Renault Modus 1.2 16v 75 hp problems
The Renault Modus used the 1.2 16v from 2004 to 2012 (1.2 16V 75). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “damaged head gasket and coolant loss” (high severity, occasional). Our verdict: “Buy”. It is the safest option among the documented engines of the Renault Modus.
Engine score on this car
6.4 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Modus. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Renault Modus
5.9 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
1.2 16v
Safest optionRenault-Dacia 1.2 16v (D4F / D7F) · Petrol
- In the Modus
- 2004–2012[1]
- Name
- 1.2 16V 75
- Faults that affect it
- 5 · 1 of high or critical severity
Verdict for the version it uses
1.2 16v 75/76 (D4F, 2001-2020)2001–2020 · 75–76 hp · D4F 706, D4F 712, D4F 714, D4F 722, D4F 728, D4F 772, D4F 780
BuyThis is the version with the most data available and, overall, a good reputation: the reliability pages for the Clio II, Clio III, Kangoo I, Sandero I and II and Logan I and II document no catastrophic failures and no oil consumption; the most repeated issues (coils, sensors) are low-cost, and Caradisiac rates the reliability of the Twingo II with this engine as "excellent".[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Faults that affect the Modus
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockDamaged head gasket and coolant lossOn higher-mileage 1.2 16V engines, cases of a damaged head gasket are documented, with coolant loss and a risk of overheating; it appears on the Clio II, the Kangoo I and the Dacia Sandero I, but not in the pages for the Clio III or the second generation of Logan and Sandero.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonIgnitionIgnition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light)The ignition coil is the engine fault that recurs most on the 1.2 16v: it appears independently on the Renault Clio II and Clio III, with misfires, jerking or the engine warning light coming on.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsProbe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)The 1.2 16V can fail because of specific probes or sensors, above all the crankshaft position sensor (TDC sensor) and the throttle body, with the engine warning light on or difficulty starting. Documented on the Clio II, Clio III and Kangoo I.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming belt: preventive maintenance and the odd failureThe 1.2 16v has a timing belt (not a chain), a wear part that has to be changed as preventive maintenance. Documented failure cases are a minority: under 4% of the owner reports analysed on the Clio II and Clio III.
- Low severityFrequency: RareLubricationOil consumption (no documented pattern on this engine)Unlike other small direct-injection turbo engines, the reliability pages consulted for the 1.2 16v (Clio II and III, Kangoo I, Twingo II, Logan I and II, Sandero I and II) document no pattern of excessive oil consumption.
What to check before buying a used Renault Modus 1.2 16v 75 hp
Each point comes from a documented fault that affects this car. You can tick them off as you inspect it.
If it has the 1.2 16v (2004–2012)
Damaged head gasket and coolant loss
High severityIgnition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light)
Medium severityProbe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)
Medium severityTiming belt: preventive maintenance and the odd failure
Medium severityOther engines and gearboxes of the Renault Modus
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the Renault Modus outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalSteeringNoise, play or loss of assistance in the steeringThe rack and column of the Modus's electric power steering can produce noise or play, and in some cases lose assistance; Renault also recalled a batch of cars in 2005 over a problem in the steering column assembly.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchPremature clutch wear and noise in the manual gearboxOn the Modus, especially on diesel versions used in town, the clutch can slip, judder or wear out sooner than expected; the manual gearbox can also become noisier or find it hard to engage a gear as the mileage builds up.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionUneven tyre wear caused by the rear axle geometryOn the Modus, the tyres - especially the rear ones - can wear quickly or unevenly; fiches-auto.fr links this to the rear axle geometry and to wear of the bushes and shock absorbers.
- Low severityFrequency: CommonElectrical systemElectric window failureOn the Renault Modus, the motor, cables or guides of the electric windows can fail and leave the glass slow, stuck or dropping on its own; it is the most-cited non-engine fault in owner reports for this car.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareBodywork and interiorThe rear seat may jam (2008-2009 production)A 2010 campaign covers Modus cars built between January 2008 and October 2009 in which the folding rear bench may jam and not lock back correctly into position.
Buying a Renault Modus 1.2 16v 75 hp?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
The Renault Modus has 2 documented recalls and campaigns. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the Renault Modus 1.2 16v 75 hp reliable?
The Renault Modus used the 1.2 16v from 2004 to 2012 (1.2 16V 75). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “damaged head gasket and coolant loss” (high severity, occasional). Our verdict: “Buy”. It is the safest option among the documented engines of the Renault Modus.
What faults does the Renault Modus 1.2 16v 75 hp have?
The documented ones that affect this car are: damaged head gasket and coolant loss (high severity), ignition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light) (medium severity), probe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body) (medium severity), timing belt: preventive maintenance and the odd failure (medium severity) and oil consumption (no documented pattern on this engine) (low severity).
Which engine should you choose for the Renault Modus?
The safest option is the 1.2 16v, with a «Buy» verdict.
Own a Renault Modus 1.2 16v 75 hp? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Renault ModusWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault KangooFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia LoganFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia SanderoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Maxi-fiche fiabilité : la Renault Twingo 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French