Renault Clio IV 1.2 16v 75 hp problems
The Renault Clio IV used the 1.2 16v from 2012 to 2019 (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”. Among the documented engines of the Renault Clio IV, the safest option is the 1.5 dCi.
Engine score on this car
6.4 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Clio IV. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Renault Clio IV
6.0 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
Renault-Dacia 1.2 16v (D4F / D7F) · Petrol
- In the Clio IV
- 2012–2019[1]
- 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][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Faults that affect the Clio IV
- 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 IV 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 (2012–2019)
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 IV
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the Renault Clio IV outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchClutch pedal that loses travel and, in isolated cases, manual gearbox failureFiches-auto.fr records a Clio IV 1.5 dCi 90 whose clutch pedal went 'to the floor' at 35,000 km and another 1.5 dCi 75 that needed its manual gearbox replaced at 40,000 km. Caradisiac adds a clutch pedal that starts to squeak and a clutch that slips on a high-mileage car.Appears at around 35,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesAbnormal front brake wear and seized rear drumsFiches-auto.fr documents front discs and pads wearing abnormally on a Clio IV 1.5 dCi 90 with 42,000 km, and Caradisiac records rear brake drums that seize up after a short time in use on a 2017 1.5 dCi 110.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesRecall for front brake hoses and rear pistonsIn 2014 Renault recalled the early-production Clio IVs because the front brake hoses could rub and the rear pistons could come loose under extreme loads. It is a preventive recall that has already been corrected at the workshop.
- Low severityFrequency: CommonElectronics and infotainmentR-Link/Médianav infotainment system that freezes or loses BluetoothFiches-auto.fr describes an R-Link/Médianav system that 'freezes' and unstable Bluetooth as a common complaint among Clio IV owners, and Caradisiac documents a case of a completely failed Médianav screen ('fatal error') on a 1.5 dCi 90 with 210,000 km.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionFront suspension noises when cold and rear suspension noises with useFiches-auto.fr records creaking in the front suspension in cold weather on a Clio IV 1.5 dCi 90 with 42,000 km, and Caradisiac describes the rear suspension starting to squeak with use on a 2017 1.5 dCi 110 with 65,000 km.Appears at around 42,000 km
Buying a Renault Clio IV 1.2 16v 75 hp?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
The Renault Clio IV has one documented recall or campaign. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the Renault Clio IV 1.2 16v 75 hp reliable?
The Renault Clio IV used the 1.2 16v from 2012 to 2019 (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”. Among the documented engines of the Renault Clio IV, the safest option is the 1.5 dCi.
What faults does the Renault Clio IV 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 IV?
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 Clio IV 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.
- Moteur D RenaultWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- 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