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Dacia Duster III problems (2024–today)

The only engine of the Dacia Duster III that we have documented, the E-Tech Híbrido, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «With caution».[1][2]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the Duster III is very recent and has three campaigns confirmed by Safety Gate (R107 connector, parking lock sensor, rear springs), as well as electronics and 12 V battery faults reported in testimonies. There are no figures for real failures.[3][4][5]

Dacia Duster III (2024–today)
Photo: Alexander-93 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468107.0out of 10

Dacia Duster III rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 7 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it has been on sale for less than 4 years, too little time for its faults to appear, so a score this high is not yet included in the rankings. How it is calculated

  • Engine8.62 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension7.91 fault
  • Brakes7.91 fault
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering10.0No documented faults
  • Electrical system6.82 faults
  • Headlights and lights10.0No documented faults
  • Electronics and infotainment9.31 fault
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior10.0No documented faults
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Dacia Duster III

  1. 1High severity: Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)E-Tech Híbrido engine
  2. 2Critical severity: Poorly secured R107 connector next to the pedals on the Duster IIIElectrical system
  3. 3High severity: Recall for the parking lock (P-lock) sensor on the Duster IIIBrakes
  4. 4High severity: Rear springs with incorrect dimensions on the Duster IIISuspension
  5. 5Medium severity: 12 V battery going flat or needing early replacementE-Tech Híbrido engine

Documented engine

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

3 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Campaign SR/01939/26: rear springs. See the campaigns for the Dacia Duster III

6 sourcesHow we work

E-Tech Híbrido

Renault-Dacia E-Tech Híbrido (H4M 1.6 and HR12 1.2 Turbo, caja multimodo) · Petrol

In the Duster III
since 2024[3][4]
Name
Hybrid 140
Faults that affect it
2 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
14
Low risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)since 2020 · 140–145 hp · H4M

    With caution

    The engine and battery have no documented internal faults, but the multi-mode gearbox shared by all E-Tech versions does have a frequent failure pattern across several models (see the gearbox fault); it is worth checking the campaign history before buying.[1][2]

Faults that affect the Duster III

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The E-Tech Híbrido has 4 documented faults in total.

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonTransmissionMulti-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)On the Clio, Captur, Arkana, Austral, Duster and Jogger with the E-Tech engine, reports describe a risk of the multi-mode gearbox breaking and being replaced. Renault has launched a campaign over a primary shaft seal fault (2020-January 2024, ~150,000 vehicles) that lets oil into the electric motor.
  2. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics12 V battery going flat or needing early replacementSeveral Clio, Arkana and Austral owners with the E-Tech engine document premature replacement of the 12 V auxiliary battery, in one case twice in the first year. It is not the most widespread fault of the system, but it appears repeatedly across different models.

Duster III E-Tech Híbrido pageAll versions and faults of the E-Tech Híbrido

Faults of the Dacia Duster III outside the engine

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

Checklist for buying a used Dacia Duster III

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 E-Tech Híbrido (since 2024)

Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)

High severity

12 V battery going flat or needing early replacement

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Dacia Duster III

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.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Dacia Duster III?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Own a Dacia Duster III? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Dacia Duster III reliable?

The only engine of the Dacia Duster III that we have documented, the E-Tech Híbrido, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «With caution». Outside the engine, the Duster III is very recent and has three campaigns confirmed by Safety Gate (R107 connector, parking lock sensor, rear springs), as well as electronics and 12 V battery faults reported in testimonies. There are no figures for real failures.

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

Outside the engine, the Duster III is very recent and has three campaigns confirmed by Safety Gate (R107 connector, parking lock sensor, rear springs), as well as electronics and 12 V battery faults reported in testimonies. There are no figures for real failures. The most important documented faults are: poorly secured R107 connector next to the pedals on the Duster III (electrical system, critical severity), recall for the parking lock (P-lock) sensor on the Duster III (brakes, high severity), rear springs with incorrect dimensions on the Duster III (suspension, high severity) and flat 12 V auxiliary battery immobilising the Duster III (electrical system, medium severity).[3][4][5]

What faults does the Dacia Duster III have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage) (E-Tech Híbrido, high severity) and 12 V battery going flat or needing early replacement (E-Tech Híbrido, medium severity).

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

According to our rating by year, the best is 2025 (8.7/10); the worst rated is 2024 (7.2/10). 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.

Does the Dacia Duster III have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 3 campaigns for the Dacia Duster III, such as campaign SR/01939/26: rear springs (2026). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[3][5]

Sources

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

  1. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Tous les problèmes sur Dacia Duster 3 2024fiches-auto.fr · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  4. Dacia Duster IIIWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  5. Dacia Duster Recalls in EU (alertas del sistema Safety Gate)car-recalls.eu · Recall database · consulted 29 October 2026
  6. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault AustralFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French