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Dacia · Compact SUV · 2017–2024 Custom Search

Dacia Duster 2

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★
3.4 / 5.0 · Based on 14 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

150 PS

1.3L Turbo Benzin

Top engine in the Duster

Fun to Drive!
Most Reliable Engine

114 PS

1.6L 16V Benzin

3 weaknesses

Good Choice
Problem Engine

125 PS

1.2L Turbo Benzin

4 weaknesses

Stay Away!

Generations

Engine Overview

The Dacia Duster 2 is available with 8 engine variants — from 86 to 150 hp. 5 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

1.5L Blue dCi · Diesel· 90–116 PS Engine Change
2018 2023
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2018 2023
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2021 2023
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
1.5L dCi · Diesel· 90–116 PS Engine Change
2018 2023
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2018 2023
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
1.0L Turbo · Petrol· 91–101 PS Engine Change
2019 2023
Be Careful 3 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2020 2023
Be Careful 3 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
1.0L Turbo · LPG· 91–101 PS Engine Change
2020 2023
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2021 2023
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
1.2L Turbo · Petrol· 125 PS
2018 2023
Stay Away! 4 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
1.3L Turbo · Petrol· 131–150 PS Engine Change
2019 2023
Good Choice 4 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2019 2023
Good Choice 4 weaknesses
1.6L 16V · Petrol· 114 PS
2018 2023
Good Choice 3 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
1.6L 16V · LPG· 114 PS
2018 2023
Good Choice 7 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →

The Dacia 1.5L Blue dCi (Diesel, 90–116 PS) comes with 3 different engines: K9K-70kW (2018–2023, Be Careful) and K9K-85kW (2018–2023, Be Careful) and K9K-84kW (2021–2023, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.5L Blue dCi!

The Dacia 1.5L dCi (Diesel, 90–116 PS) comes with 2 different engines: K9K-66kW (2018–2023, Be Careful) and K9K-80kW (2018–2023, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.5L dCi!

The Dacia 1.0L Turbo (Petrol, 91–101 PS) comes with 2 different engines: H4D-74kW (2019–2023, Be Careful) and H4D-67kW (2020–2023, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.0L Turbo!

The Dacia 1.0L Turbo (LPG, 91–101 PS) comes with 2 different engines: H4D-74kW-LPG (2020–2023, Be Careful) and H4D-67kW-LPG (2021–2023, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.0L Turbo!

The Dacia 1.2L Turbo (Petrol, 125 PS) has the H5F-92kW (1.2L Turbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 4 known weaknesses.

The Dacia 1.3L Turbo (Petrol, 131–150 PS) comes with 2 different engines: H5H-96kW (2019–2023, Good Choice) and H5H-110kW (2019–2023, Good Choice). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.3L Turbo!

The Dacia 1.6L 16V (Petrol, 114 PS) has the H4M-84kW (1.6L 16V) — rated: "Good Choice", 3 known weaknesses.

The Dacia 1.6L 16V (LPG, 114 PS) has the H4M-84kW-LPG (1.6L 16V) — rated: "Good Choice", 7 known weaknesses.

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Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
✖Axle components with high MOT defect rate

The Duster II also shows axle components with a five-fold above-average defect rate at the very first MOT. Tie rod ends and steering joints are among the most common weak points.

Symptoms: Steering play, knocking over uneven surfaces, MOT defect for steering and axle joints
from 70,000 km
Ad tie rodnkopf Duster IIball joint Dacia HM
 Medium

Test Reports

tuev

TÜV Report

Below average

At 6–7 years old, nearly one in four has significant defects (23.5% vs. 13.6% average). Main issues: steering joints, lighting, and brakes.

2024-01
pannenstatistik

Breakdown statistics

Average

3.7 to 8.4 breakdowns per 1,000 registrations (model years 2017–2020) — green rating. Breakdown frequency acceptable for a budget SUV.

