2012 DS DS 4 problems
The 2012 DS DS 4 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 1.6 THP and the 1.6 HDi. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 1.6 HDi (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as steering wheel vibrations and uneven tyre wear caused by the front axle.
2012 DS DS 4 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 15 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine3.8From 3.6 to 4.1 depending on the engine
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension8.61 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes8.21 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Tyres and wheels7.91 fault
- Steering8.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system9.31 fault
- Headlights and lights6.9Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.3 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment9.31 fault
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.3Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2011 DS DS 4
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2011.
1.6 THP engine in the 2012 DS DS 4
Names: THP 155 · THP 163 · THP 200
- With caution
1.6 THP medium output (EP6DT/EP6DTS/EP6CDT, N14/N18; 140-190 hp)
140–190 hp · EP6DT, EP6DTS, EP6CDT, N14, N18
Real risk of stretching of the timing chain and tensioner on pre-2012 units, which can be checked by listening to the engine cold and reviewing the service history; it also shares the oil consumption and the high-pressure pump failures documented across the whole turbo family.[2][3][4]
- With caution
1.6 THP high performance (EP6CDXD/EP6FDTR/EP6CDTR, John Cooper Works N14/N18; 200-270 hp)
200–270 hp · EP6CDXD, EP6FDTR, EP6CDTR, N14, N18
It shares with the rest of the turbo family the chain risk on pre-2012 units, the oil consumption and the high-pressure pump failures; as the highest-output versions, any cooling or lubrication defect is subjected to greater thermal stress.[2][3][5]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)Yes: on the turbo versions of the 1.6 THP, built mostly before 2012, the timing chain and its tensioner wear out prematurely; if the chain jumps teeth, the engine can go out of time or seize. BMW, co-designer of the block, issued a technical bulletin on this fault in 2013.
- High severityFrequency: CommonCoolingFragile water pump and heat exchangerYes: both the naturally aspirated 1.6 VTi and the turbo 1.6 THP share, according to fiches-auto.fr, a water pump and a heat exchanger described as fragile; in the most serious cases, the resulting overheating has gone as far as damaging the cylinder head.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionHigh-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versionsThe high-pressure pump that feeds the direct injection of the turbo (THP) versions can fail. MINI, which uses the same block in the Cooper S, extended the warranty on this part in 2010 to 10 years or 192,000 km for 2007-2009 models in the US, without the need for a recall.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationOil consumption on the turbo versionsYes: oil consumption between changes is one of the defects that the French motoring press repeatedly associates with the turbo versions of the 1.6 THP, used by Peugeot, Citroën and MINI. We have not found that PSA or BMW acknowledged a specific campaign or extended warranty for this reason.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionSpark plugs and ignition coils that wear out early on the 1.6 THPOn the 1.6 THP turbo a noticeable minority of owners replace spark plugs and coils earlier than expected: fiches-auto.fr records ignition warnings in 12% of opinions on the 200 hp THP. It causes judder and the engine warning light.
1.6 HDi engine in the 2012 DS DS 4
Names: 1.6 e-HDi 115 · 1.6 BlueHDi 120
- With caution
1.6 HDi / e-HDi 112/115 8V (DV6C, 2010-2015)
112–115 hp · DV6C, DV6CTED, 9HR
More reliable than the 16V engines on the turbo, but you need to check PSA's action on the belt (units from October 2010 to September 2011) and whether the 2011-2014 Continental injectors were replaced.[9][10]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentTimingTiming belt failure and premature wearOn the 8-valve 1.6 HDi/e-HDi 112/115 built between October 2010 and September 2011 the belt could break and leave the car stranded. PSA covered the repair and in 2014 preventively replaced the belt and crankshaft sprocket on those that had passed 120,000 km.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionLeaks at the injector washers and carbon build-up in the cylinder headIt is common for the copper washers of the 1.6 HDi injectors to stop sealing: the engine blows gases, carbon forms around the injector and soot gets into the oil. It is cheap to repair, but if left it contaminates the oil and is one of the causes of turbo failure.Repair (garage): €110–€310
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionJerking and injection faults on the 1.6 e-HDi 112/115 (Continental injectors)The 112 and 115 hp 1.6 HDi/e-HDi built between late 2011 and February 2014 can jerk and turn on the engine warning light because of an internal electrical defect in their Continental injectors. PSA covered their replacement depending on age and mileage.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlAdditive-fed particulate filter (Eolys cerine): depleted additive and cloggingThe DPF on the 1.6 HDi and BlueHDi works with an additive (cerine) that runs out at 80,000-120,000 km and has to be topped up for around €100-120 (price in Spain). With a lot of town use the filter clogs and the warning appears; if it is left, a new DPF costs around €1,500.Repair (garage): €100–€1,500Appears at around 80,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlDirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaksThe 1.6 HDi EGR valve gets dirty easily, especially in town use, and causes jerking and stalling at idle. On the 8V engines the EGR cooler also fails, consuming coolant with no visible leaks.
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 DS DS 4
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonTyres and wheelsSteering wheel vibrations and uneven tyre wear caused by the front axleThe DS4 profile records 47 mentions of vibrations and 13 of tyre wear: a steering wheel that vibrates between 110 and 140 km/h, a car that pulls to one side and front tyres worn out at 13,000 km because of a misaligned front axle.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareBrakesElectric parking brake faultSeveral testimonies in the DS4 profile describe problems with the electric or automatic handbrake going out of service, along with one case of a gear lever locked in P because of an electrical fault.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionPremature wear of the front shock absorbersThe DS4 profile records 20 mentions of suspension and shock absorbers, with front shock absorbers replaced at 70,000 and 105,000 km and noises from the front end on poor road surfaces.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemElectric window regulator failureThe DS4 profile records 17 mentions of window regulators, with cases such as a front window regulator out of service at 50,000 km and a window motor whose replacement cost one owner €650.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentTouchscreen and multimedia system faultThe DS4 profile records cases of a touchscreen that freezes or goes black with loss of sound, lost Bluetooth connection, a GPS antenna that failed at 48,000 km and a replaced on-board computer.
Buying a 2012 DS DS 4?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 DS DS 4 reliable?
The 2012 DS DS 4 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 1.6 THP and the 1.6 HDi. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 1.6 HDi (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as steering wheel vibrations and uneven tyre wear caused by the front axle.
Is the 2012 DS DS 4 better than the 2011?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2011 and 2012 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What is the best year for the DS DS 4?
According to our score, the best are 2018, 2017 and 2016 (5.6/10). The year with the worst score is 2014 (5.2/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 DS DS 4 have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012) (1.6 THP, critical severity), fragile water pump and heat exchanger (1.6 THP, high severity), timing belt failure and premature wear (1.6 HDi, high severity), high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions (1.6 THP, medium severity) and oil consumption on the turbo versions (1.6 THP, medium severity).
Own a 2012 DS DS 4? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Citroën DS4Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- BMW Recalls Fuel Pumps. Mini Does NotMotoringFile · Motoring press · published 27 October 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026
- Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ?L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Peugeot DV6CTED engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
- Motor Peugeot DV6FCTED: especificaciones y aplicacionesMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ? (1.6 HDi 112/115)L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 112 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French