KNOWN FAULTS · Dacia
Dacia Sandero (II) common problems.
2012–2020 · Petrol / LPG / CNG / Diesel
Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.
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9 known faults with sources
Engines: 1.2 16V (D4F) (Petrol) · 1.0 SCe (B4D) (Petrol) · 0.9 TCe (H4Bt) (Petrol) · 1.2 16V / 0.9 TCe GLP (LPG / CNG) · 1.5 dCi (K9K) (Diesel)
Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.
TCe timing chain, light stalk and campaigns on the Sandero IIKnown weak points
- Engine / equipment
- Dacia Sandero II (petrol, LPG and diesel)
- Period mentioned
- 2012–2021
- Symptoms
- A TCe 90 and 100 chain that stretches early (serious failure) and higher oil consumption; valve-cover oil leaks and coils on the SCe 75; a failing light and indicator stalk; fuel gauge; at the roadworthiness test, suspension, lights, brakes, exhaust and oil leaks.
- Possible cause described
- The ADAC ranks it well for breakdowns. Recalls: airbags (several 2012–2013 batches), track rod (17/9–4/12/2015), brake caliper (2016), front hubs (2017) and driver airbag (2018).
- Check for the garage
- Listen to the chain when cold and measure consumption (TCe); check the campaigns by VIN; check the light stalk.
- 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.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.0 SCe (B4D) (Petrol) · 0.9 TCe (H4Bt) (Petrol) · 1.5 dCi (K9K) (Diesel)
Applies if: Only with a manual gearbox and built from October 2018 to February 2020.
Creaking when pressing the clutch caused by a non-conforming batch of slave cylindersTransmission
- Engine / equipment
- Dacia models with a manual gearbox
- Period mentioned
- 2018–2020
- Symptoms
- A creak or "crack" every time the clutch pedal is pressed; the gears engage normally.
- Possible cause described
- A non-conforming batch of clutch slave cylinders was fitted from 1/10/2018 to 7/1/2020 (TL4, TL6, TL8 and TLX gearboxes) or up to 10/2/2020 (JH3, JR5 and JXX). The Renault and Dacia technical note reported by L'argus says to replace it with a new part number, after comparing the noise with a recording from the brand. It is not a recall.
- Check for the garage
- Record the noise on your phone while pressing the clutch and show it to the garage, which compares it with the brand's recording before replacing the whole clutch.
- 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.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 0.9 TCe (H4Bt) (Petrol)
Stretched timing chain on the 0.9 and 1.2 TCeValve timing
- Engine / equipment
- 0.9 TCe (H4Bt) and 1.2 TCe (H5Ft) turbo petrol
- Period mentioned
- Approx. 2012–2020
- Symptoms
- Metallic chain rattle, especially when cold or at idle; engine light with a crankshaft–camshaft correlation code; in serious cases the chain jumps and damages the valves.
- Possible cause described
- The chain, meant to last the engine’s life, can stretch early; tensioners and plastic guides wear, and very long oil-change intervals speed up the wear.
- Check for the garage
- With any chain noise or a P0016 code, diagnose straight away: measure the stretch and check the tensioner and guides before the timing jumps. Shorten oil-change intervals.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote for the chain kit.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.5 dCi (K9K) (Diesel)
Applies if: Only the 1.5 Blue dCi built before 30/9/2019.
Constant whine in the cabin from the 1.5 Blue dCi fuel pumpFuel system
- Engine / equipment
- 1.5 Blue dCi (K9K) in Dacia models
- Period mentioned
- 2018–2019
- Symptoms
- A continuous high-pitched whine inside the car, like a computer fan, that does not change when accelerating.
- Possible cause described
- According to Dacia's note to its dealers reported by L'argus, the noise comes from the fuel pump, whose tank pump-and-sender module was badly designed. The supplier modified it and the new part has been fitted at the factory since 30/9/2019.
- Check for the garage
- Check that the noise does not change with engine speed and ask the garage to listen around the fuel tank before replacing the turbo or the fan.
- 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.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.5 dCi (K9K) (Diesel)
Applies if: Only the 1.5 Blue dCi built from 1/1/2019 to 31/7/2021.
AdBlue pump damaged by a non-conforming module sealExhaust and emissions (AdBlue)
- Engine / equipment
- 1.5 Blue dCi (K9K) in the Sandero II, Logan II, Duster II, Dokker and Lodgy
- Period mentioned
- 2019–2021
- Symptoms
- Engine and/or AdBlue warning light and a "refill AdBlue, no start in X km" message that keeps appearing even after refilling.
- Possible cause described
- The seal of the urea (AdBlue) pump module does not conform and ends up damaging the pump. It affects cars built from 1/1/2019 to 31/7/2021. Since June 2023, Dacia has run action 0E0K, which replaces the pump and its seal free of charge on cars under 5 years and 200,000 km, but only if the customer complains.
