Dacia Duster BUYERS GUIDE | Review & Common Problems Discussed

ALL the common issues you need to know if you're looking to buy a Dacia Duster be it the 1.2, 1.5 or 1.6. We review Dacia Duster Problems!
If you need any advice on finding your duster drop a comment below.
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[@coolstorybrooooo7643]

I've got a 2014 1.5 deci diesel. 50k miles. It's great. Absolutely bulletproof. Late 2014 so not made in India. Top tip if your duster doesnt have cruise control but does have a speed limiter. You can buy a dual switch that then "unlocks" cruise control for the car. They hid the feature behind a button that doesnt allow you to access it.

[@raylp4751]

2019 has cruise control

[@oldguy2976]

Had three dusters …never a problem ! all your “issues” were trivia …this is a great car

[@arnienermo5989]

True Grit Rented a 2019 for 2 weeks in Morocco…absolutely loved it. Great mpg (diesel) acceleration, breaks , ground clearance…etc

[@andrewgent9334]

Don't break the brakes

[@narkynorm]

2014 4x4, never been stuck,never broke down , blew a rear tailight bulb once.

[@andrewwalkerscotland]

Great down-to-earth video with very thorough analysis. And I love the raw bits

[@owendavis690]

I have a 2014 1.5 petrol 6 years on ,tyres and brake pads , no issues , starts first time every time i love mine

[@MrYughurta]

My 2015 Duster 1.5 has no problem 😊

[@jamesgilhooly8922]

I have a 2016 Duster 1.5L 4 wheel drive, absolutely love it.

[@danpaul4975]

I recently bought a 2013 1.5 diesel end of last year with just 52000 miles, drives like new. Has a bit of surface rust in placea but not enough for me to worry about for as long as I'll keep it! I love the car! The heater only working on 4 is a resistor failure that happens on any standard heater in any car. I deliberately wentbold because i didn't want it to be too nice.

[@tknode3065]

Dude! If you are able to you should fix the surface rust before it gets worse. Most auto parts shops have everything you need and it cheap and simple to fix yourself

[@lukakrslovic4784]

Lol. Fix the rust bro. It easier to fix it when there is less rust.

[@susandavidson6738]

I wouldn't change my 2017 prestige Duster for anything... Hasn't let me down in 5 years.❤

[@sounduser]

My moms got one. I though it was going to be a total bag of. But honestly i quite like it.

[@magoo1uk2003]

Had a 1.5 diesel for 3 years not a single problem and great on fuel

[@sykoteddy]

I bought a new Dacia Duster from 2015 with the 1.6L diesel and I'm pretty happy. Now almost 10 years later I have driven ca 12 0000 KM. I', starting to find some problems. Not any big ones, but something you should consider fixing before they get too bad. Some year ago I started hearing something causing a lot of noise in the wheel well. At first glance I couldn't find anything, but when I had the front taken off from trying to mount a led-bar I had to re-position the inner plastic wheel wells and then noticed the fasteners or shitty plastic clips simply was gone, or there is something else missing because on the inner upper part of the chassi there is elongated holes that looks like holes for fastening the inner plastic wheel well. But I couldn't find any holes for the fasteners on the plastic wheel wells. Anyway, when following the plastic wheel well down to the door I found a big compartment full of dirt and water that had been sucked up and retained by the damping material there. This of course in it's turn had helped rust starting to occur. Also all the metal clips and fasteners that hold up the front are now so heavily attacked with rust that I had to replace most of them. I am planning to order new inner plastic fenders and some original mounting accessories but I'm also gonna order fasteners and metal clips in stainless steel to replace all both in the front and back. I recently decided to mount a led-bar in the front of the car and soon realized there's a lot of plastic behind the front which makes a bit hard to mount if you don't want it to vibrate a lot when driving. I was thinking about mounting the led-bar just above the registration sign but then was about 10 more cm to the metal frame. I still haven't come up with a great solution. Btw, I've never had that weird thing with having to unlock the doors from within the car before exiting. Also, I don't think the cruise control buttons are odd at all. I've driven many Renault and VW work cars and they have always been similar. Another thing that is surprising not only me, but everyone I tell it to, that they actually put a gas damper under hood instead of just using a metal rod, like most cars. I don't know why they stopped using the spings the used to hold up the good on older cars like my Chevy Silverado 2500 from 1995 and for example old Mercedes from the 80-90's.

[@borutsolina3569]

so in general if you have a dacia duster made in 2017 or later then there shouldnt be any problems?

