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Emergency

Before you buy a used Dacia Sandero (II).

2012–2020 · Petrol / LPG / CNG / Diesel · 5 engines

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

Dacia Sandero (II), real photo of this generation
Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

All versions

Sheets the catalogue links to all 5 of its engines.

1.2 16V (D4F) · 1.2 16V / 0.9 TCe GLP

1.2 16V (D4F) (Petrol) · 1.2 16V / 0.9 TCe GLP (LPG / CNG)

We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.

1.0 SCe (B4D)

Petrol

0.9 TCe (H4Bt)

Petrol

These also apply, described above: Creaking when pressing the clutch caused by a non-conforming batch of slave cylinders

1.5 dCi (K9K)

Diesel

  • Clogged particulate filter on the 1.5 dCiExhaust and emissions
    Period mentioned
    2010 onwards
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.
  • Constant whine in the cabin from the 1.5 Blue dCi fuel pumpFuel system
    Period mentioned
    2018–2019
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Only the 1.5 Blue dCi built before 30/9/2019.

  • AdBlue pump damaged by a non-conforming module sealExhaust and emissions (AdBlue)
    Period mentioned
    2019–2021
    Mileage mentioned
    What the sheet says: 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.

    Applies if: Only the 1.5 Blue dCi built from 1/1/2019 to 31/7/2021.

These also apply, described above: Creaking when pressing the clutch caused by a non-conforming batch of slave cylinders

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Dacia Sandero (II)
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
1.2 16V (D4F)PetrolFewest documented11 with conditions5
1.0 SCe (B4D)Petrol22 with conditions5
0.9 TCe (H4Bt)Petrol32 with conditions5
1.2 16V / 0.9 TCe GLPLPG / CNGFewest documented11 with conditions5
1.5 dCi (K9K)Diesel54 with conditions6

According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.2 16V (D4F) (Petrol), 1.2 16V / 0.9 TCe GLP (LPG / CNG).

By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: LPG / CNG.

We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.

Official recalls: ask before you pay

A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Dacia dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Possible breakage at the steering-rod ball jointSteering

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; check the steering-rack type and replace it if the recall requires.

View full entry
The driver’s airbag may not deploy (2012–2013)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; check and, if needed, replace the driver’s airbag.

View full entry
The driver’s airbag may not inflate properly (2018)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; replace the driver’s airbag if the recall requires.

View full entry
The positive battery terminal may touch the alternatorElectrical and electronic systems

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; modify the wiring route and, if needed, replace the alternator.

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The key may jam in the start positionElectrical and electronic systems

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; replace the ignition switch and check the starter motor and its wiring.

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Risk of a diesel leak in the engine bayFuel system

Engines: 1.5 dCi (K9K) (Diesel)

How to check it: Check the recall by VIN; fit the protective clip or replace the pipe.

View full entry

On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 6 checked

Timing system

  • Look out for: 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.

    Ask them to check: 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.

Exhaust and emissions

  • Look out for: Particulate-filter or emissions warning, limp mode with loss of power and frequent regenerations.

    Ask them to check: 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.

Known weak points

  • Look out for: 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.

    Ask them to check: Listen to the chain when cold and measure consumption (TCe); check the campaigns by VIN; check the light stalk.

Transmission

  • Look out for: A creak or "crack" every time the clutch pedal is pressed; the gears engage normally.

    Ask them to check: 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.

Fuel system

  • Look out for: A continuous high-pitched whine inside the car, like a computer fan, that does not change when accelerating.

    Ask them to check: 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.

Exhaust and emissions (AdBlue)

  • Look out for: Engine and/or AdBlue warning light and a "refill AdBlue, no start in X km" message that keeps appearing even after refilling.

    Ask them to check: 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.

OBD codes worth looking for

If they let you read the fault memory with an OBD reader, these are the codes mentioned in this model's sheets:

P0016

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

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