Dacia Duster
E-Tech full hybrid: 1.6L naturally aspirated engine (H4M) + 2 electric motors, combined output 141 hp
Sensible hybrid
The E-Tech Hybrid combines electric gliding around town with enough power for cross-country trips. Efficient and contemporary.
Engine Weaknesses 5
The shaft seal between the electric motor and the multi-mode gearbox can wear prematurely. Gearbox oil enters the electric motor — gearbox failure without warning is possible. Renault service action OTS 0ET1 / campaign 0E2M.
Symptoms: Shaft seal between electric motor and multi-mode gearbox can wear prematurely
Sporadically the gearbox jumps from D or B into N with a strong jolt. Mechanical clunking is audible; a restart is required. Occurs from around 7,500 km.
Symptoms: Sporadically the gearbox jumps from D or B into N with a strong jolt
330,000 E-Tech vehicles recalled. The O-ring between electric motor and gearbox can fail; faulty diagnostic software then triggers limp mode and loss of drive.
Symptoms: 330,000 vehicles recalled
Under hard braking from 80 km/h, the clutchless gearbox abruptly downshifts from 2nd to 1st gear. Severe drivetrain judder; only partially resolved by software updates.
Symptoms: Under hard braking from 80 km/h, the clutchless gearbox abruptly downshifts from 2nd to 1st gear
On the motorway at full throttle the petrol engine runs at a sustained high rpm because the four-speed gearbox has no higher ratios. By design — not repairable.
Symptoms: On the motorway at full throttle the petrol engine runs at a sustained high rpm because the four-speed gearbox has no higher ratios
Vehicle Weaknesses 6
KBA recall 15066R: on 4×4 models with manual gearbox (TL8) produced 19.06.–03.09.2024, the rear ABS wiring harness may chafe against the tyre sidewall and cause ABS/ESP failure. Approx. 1,250 vehicles affected in Germany.
KBA recall 14486R (code 0EFZ): the R107 connector under the dashboard may come loose. Consequences: loss of drive, power steering failure, airbag deactivation and electric parking brake failure. 27,641 vehicles affected worldwide (produced 20.06.2023–11.07.2024).
On the TCe 130, the engine refuses to start — fuel pump runs but engine does not crank. Cause: faulty synchronisation between the injection and 48V control units. Fixed via software update since September 2024.
On new vehicles, the roof rails are occasionally found to be loosely mounted from the factory. The fixing screws under the interior trim are not torqued correctly. Covered by warranty and rectified at the workshop.
The infotainment system shows various faults: radio works only intermittently, volume control stops responding, Bluetooth connection to smartphone drops. Affected owners report that a full software update is required.
The Duster III's rear brake discs rust noticeably quickly — a problem already familiar from earlier Duster generations. Particularly in city driving with little load on the rear axle, rust forms and leads to noise and uneven braking.