[@ASingh-x3l]

Can u make a video on how to fix the dampness or water in rear passenger and front side floor.

[@davidthomson7815]

Thanks useful for the older Dacia cars. I am considering buying a 2023 or 2024 version. Any comments on these would be very helpful.

[@redrubyelvis]

Don't think you can go wrong, I've just done a lot of research for myself (I'm about to buy a facelift 2022 Prestige diesel) but definitely hold out for the brand new shape that's coming out soon and I'll be sick with jealousy 🙂. I can only wish😢

[@lburgess3098]

Can you please give me a link to the video regarding clearing rainwater drainage filling up the a-post on the Dacia Duster please? Many thanks.

[@brendandunbar698]

Great information well done , thank you all involved.

[@originalWillZ]

2014 4WD 1.5 dci Duster with 115000km and it has taken me everywhere and anywhere with my goodyear wrangler tyres 215/70/16R (Beach, Rocky Mountains, Mud valleys.) Only issues i had was the master cylinder fail (fixed under warranty) driver seat airbag sensor cable pinched somehow(fixed under warranty). Only current issue is paint peeling almost everywhere(small patches) and rust in passanger pillar by windscreen under the rubber strip and sometimes power steering stops working for like 3 seconds and comes back(not fixed yet). Otherwise its more reliable than a ford so im happy. 😅 no gearbox or engine problems, not once! If you know how to drive then it will last you a long time and take you alot of places. If im correct the engine block is shared with the Mercedes A class/ 2.4 toyota engine. (Just the engine Block) So its pretty much indestructible but for injectors and turbo or egr i think thats where nissan comes in. Very similar to the NP200 front. But actually shares the nissan qashqui drive train. Not sure why it has a sticker with nissan logo under the bonnet in the front, probably to because of the body but not 100% sure. Hope this info helps someone or someone can give me more info on the vehicle.

[@Anthony-b1e7v]

Paint problems is easy… if you’re washing your car, avoid using soap or car shampoo, just normal water… reduce also the pressure of your water spray, just mild …

[@roberthay8706]

Have a 64plate 4wd duster .made in india.over 100000 milespaint chipped here and therre but surprisingly has been undersealed from new.excellent headlightsand driving lights used like a van seeking firewood and in the winter up to Scotland on many a wild goose chase.camping gear dogs guns cooking gear love it and im 74.

[@alantheskinhead]

The auto locking doors is for people who live in cities around the Baltic where city car crime is quite high. I think you can turn them off though

[@romaniameaiubita8843]

DACIA 10 ❤

[@nandoravandor9642]

I have a 2016 duster, 1.5 dci 4x4. In the last 2 years I had to change the intercooler pipe, becuse the oil was leaking, and had to renew the turbo at 70.000 km... Also has other problems like fuel pressure sensor, and RUST😂😂 But I have to admit, this sh*t can go through literally everything. I use it on mud very rarely, but if i use it, it's lifesaver

[@warjacare]

I had a Kangoo 1600, 4 cyl. no turbo, manual, for 18 years. My new car is a Duster, 1600, 4 cyl. no turbo, manual. Obviously.

[@marlarkin1090]

Looking at 2016 duster low mileage.is that a later engine revision?

[@syferain1074]

how do u open the hood

[@johnsharpe734]

Me again....just remembered the YUGO....another hightmare...the DACIA may end up like that one...(hopefully not)

[@dbank6107]

In other words, steer well clear :}}

[@FatHead1979]

That was also my take. Also, given the litany of 'weaknesses' with the earlier interations, I'm not convinced that '7' is an accurate reliability score. I'd expect most people to this of a score of 7 as being at least "above average" and I don't think any vehicle can be rated as "above average" witha list of weaknesses as long as this one TBH.

[@the_explorer_adam]

​@@FatHead1979 these issues highlighted bar 2 we've never heard of them! Check out channel, we batter our dusters and rarely if anything have an issue! The guy who created this video thinks that you need to press a button to get out, you don't you just open the door 😂 it's an anti car jacking feature, if you or say a lone female felt threatened you can lock all the doors in an instant!

[@shannonsim3944]

@@the_explorer_adam it was me (car owner) that told him this and showed him mine genuinely doesn’t open when I open with the handle from the inside unless I press that button, All my other cars have had this and opened fine but this one doesn’t. Unless you know a way to actually get it to open cause it’s stumped me?

[@the_explorer_adam]

@@shannonsim3944 which door are you trying to open?

