Renault Twingo II 1.2 16v 75 and 76 hp problems
The Renault Twingo II used the 1.2 16v from 2007 to 2010 (1.2 16V 75 and 1.2 16V 76). 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 Twingo II.
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Engine score on this car
6.4 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Twingo II. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Renault Twingo II
5.8 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
- Names
- 1.2 16V 75 · 1.2 16V 76
- 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".[1][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Faults that affect the Twingo 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 Twingo II 1.2 16v 75 and 76 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 (2007–2010)
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 Twingo II
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the Renault Twingo II outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyDriver seat guide spring that comes loose (2008-2009 campaign)A 2009 campaign affected Twingo IIs built between 2008 and February 2009: the compensation spring of the driver seat guides can come out of position and leave the seat unlocked.Repair: €0
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchPremature wear of the clutch and its release bearingThere are owners with a worn-out clutch at 50,000 km because of the release bearing, and cases of a broken reverse gear cable at 80,000 km. These are fiches-auto.fr reports, with no official campaign.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemElectrical faults: faulty alternator and ABS systemThe reports cite an alternator failing at 22,000 km (€900 with no manufacturer cover) and an ABS fault at 18,000 km. These are isolated fiches-auto.fr cases, with no official campaign.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionWorn strut mounts, springs and ball jointsIn TÜV inspections the Twingo II fails above average for its suspension: worn strut mounts (upper bearing), broken springs and steering track rod ends with play.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesService brakes and brake lines deteriorated at inspectionAt the TÜV, the Twingo II fails more often than average for its service brakes and for brake lines in poor condition; the ADAC and Gebrauchtwagenberater.de also point to the brakes as a weak point of this generation.
Buying a Renault Twingo II 1.2 16v 75 and 76 hp?
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The Renault Twingo II has one documented recall or campaign. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the Renault Twingo II 1.2 16v 75 and 76 hp reliable?
The Renault Twingo II used the 1.2 16v from 2007 to 2010 (1.2 16V 75 and 1.2 16V 76). 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 Twingo II.
What faults does the Renault Twingo II 1.2 16v 75 and 76 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 Twingo II?
The safest option is the 1.2 16v, with a «Buy» verdict.
Own a Renault Twingo II 1.2 16v 75 and 76 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.
- Maxi-fiche fiabilité : la Renault Twingo 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- 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