- Check for the garage
- If the warning stays after refilling AdBlue, do not wait for the countdown: ask the dealer for action 0E0K (urea pump and seal) before paying for other AdBlue repairs.
- 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.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.5 dCi (K9K) (Diesel)
Applies if: Only Euro 6b 1.5 dCi (not the later Blue dCi), if the symptoms began after the 2024 update.
Judder and flat spots when accelerating on Euro 6b 1.5 dCi and 1.6 dCi engines after the 2024 emissions updateExhaust and emissions
- Engine / equipment
- Renault and Dacia Euro 6b 1.5 dCi (K9K) and 1.6 dCi (R9M)
- Period mentioned
- Cars that received the NOx-reduction update of early 2024
- Symptoms
- After a visit to the dealer, flat spots when accelerating and judder at steady speeds; sometimes higher diesel consumption. On the Mégane IV and Kadjar the engine may start and then stall.
- Possible cause described
- In early 2024 Renault and Dacia updated these engines to cut nitrogen oxides (NOx) further. According to an internal Renault technical note from June 2024, updated in February 2025 and reported by L'argus, the flat spots and judder are mainly due to the new strategy widening the periods when the NOx trap is cleaned (regenerated); to do so the engine injects more diesel, which also explains the higher consumption.
- Check for the garage
- Ask a Renault or Dacia dealer for the new injection ECU reprogramming for these symptoms (Dacia has offered it since May 2024 and Renault since January 2025). It is not a recall with a letter: you have to ask for it. First have them rule out other causes (particulate filter, boost pressure sensor).
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate: the note does not say whether the reprogramming is free; ask the dealer.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.5 dCi (K9K) (Diesel)
Clogged particulate filter on the 1.5 dCiExhaust and emissions
- Engine / equipment
- 1.5 dCi (K9K) with particulate filter
- Period mentioned
- 2010 onwards
- Symptoms
- Particulate-filter or emissions warning, limp mode with loss of power and frequent regenerations.
- Possible cause described
- The filter clogs, especially on cars that mostly make short town trips and never complete a regeneration.
- Check for the garage
- Read the soot load with a diagnostic tool, run a forced regeneration at the garage and check the differential-pressure sensors and EGR. Make long road trips now and then.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; from a regeneration to replacing the filter.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.5 dCi (K9K) (Diesel)
EGR valve sticking with deposits on the 1.5 dCiExhaust and emissions
- Engine / equipment
- 1.5 dCi (K9K) with an electric EGR valve
- Period mentioned
- No specific period published
- Symptoms
- Uneven idle, jerks when accelerating, lack of power or the engine going into limp mode, sometimes with the engine warning light on.
- Possible cause described
- Soot and oil deposits leave the EGR valve stiff, stuck closed or not closing fully. According to Pierburg it is rarely a fault of the valve itself: the oil comes through the crankcase breather, a turbo with worn bearings or a blocked oil return, late oil changes or too high a level, and many short trips, above all in winter.
- Check for the garage
- At the workshop: read the codes with diagnostic equipment (EOBD P0400 to P0404 or P0172; Renault DF077, DF084 or DF241), test the valve electrically and its opening with the engine warm, and find where the oil comes from (breather, turbo, level). Pierburg advises against cleaning it, as it can be damaged: it is replaced if faulty, and an engine ECU update sometimes solves it.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the workshop for a quote for the EGR valve.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.5 dCi (K9K) (Diesel)
Applies if: Only if the injection pump is a Delphi (it says so on the pump): depending on the version, the 1.5 dCi has Delphi or Siemens/Continental.
Delphi injection on the 1.5 dCi: air in the fuel, metal swarf, regulator or injectorsInyección
- Engine / equipment
- 1.5 dCi (K9K) with Delphi common-rail injection
- Period mentioned
- No specific period published
- Symptoms
- Hard to start or will not start, stalls, loses power or jerks; sometimes air bubbles show in the clear fuel pipe.
- Possible cause described
- The usual faults of the K9K's Delphi system are air getting into the low-pressure circuit, metal swarf from the pump contaminating the whole system, the pump's inlet metering valve (IMV), injectors with too much return flow and the rail pressure sensor.
- Check for the garage
- At the workshop, in this order: look for air and leaks in the low-pressure circuit and prime it; check the fuel filter bowl for metal swarf (if there is any, the whole injection system is replaced); measure the rail pressure, the IMV regulator's resistance (4.8–5.8 Ω) and each injector's return flow (25 ml at most in the test). A new injector's code must be written into the ECU.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; it varies widely, from a filter or the regulator to the whole injection system.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines for this model
- 1.2 16V (D4F)Petrol
- 1.0 SCe (B4D)Petrol
- 0.9 TCe (H4Bt)Petrol
- 1.2 16V / 0.9 TCe GLPLPG / CNG
- 1.5 dCi (K9K)Diesel