[@shannonsim3944]

@@the_explorer_adam drivers door and Front passenger

[@danmclellan-yi9ur]

Your looking for faults as you don’t like the car simple don’t review it I have the Dacia duster 1.5dci for 5 years and apart from tyres and brakes with 132k on the clock has had no issues so guys if you want to buy a duster you won’t regret it

[@theadventurer28]

In other words don't buy these cars then😮

[@the_explorer_adam]

8:03 you do not need to press that button to unlock the doors just open your door, it's to prevent people getting in your car from outside but doesn't need to be pressed to get out of the car for example a lone female feeling threatened can lock all the doors in an instant for safety...

[@TomGoymour]

I just got a 2016 Duster and they told me at the garage i bought it from that you do have to press that button every time. i dont seem to be able to get out of mine without doing so. Is there some setting no one is telling me about?

[@the_explorer_adam]

@@TomGoymour not that we know of, next time your at the car turn the ignition on with the your door open, does the dashboard register that your doors open? If it doesn't the switch is faulty that detects it opening

[@davidfarrant6591]

@@TomGoymour Hold the button down for 5 seconds, it turns the automatic lock feature off. To turn it back on, another 5 second press.

[@shannonsim3944]

Great vid!! & I’m not just saying that cause it’s my car! 😂x

[@bzzrt]

Got a 2011 Duster 1.6 16V Lauréate still going strong. :D Love the car. It actually drives comfortable on long distances. I actually came from a 1991 Jag XJS V12. ^^

[@peter7582]

Hasn't that 1.5 Renault engine been around since like the early 2000s? It should be pretty well revised by the time they were use for these.

[@D00dles]

What about the 2021 1.3 petrol any advise would be great. Great video as always 👏

[@StefAdr]

How is the audio control arm unusual to you? And cruise control buttons on the wheel... We have these since the 90s

[@Alan-zy2kp]

Thanks so much. I watch from Australia and I am coming home to Scotland to look after my elderly mother after 30 years away. Can’t wait to be home and this review is going to help me to buy a duster when I get home in May. Keep up the great work.

[@daciamcv1026]

I have Dacia Logan mcv which has the 1.5 diesel it is now 10 years old and has done 54k only problem battery failed

[@michaelmurray8412]

I have 66 plate Duster, has none of the problems you mentioned?

[@JeffreyAndrews-z6s]

Had my 2016 1.6 4x4 petrol for 2.5 years. It has needed 1 sensor replaced, main battery replaced and whole new suspension due to corrosion. Been told specifically by my garage to run it on premium unleaded (it started sooting up on E10) and it should run with very few issues.

[@Jonoponomono]

Great review, but please become bilingual and learn Canadian so we can understand you. Eh! Keep up the good work.

[@trustnet-app]

It's pronounced "datchia" not "dasia"

[@nmsoti1]

I.m a Romanian national owning a 1.3 TCe, 2020 Duster, close, it.s DA CHI A. YOU'RE WELCOME!

[@shaunshepherd9097]

@@nmsoti1he’s a Scott😂

[@shaunshepherd9097]

What was that stupid remark about the key all about? So trivial!,

[@markellis4229]

Not worth buying petrol versions of it or 4/2 the 1.5 are quite tough engine

[@ashcbr1000rr]

From what year did the dci become reliable

[@johnsharpe734]

Thanks for the video.....I nearly bought a new one....then....decided on a late Honda Jazz.....Great car...59 mpg average...and reliable. (I'm an ex mechanic and at 75yo had lots of cars where similar faults appeared on most.....seen enough....cheers once again

[@paulusdinata7836]

I live in indonesia. In my place we call renault duster and i'm interested in 2017 duster. Do you think 2017 duster is good because in indonesia renault doesnt make the younger model.

[@jeremywentworth1833]

Watched video as a recent subscriber has these Dusters have really grown on me in a nice spec & nice colour they look great , can see me buying 1 at sometime a neighbour has a 23 plate don't know the model but looks fabulous in a dark metallic green with copper-bronze looking trim & wheels i do know it looks like a leather interior & is the 4x4. Can't see me changing my mrs car a 14 plate DS3 Dsport for 1 but definitely my 09 Cadillac BLS 1.9 CDti sorry Saab 93 .

[@davecouto909]

Thanks for this video, I'm going to take a look at a 2014 1.6 next week. It looks really neat in the photos but I'm glad to know what potential issues there may be. Some trivia, here in South Africa it was sold as a Renault.

