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HR12DEHR12DDR

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) engine: faults and reliability

Nissan 1.2 tricilíndrico: HR12DE atmosférico and HR12DDR DIG-S con compresor · Nissan

Nissan's three-cylinder 1.2 (80 hp naturally aspirated or 98 hp DIG-S with supercharger) has a reputation for simplicity and durability. The only documented item is a recall over the ignition coil on DIG-S units built between 2015 and 2016; the CVT gearbox is a separate matter.[1][2][3]

Risk index
14
Low risk · what it is
Documented faults
1
0 of high or critical severity
Timing
Chain
Technical data[4][5][6]
Production
2010–2017
2 models on this site

9 sourcesHow we work

Which 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) versions should you buy?

Our verdict for each version, based on the documented faults.

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

Known faults of the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

Sorted from most to least important (severity × frequency).

  1. 1Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionShort-circuited ignition coil: the engine stalls and will not restartIn Micra and Note 1.2 DIG-S built between July 2015 and January 2016, a short circuit in the ignition coil could blow a fuse and stop the engine, which would then not restart. Nissan notified owners and the remedy is a new coil.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

By part

Compare each fault with the same part on other engines: symptoms, cost and affected models.

Symptoms of these faults

What the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) is

The HR12DE is a 1,198 cc three-cylinder with double overhead camshafts, variable valve timing and multipoint injection, producing 80 hp and 108 Nm. It is the first three-cylinder in the Micra range. Its HR12DDR variant, sold in Europe as the DIG-S, adds direct injection, a mechanical supercharger and Miller cycle (13:1 compression) and reaches 98 hp, with a timing chain.[4][6]

In Europe it was fitted to the fourth-generation Nissan Micra (K13, 2010-2017) and the second-generation Nissan Note (E12, from 2013). The DIG-S was presented in late 2011 in the Micra, as a low-consumption, low-emissions alternative to Fiat's TwinAir: Nissan announced 4.1 l/100 km with the manual gearbox and under 100 g/km of CO2.[5][6][9]

The press treats it as an engine with no weaknesses of its own: a Polish article describes it as simple, durable and cheap to maintain, and a German buyer's guide recommends the DIG-S and mentions dirty injectors as a typical issue for small petrol engines. The most cited faults on both models lie outside the engine, mainly in the CVT gearbox, which has its own page.[1][2]

Manufacturer
Nissan Motor Co.
Family
Familia HR (Nissan)
Fuel
Petrol
Displacement
1,198 cm³
Cylinders
3
Fuel system
Naturally aspirated
Injection
Indirect injection
Timing
Chain
Power
80–98 hp
Peak torque
143 Nm
Production
2010–2017
Makes
Nissan

Technical data[4][5][6]

What changed between versions

  1. 2010–2017

    1.2 HR12DE 80 hp (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2010-2017)

    Naturally aspirated three-cylinder of 1,198 cc with multipoint injection, 80 hp and 108 Nm; it is the entry-level version of the Micra K13 from 2010 and of the Note from 2013.[4][6]

  2. 2011–2017

    1.2 DIG-S HR12DDR 98 hp with supercharger (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2011-2017)

    Adds direct injection, a two-rotor mechanical supercharger and Miller cycle (13:1 compression) on the same block, with 98 hp and between 142 and 143 Nm. Presented in late 2011 in the Micra.[4][5][9]

Cars fitted with the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

2 models sold in Spain. Open each one to see all their faults and the buying checklist.

Nissan

Compare the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

Are you buying a car with the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)?

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

Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which faults you have had, at how many kilometres and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Nissan Micra K13: bezawaryjne auto miejskieOtomoto · Motoring press · published 30 October 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
  2. Nissan Micra (K12, K13, K14): Probleme, Schwachstellen und Krankheitencarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  3. Nissan Note: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Nissan HR engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  5. Nissan MicraWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  6. Nissan NoteWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  7. Nissan Micra (K13/E12): el motor se apaga estando en funcionamientoHELLA · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Il motore si spegne improvvisamente anche durante la marcia (Nissan Micra K13)Carpedia · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
  9. Nissan Micra 1.2 DIG-S, presentación y prueba en BerlínMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 18 July 2011 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish