Dacia Spring (2021–today)Gearbox and clutch
Hard knocks from the driveline when accelerating and lifting off the throttle in the Dacia Spring
Why this rating?
Medium severity: It can leave you stranded or get worse if ignored, without destroying the engine.
Frequency occasional: At least four of 73 reports on fiches-auto.fr (around 5%) and two owners with detail on CarWiki; one of them claims it affects hundreds of cars in the EU, a figure we have not been able to verify. With two independent sources that agree, but no fleet data or manufacturer acknowledgement, we rate it as ‘occasional’. ADAC includes the Spring among the best micro cars in its class in its 2026 statistics on breakdowns attended by roadside assistance; that measures roadside stops of cars aged 2 to 9 years and does not record noises or comfort faults.[1][2][3]
Symptoms
Why it happens
No source identifies the cause with certainty. The fiches-auto.fr entry generally cites play in a universal joint, in a motor and reduction gear mount or in a connecting part as a possible source of this type of noise in an electric car. On CarWiki, an owner says that changing the oil did not help and the brand told him to remove the driveshafts and re-bond them with adhesive, which lasted about 2 km in the test.[1][2]
If it is not repaired: In the cases described the car keeps running, but the noise increases with mileage; in CarWiki's most detailed case, neither the oil change nor the repair proposed by the brand eliminated it, and the owner adds that the replacement car had the same noise.[2]
Affected years and cars
The sources do not distinguish production years; CarWiki's most detailed case is a Comfort Plus registered in May 2022, and almost all fiches-auto.fr reports concern the Electric 45. None clarifies whether the origin lies in the driveshafts, the reduction gear or a mount.[1][2]
All faults of the Dacia Spring by affected year
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Diagnosis of the transmission and, if required, replacement of driveshafts or connecting parts.[2]
No source publishes a cost for Spain; before paying, check your unit's current warranty.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 30 October 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Is it dangerous to drive with that noise?
The sources do not describe accidents or immobilisations caused by this noise, but there is no definitive diagnosis either, so it should be checked by the official dealer service.[1][2]
Is it covered by the warranty?
It depends: a CarWiki owner says the dealership considered the behaviour ‘state of the art’ and that this ruled out repair under warranty; it is worth asking for the diagnosis in writing.[2]
Does it affect the Electric 65?
The sources do not distinguish versions: the fiches-auto.fr reports almost all come from the Electric 45 (68 of 73).[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other faults of the Dacia Spring
- Critical severityFrequency: RareAirbags and safetyCampaign for the rear right seat belt retractor (built April to October 2022)Dacia issued a recall in November 2022 for Spring cars built between April and October of that year because the rear right seat belt retractor could malfunction, which reduces its restraining capacity in an accident.
- High severityFrequency: RareBrakesOccasional loss of braking force (vacuum pump relay)Two sources record cases of brake loss on the Spring: at least three fiches-auto.fr reports (one with the vacuum pump relay flagged) and a CarWiki owner whose problem recurred after that relay was replaced. These are isolated cases.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentUnstable on-board electronics: frozen central screen, multiple warning lights10 of the 73 reports collected by fiches-auto.fr on the Spring describe unstable control units or on-board equipment, with the central screen frozen or several warning lights on at once for no apparent reason.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorFragile paintwork and premature corrosion9 of the 73 reports collected by fiches-auto.fr on the Spring mention fragile paintwork, with chipping or bubbling, and several cases of premature bodywork corrosion.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalClimate controlHeating and air conditioning that fail or work intermittentlyAt least five fiches-auto.fr reports describe heating that works intermittently or fails, or air conditioning that stops cooling in hot weather; a CarWiki reader says Renault attributed the fault to programming and promised to correct it.
The faults of its engines are on the Dacia Spring page.
Have you had this fault? Your case helps other owners know when it appears and how much it costs. Report your fault in 2 minutes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Tous les problèmes sur Dacia Spring 2021 (73 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Dacia Spring Probleme | Mängel, Krankheiten & SchwachstellenCarWiki.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
- ADAC Pannenstatistik 2026: Pkw werden immer zuverlässigerADAC · Reliability study · published 23 April 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German