[@EddyFeyen]

I drive dusters now for 8 years and never had any problems at all. Petrol car and now LPG-petrol and next year the same.

[@mikeskitt6411]

Not enough information on the steering wheel buttons or the satnav/ radio electronics etc. From the video it looks like you didn't know anything about these.

[@andydixon9707]

I drive a 2017 Duster Prestige.... before that a Honda Civic Hybrid 2007.... Prestige all the way amazing car!

[@stuart404]

Would appreciate the technique for cleaning out blocked trim/piping as I have the damp issue in rear footwear, thanks

[@vince6219]

Well thanks for that 🙂, That's made my mind up, i'll give the old Dacia a wide berth. 👍. great in depth review. cheers

[@Barbarapape]

I have been looking at these for a while, but have been put off by the fact that they use older Renault parts wrapped in a thin weak body shell. Now i know what to look for and think twice about buying one. Thanks for a very useful video.

[@akaski777]

Are they as a 20 year old Toyota . Obviously a new car is going to be reliable

[@lounestoubal6389]

Sense 2018 it still in the garage 😂😂😂 i forgot about its

[@jakbad7268]

When you said “I’m catching my shoe” that’s when I lost it 😂😂

[@martabird]

What year is the Duster you had there please?

[@ScottishCarClan]

2016 😁

[@timhancock6626]

A revised model came in 2018 and is quite a bit better. It's been facelifted in early 22 and a new Duster will come in 2024. The UK will probably get it by 2026 in that case 😂

[@clooperman3745]

@@ScottishCarClan Have several friends that all have 4x4 Dusters, all bought new and l think only problems have been washer motor, rear wiper and alternator, all get used offroad fairly regularly.

[@michaeltravers6109]

Excellent!

[@tmservices]

Really helpful - thank you!

[@CosgroveNotts]

I need something that's not noisy from road, tyres and engine

[@ScottishCarClan]

Used Honda CRV perhaps? Mk4 onwards

[@markbrown83]

I'm looking at one on Friday - do they have a digital speedo?

[@nicoxx2605]

You can switch it on

[@rogerborg]

If you're going to mis-pronounce Dacia as "Dah-see-ah", then you might as well say that they've got "Ren-alt" engines.

[@jpwphotographicstudio3891]

Good review and info.. . You have put me off a bit though... Wife nearly bought one when they first came into the UK ended up with a Captur on her second Captur now and had no problems with either .. Love the 4x4 Duster in the future though new model ..

[@45ltr]

Got the 1.3 petrol , use it as a camper and also for hauling wood for my wood burner , cut trunks to 5 feet and can get about 45 feet of tree depending on the weight , more than happy with the car so much that the next one will be another duster

[@volt8684]

I personally hate the look of these cars. However I am a renault fan. Their mechanicals are solid. What I can say that these are all over Spain being sold alongside Renault garages. Rave reviews all over the net. They are certainly in my price range. Savvy buyers want a car to use as a car not a gin palace. I have a 17 yr old petrol berlingo and see it as a forerunner to these. High mileage and tough as old boots with yes cheap plastics - who cares. I wont ever buy diesel. I watch a lot of these reviews and I think once inside - no problem. French cars psa and renault always whined a tad. Even old R 5/4/6/9/11 as old as that. My daughter’s 200k peugeot 206 had a whine but is a characteristic not a fault. Love this channel

[@ericthexm]

I've owned a 2017 1.5 TDci from new. Have serviced it myself from 40k to its current 124k miles. No issues except a split rubber pipe attached to the EGR sensor. Very reliable and averages 50+ mpg. VED is also only £35 a year for a March 2017 registered Duster.

[@ep1929]

Lucky purchase there, if you'd have bought in April 2017 the tax would be full £190.

[@patsytoland3191]

Having a problem with 2019 Dascia Duster 1.5 diesel clutch. Clutch has gone but cannot locate a new Master Cylinder in Ireland or UK. Car has been off the road for 4 weeks now and no hope from Renault yet.

[@hevnorton7966]

How long did it take to get hold of in the end?

[@adrianlaroche7158]

Whether a "Duster" is good or bad it still looks like it was constructed from a skip full of abstract SUV panels.

[@TheWtfnonamez]

I was looking to pick up a second hand one of these because they looked like a dream budget car for someone in the Highlands. ....then I found out they had rust issues and the engines blew out. Setting aside the engine, in Scotland, you need a car that will RESIST rust, not be PRONE to it.