2022-01

Alternatives

Same Segment

Alfa Romeo Tonale 965

Compact SUV (2022–2024)

Same Segment

BMW X1 U11

Compact SUV (2022–2026)

Same Segment

BMW iX1 U11

Compact SUV (2022–2026)

Same Segment

Genesis GV70 JK1

Compact SUV (2022–2025)

Same Segment

Kia Niro SG2

Compact SUV (2022–2024)

Same Segment

Lexus NX AZ20

Compact SUV (2022–2025)

Known Problems and Issues

A total of 75 weaknesses have been documented for the Dacia Duster 2 (2017–2024) — 67 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. One problem engine: H5F-92kW (1.2L Turbo). Typical issues affect Suspension, Gearbox, Electronics, Brakes. Considered reliable: H4M-84kW (1.6L 16V), H4M-84kW-LPG (1.6L 16V), H5H-96kW (1.3L Turbo).

Duster (K9K-66kW, 2018–2023) — Be Careful: Injectors worn out, Turbocharger worn, Connecting rod bearing damage from oil neglect. Power: 90–95 PS.

Duster (K9K-70kW, 2018–2023) — Be Careful: Injectors worn out, Turbocharger worn, Connecting rod bearing damage from oil neglect. Power: 90–95 PS.

Duster (K9K-80kW, 2018–2023) — Be Careful: Injectors worn out, Turbocharger worn, Connecting rod bearing damage from oil neglect. Power: 109–116 PS.

Duster (K9K-85kW, 2018–2023) — Be Careful: Injectors worn out, Turbocharger worn, Connecting rod bearing damage from oil neglect. Power: 109–116 PS.

Duster (K9K-84kW, 2021–2023) — Be Careful: Injectors worn out, Turbocharger worn, Connecting rod bearing damage from oil neglect. Power: 109–116 PS.

Duster (H5F-92kW, 2018–2023) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretch — production defect, Extreme oil consumption, Turbocharger wastegate faulty. Power: 125 PS.

Duster (H4D-74kW, 2019–2023) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch on TCe variants, Oil in spark plug tubes, CVT gearbox judder. Power: 101 PS.

Duster (H4D-67kW, 2020–2023) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch on TCe variants, Oil in spark plug tubes, CVT gearbox judder. Power: 91 PS.

Duster (H4D-74kW-LPG, 2020–2023) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch on TCe variants, Oil in spark plug tubes, CVT gearbox judder. Power: 101 PS.

Duster (H4D-67kW-LPG, 2021–2023) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch on TCe variants, Oil in spark plug tubes, CVT gearbox judder. Power: 91 PS.

What to watch out for with the Dacia Duster? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Dacia Duster 2 have? +
The Dacia Duster 2 has 67 known engine weaknesses and 8 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Dacia Duster 2? +
faq.watch_a_avoid faq.watch_a_rec
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: H4M-84kW (1.6L 16V), H4M-84kW-LPG (1.6L 16V), H5H-96kW (1.3L Turbo), H5H-110kW (1.3L Turbo). The most reliable engine is the H4M-84kW (1.6L 16V) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the H5H-110kW (1.3L Turbo). Problem engine: H5F-92kW (1.2L Turbo) — stay away!
Which Dacia Duster 2 engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Dacia Duster 2. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 3 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Dacia Duster 2 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Dacia Duster 2 — rated: "Fun to Drive!". {description} 150 hp in the Duster — the strongest petrol engine is genuinely fun. Strong turbo pull, effortless motorway cruising.
Is the Dacia Duster 2 worth buying used? +
The Dacia Duster 2 is a good choice as a used car — 4 of 14 engine variants are rated 'Good Choice'.
What horsepower variants are available for the Dacia Duster 2? +
The Dacia Duster 2 is available with engine variants from 86 to 150 hp. Petrol: H4M-84kW (1.6L 16V), H4D-67kW (1.0L Turbo), H4D-74kW (1.0L Turbo), H5F-92kW (1.2L Turbo), H5H-96kW (1.3L Turbo), H5H-110kW (1.3L Turbo). Diesel: K9K-66kW (1.5L dCi), K9K-70kW (1.5L Blue dCi), K9K-80kW (1.5L dCi), K9K-85kW (1.5L Blue dCi), K9K-84kW (1.5L Blue dCi).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee