming on for no reason, and an erratic fuel gauge (electronics and infotainment, low severity).[2][3][4][5]

What faults does the Dacia Duster I have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: wear and seizure of the big-end bearings (1.5 dCi, critical severity), excessive oil consumption and engine failure (1.2 TCe, critical severity), premature timing belt failure (1.5 dCi, critical severity), delphi high-pressure pump that sheds filings and damages the injection (1.5 dCi, high severity) and premature turbo failure and intake hoses that come loose (1.5 dCi, high severity).

What is the best year to buy a Dacia Duster I?

According to our rating by year, the best is 2017 (7.4/10); the worst rated is 2010 (6.1/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Duster 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. VOS AVIS Dacia DusterCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Maxi-fiche fiabilité : que vaut le Dacia Duster en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité Dacia Duster : quel moteur, version, boîte de vitesses, année... choisir ?La Revue Automobile · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité du 1.5 dCiFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published 19 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  7. Renault K-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  8. Fiabilité Renault Clio 3 : que vaut le modèle en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 26 November 2012 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité Renault Mégane 3 : que vaut le modèle en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 25 November 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  10. Maxi-fiche fiabilité : que vaut le Renault Scénic 3 en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 2 February 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité du Nissan Qashqai 2 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 22 December 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  12. Dacia Duster 1.2 tCe, análisis de precios: ¿es un motor turbo de gasolina adecuado para el SUV low-cost?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 3 November 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Casse moteur Renault 1.2 TCe : 107 000 Renault concernéesL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 March 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  15. Renault 1.2 TCe et Nissan 1.2 DIG-T : des moteurs gourmands en huileL'argus · Motoring press · published 12 October 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  16. Problème moteur Renault-Dacia 1.2 TCe, Nissan 1.2 DIG-T et Mercedes - Vos questions, nos réponsesUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 24 May 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  17. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  18. Maxi-fiche occasion : que vaut le Renault Scénic 2 en seconde main ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 29 October 2014 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  19. Bruit de cliquetis - claquement : les causesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published 6 November 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  20. Pourquoi la pression d'huile chute ?Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published 11 March 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  21. A cuántos kilómetros se cambia la correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 14 May 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  22. Volante bimasa, averías y precio de sustituciónDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 3 November 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Fiabilité du Renault Captur : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 2 March 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  24. Moteur 1.2 Renault - 400 000 voitures en dangerUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 24 May 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  25. Moteur 1.2 Renault - Les constructeurs minimisentUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 31 July 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  26. Petición afectados motores defectuosos RenaultOCU · Consumer association · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  27. Renault Mégane 1.2 TCe: ¿cuánto cuesta su mantenimiento?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 20 July 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  28. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  29. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Laguna 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French