Dacia Bigster 1
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
140 PS
1.2L Turbo Mild Hybrid Benzin
Most powerful Dacia ever
Fun to Drive!140 PS
1.2L Turbo Mild Hybrid LPG
2 weaknesses
Good Choice156 PS
1.8L Hybrid Benzin
4 weaknesses
Stay Away!Engine Overview
The Dacia Bigster 1 is available with 3 engine variants — from 140 to 156 hp.
The Dacia 1.2L Turbo Mild Hybrid (Petrol Mild-Hybrid, 140 PS) has the HR12VDV-103kW (1.2L Turbo Mild Hybrid) — rated: "Good Choice", 2 known weaknesses.
The Dacia 1.2L Turbo Mild Hybrid (LPG Mild-Hybrid, 140 PS) has the HR12VDV-103kW-LPG (1.2L Turbo Mild Hybrid) — rated: "Good Choice", 2 known weaknesses.
The Dacia 1.8L Hybrid (Petrol Hybrid, 156 PS) has the HR18DDT (1.8L Hybrid) — rated: "Stay Away!", 4 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| ELEC system warning with cruise control failure Owners of the TCe 140 Mild Hybrid report a recurring 'ELEC system check' warning that deactivates the cruise control. Cause is often battery issues or corroded terminals, sometimes also sensor contamination. Symptoms: Warning message 'ELEC system check' in the display, cruise control switches off, restarting helps temporarily from 5,000 km | Low | |
| Apple CarPlay connection drops The infotainment loses CarPlay connectivity regularly, especially with iPhone 12–14. Dealers confirmed the root cause is excessive current draw at the USB port. A software update is pending. Symptoms: CarPlay disconnects after a few minutes, cable must be re-inserted, volume control stops working during active navigation | Low | |
| Sluggish infotainment system The touchscreen responds with a noticeable delay — several seconds may pass between touch input and reaction. The reversing camera occasionally fails completely for several days, and parking sensors then also stop working. Symptoms: Delayed touchscreen response, intermittent loss of reversing camera and parking sensors, traffic sign recognition drops out sporadically |
Known Problems and Issues
A total of 13 weaknesses have been documented for the Dacia Bigster 1 (2025–2026) — 8 engine-related and 5 vehicle-related. One problem engine: HR18DDT (1.8L Hybrid). Typical issues affect Electronics, Body, Other. Considered reliable: HR12VDV-103kW (1.2L Turbo Mild Hybrid), HR12VDV-103kW-LPG (1.2L Turbo Mild Hybrid).
Bigster (HR18DDT, 2025–2026) — Stay Away!: Gearbox failure under 2,000 km, Oil seal e-motor/gearbox (E-Tech system heritage), Cluster of electrical failures in the early phase. Power: 156 PS.
What to watch out for with the Dacia Bigster? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee