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Captur I
1.2 TCe

Renault Captur I 1.2 TCe 120 hp problems

The Renault Captur I used the 1.2 TCe from 2013 to 2018 (TCe 120 EDC). 2 documented faults affect it; the most important is “excessive oil consumption and engine failure” (critical severity, common). Our verdict depends on the version: “Buy” for 1.2 TCe 100-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built from mid-2016); “With caution” for 1.2 TCe 115-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built up to mid-2016). Among the documented engines of the Renault Captur I, the safest option is the 1.5 dCi.

Renault Captur I (2013–2019) — Photo: LuvsMG481 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.

Engine score on this car

4.6 out of 10Low reliability

Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Captur I. How we calculate it

Overall score for the Renault Captur I

6.0 out of 10Acceptable reliability

Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown

Reviewed on 30 October 202611 sources How we work

1.2 TCe

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

In the Captur I: 2013–2018^[1][2][3]
Name: TCe 120 EDC
Faults that affect it: 2 · all of high or critical severity

Risk index on this car

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.^[4][5][6]
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.^[4][7]

Faults that affect the Captur I

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
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.

All versions and faults of the 1.2 TCe

The Renault Captur by year

Which engines were sold each year and which faults affect the cars of that year.

2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018

What to check before buying a used Renault Captur I 1.2 TCe 120 hp

Each point comes from a documented fault that affects this car. You can tick them off as you inspect it.

If it has the 1.2 TCe (2013–2018)

Excessive oil consumption and engine failure

Critical severity

Check the engine's build date on its identification plate (the handbook shows where it is): the problem is concentrated in engines built up to May-July 2016.^[4][6][8]
On a Nissan, check the chassis number: the technical note covers Juke SJN*E*F15U700001 to 7210197, Qashqai SJN*E*J11U1000001 to 1572966 and Pulsar VSK*D*C13U0000001 to 00665235.^[5]
Ask for the maintenance invoices and those for the reprogramming, ring replacement or engine replacement, if any were done.^[4][9]
Ask for a compression test: if the difference between cylinders exceeds 25%, the Renault network replaces the short block or the complete engine.^[4]
Check the dipstick and the exhaust: a low level or bluish smoke are warning signs.^[8][10]
If you can, monitor consumption over 1,000 km: the Renault and Dacia network considers more than 0.5 litres per 1,000 km abnormal.^[4]

Timing chain stretch and breakage

High severity

Listen to the engine on a cold start and at idle: a metallic noise from the timing is a reason to ask for a check before buying.^[4][5]
Ask for a compression test: with less than a 25% difference between cylinders, the network only changes the tensioner; above that, it replaces the short block or the engine.^[4]
Check the oil level and ask about consumption: the chain suffers when the engine runs low on oil.^[4]
Do not expect an invoice for periodic chain replacement, because the maintenance schedule does not include it; do ask for any for a tensioner or chain repair.^[11]

Other engines and gearboxes of the Renault Captur I

Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.

1.5 dCi2013–2019 · 4 faultsHigh severity6.8 out of 10
EDC gearbox2013–2019 · 4 faultsHigh severity6.2 out of 10
0.9 TCe2013–2019 · 5 faultsCritical severity5.1 out of 10

Faults of the Renault Captur I outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.

High severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchEDC automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox faultsYes: a public complaint to the OCU (the Spanish consumer organisation) and several owners document that the Captur's EDC dual-clutch gearbox can show the "check gearbox" warning and lose reverse and the even-numbered gears, with repairs ranging from around €1,000 up to complete replacement of the gearbox (prices in Spain).Repair: €1,000–€5,600
High severityFrequency: RareBrakesRisk of front brake hose deterioration (recall)Renault recalled Captur cars built between 1 January 2013 and 7 November 2014 over a risk of deterioration of the front brake hose that could affect braking effectiveness. The inspection and, where applicable, replacement of the part were free of charge.Repair: €0
Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentR-Link multimedia system freezes and faultsYes: the model's own history records reliability problems with the R-Link system on the first Captur cars (2013-2015) that Renault said it had fixed, but owner forums continue to document screen freezes, lost maps and restarts several years later.

Buying a Renault Captur I 1.2 TCe 120 hp?

Check the history before buyingMileage, inspection record (ITV in Spain), outstanding finance and accidents for the car you are interested in, from the registration number or the VIN.Request a report

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

The 1.2 TCe in other cars

Renault Clio IV
Renault Kadjar
Renault Kangoo II
Renault Mégane III
Renault Mégane IV
Renault Scénic III
Renault Scénic IV
Dacia Dokker
Dacia Duster I
Dacia Duster II
Dacia Lodgy
Mercedes-Benz Citan W415
Nissan Juke I
Nissan Pulsar
Nissan Qashqai II

What are you noticing on your Renault Captur I?

Choose what you notice and we will tell you which faults of this car cause it.

Gearbox warning4
Uses oil3
Less power3
Jerking3
Vibrations2
Slipping clutch2
Engine warning light2
Gearbox noise2
Gears will not engage2
Judder when pulling away2
Chain noise2
Limp mode2

Renault Captur I warning lights: what each light means

The Renault Captur I has one documented recall or campaign. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you

Frequently asked questions

Is the Renault Captur I 1.2 TCe 120 hp reliable?

What faults does the Renault Captur I 1.2 TCe 120 hp have?

The documented ones that affect this car are: excessive oil consumption and engine failure (critical severity) and timing chain stretch and breakage (high severity).

Which engine should you choose for the Renault Captur I?

The safest option is the 1.5 dCi in its 1.5 dCi Energy Euro 6 with NOx trap (90 and 110 hp, 2015-2018) version, with a «Buy» verdict.

Own a Renault Captur I 1.2 TCe 120 hp? 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.

Renault Captur, presentación en Francia: dCi 90 y TCe 120 EDC, a pruebaDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 7 May 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Casse moteur Renault 1.2 TCe : 107 000 Renault concernéesL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 March 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
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
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
Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
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
Moteur 1.2 Renault - Les constructeurs minimisentUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 31 July 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Petición afectados motores defectuosos RenaultOCU · Consumer association · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault Mégane 1.2 TCe: ¿cuánto cuesta su mantenimiento?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 20 July 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish