Renault Clio II 1.2 16v 75 hp problems
The Renault Clio II used the 1.2 16v from 2001 to 2012 (1.2 16V 75). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “damaged head gasket and coolant loss” (high severity, occasional). Our verdict: “Buy”. It is the safest option among the documented engines of the Renault Clio II.
Engine score on this car
6.4 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Clio II. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Renault Clio II
6.2 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
1.2 16v
Safest optionRenault-Dacia 1.2 16v (D4F / D7F) · Petrol
- Name
- 1.2 16V 75
- Faults that affect it
- 5 · 1 of high or critical severity
Verdict for the version it uses
1.2 16v 75/76 (D4F, 2001-2020)2001–2020 · 75–76 hp · D4F 706, D4F 712, D4F 714, D4F 722, D4F 728, D4F 772, D4F 780
BuyThis is the version with the most data available and, overall, a good reputation: the reliability pages for the Clio II, Clio III, Kangoo I, Sandero I and II and Logan I and II document no catastrophic failures and no oil consumption; the most repeated issues (coils, sensors) are low-cost, and Caradisiac rates the reliability of the Twingo II with this engine as "excellent".[2][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Faults that affect the Clio II
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockDamaged head gasket and coolant lossOn higher-mileage 1.2 16V engines, cases of a damaged head gasket are documented, with coolant loss and a risk of overheating; it appears on the Clio II, the Kangoo I and the Dacia Sandero I, but not in the pages for the Clio III or the second generation of Logan and Sandero.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonIgnitionIgnition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light)The ignition coil is the engine fault that recurs most on the 1.2 16v: it appears independently on the Renault Clio II and Clio III, with misfires, jerking or the engine warning light coming on.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsProbe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)The 1.2 16V can fail because of specific probes or sensors, above all the crankshaft position sensor (TDC sensor) and the throttle body, with the engine warning light on or difficulty starting. Documented on the Clio II, Clio III and Kangoo I.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming belt: preventive maintenance and the odd failureThe 1.2 16v has a timing belt (not a chain), a wear part that has to be changed as preventive maintenance. Documented failure cases are a minority: under 4% of the owner reports analysed on the Clio II and Clio III.
- Low severityFrequency: RareLubricationOil consumption (no documented pattern on this engine)Unlike other small direct-injection turbo engines, the reliability pages consulted for the 1.2 16v (Clio II and III, Kangoo I, Twingo II, Logan I and II, Sandero I and II) document no pattern of excessive oil consumption.
What to check before buying a used Renault Clio II 1.2 16v 75 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 16v (2001–2012)
Damaged head gasket and coolant loss
High severityIgnition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light)
Medium severityProbe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)
Medium severityTiming belt: preventive maintenance and the odd failure
Medium severityOther engines and gearboxes of the Renault Clio II
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
- 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT2000–2012 · 2 faultsCritical severity7.9 out of 10
- AL4 / DP0 gearbox1998–2012 · 2 faultsHigh severity7.5 out of 10
- 1.4 and 1.6 8v1998–2012 · 4 faultsHigh severity6.2 out of 10
- 1.4 and 1.6 16v1998–2012 · 6 faultsHigh severity5.5 out of 10
- 1.5 dCi2001–2012 · 7 faultsCritical severity3.7 out of 10
Faults of the Renault Clio II outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonElectrical systemFailures of the electric windows and central lockingOn the Clio II the cables, guides and motors of the electric windows wear out and damp corrodes the connectors, which can also affect the central locking and the rear lights through faulty earths.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesSeizing of the rear drum brakes and leaking wheel cylindersOn the Clio II the rear drum brakes can seize or the shoes can come unstuck, and the wheel cylinders leak, leaving a wheel permanently braking, with overheating and higher fuel consumption.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSteeringLeaks and play in the power steeringThe Clio II's power steering can lose pressure through a leak in the pump, the hose or the steering rack, which makes manoeuvring heavier, along with play in the axial joints and track rod ends.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchWear of the manual gearbox and clutchThe Clio II's manual gearbox can become stiff and noisy because of wear in the bearings and synchronisers, while the clutch slips or fails to disengage fully when the cable or mechanism becomes fatigued.
- Low severityFrequency: CommonHeadlights and lightsClouding and yellowing of the headlightsThe polycarbonate plastic of the Clio II's headlights becomes cloudy and yellow over the years, reduces light spread and can end up causing problems at the MOT.
Buying a Renault Clio II 1.2 16v 75 hp?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Renault Clio II 1.2 16v 75 hp reliable?
The Renault Clio II used the 1.2 16v from 2001 to 2012 (1.2 16V 75). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “damaged head gasket and coolant loss” (high severity, occasional). Our verdict: “Buy”. It is the safest option among the documented engines of the Renault Clio II.
What faults does the Renault Clio II 1.2 16v 75 hp have?
The documented ones that affect this car are: damaged head gasket and coolant loss (high severity), ignition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light) (medium severity), probe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body) (medium severity), timing belt: preventive maintenance and the odd failure (medium severity) and oil consumption (no documented pattern on this engine) (low severity).
Which engine should you choose for the Renault Clio II?
The safest option is the 1.2 16v, with a «Buy» verdict.
Own a Renault Clio II 1.2 16v 75 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 ClioWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault KangooFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia LoganFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia SanderoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Maxi-fiche fiabilité : la Renault Twingo 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French