Problems with the timing chain on Dacia: affected models and engines

Reviewed on 27 September 2026How we work

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Dacia models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional0.9 TCeTiming chain or tensioner failureThe 0.9 TCe's timing chain tensioner can lose effectiveness over time. It is a minority of cases, but when the chain jumps the damage is serious: there is a documented case with a complete engine replacement at 80,000 km.
In Logan II and Sandero II
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 TCeTiming 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.
In Dokker, Duster I and Lodgy
- Low severityFrequency: Rare1.0 SCe (B4D)Chain-driven timing: no documented pattern of faultsUnlike engines with a timing belt, the 1.0 SCe barely records any mentions of the timing in the sources consulted: 1 case out of 117 combined reviews of the Sandero II, the Logan II and the Twingo III, with no further detail. It is not a fault that we can document as a pattern on this engine.
In Logan II and Sandero II
- Low severityFrequency: Rare1.6 16v HR16DE / H4MNo documented pattern of chain, catalytic converter or coil failuresUnlike other turbo engines from the same alliance, the sources consulted do not document a pattern of timing chain, catalytic converter or ignition coil failures for this naturally aspirated block: across more than 100 combined accounts, these sections appear empty or, at most, with an isolated case.
In Duster II

By Dacia model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Parts for your Dacia for faults with the timing chain

Add the model and engine in the shop, or better still the registration plate or VIN, to see only the parts that fit.

Timing chain kit
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Frequently asked questions

What faults with the timing chain do Dacia cars have?

In 6 models from Dacia there are 4 documented faults with the timing chain. The most important: timing chain or tensioner failure, timing chain stretch and breakage and chain-driven timing: no documented pattern of faults. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Dacia models have the most problems with the timing chain?

Dacia Logan II (2 faults), Dacia Sandero II (2 faults), Dacia Duster I (1 fault) and Dacia Dokker (1 fault).

Which Dacia engines have faults with the timing chain?

0.9 TCe (1 fault), 1.0 SCe (B4D) (1 fault), 1.2 TCe (1 fault) and 1.6 16v HR16DE / H4M (1 fault).