KNOWN FAULTS · Dacia

Dacia Sandero (I) 1.4 / 1.6 MPI (K7J / K7M) common problems.

2008–2012 · Petrol

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

By what you notice

Jerking or losing power1 sheet

Noises or vibration1 sheet

Will not start or starts badly1 sheet

Losing coolant or overheating1 sheet

Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

Coils, thermostat, valve collets and front axle on the Sandero IKnown weak points

Engine / equipment: Dacia Sandero I (petrol, LPG and diesel)
Period mentioned: 2008–2012
Symptoms: On the 1.2, coils and coolant loss from the thermostat housing; door locks, rust at the filler neck, an early-wearing clutch, ignition switch, starter and battery; at the roadworthiness test, suspension, steering, drive shafts, lights, brakes and exhaust mounts.
Possible cause described: Recalls: 1.2 valve collets on cars built 17/9 to 30/11/2010 (possible engine damage) and an ABS warning lamp that could fail (26/5–12/11/2008). The 1.5 dCi may need injectors and a turbo at high mileage.
Check for the garage: Check both campaigns by VIN; watch the coolant; check the front axle, brakes and exhaust.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Misfires and an unstable idle on the 1.4/1.6 MPI (K7J/K7M): a cracked ignition coil and the idle stepper motorEngine

Engine / equipment: 1.4 MPI (K7J) and 1.6 MPI 8V (K7M), petrol or LPG: Dacia Logan I, Logan MCV I and Sandero I
Period mentioned: 2004–2013
Symptoms: The engine shakes or runs on three cylinders, above all in damp weather or when cold, and the OBD scan shows misfires; or the idle will not hold: the engine stays revving or stalls when you stop.
Possible cause described: According to the owners who answer on DailyDriven, the ignition coil cracks and stops sparking in damp weather (a 1.4, and a 1.6 that twice failed to start at 230,000 km), and the idle stepper motor (idle valve) fails: on one 1.4 it was replaced three times from about 35,000 km, and on another the engine stayed revving at 235,000 km. These are owner reports, not statistics.
Check for the garage: Read the codes with an OBD reader and check the coil for cracks, together with the spark plugs and leads; if the idle fails, clean or test the stepper motor before replacing other parts. On LPG cars a weak coil shows up first when running on gas.
Cost cited in the source: What DailyDriven owners paid: a coil, about 100 lei; a set of spark plug boots, 97 lei; cleaning the stepper motor, 50 lei of products. Amounts in lei from earlier years, not a current quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.