Carsieve

Renault Clio IV (2012-2019): known problems and buying guide

Built
2012–2016
Median price
€5,990
Listings
814
Running cost per month
€330–€422
Power
72–120 PS (53–88 kW)
Reliability
2/5
DIY
2/5

The EDC automatic judders and the TCe petrols use oil. Check both on a test drive and read the service history.

All versions

VariantRunning cost per monthMedian priceListingsFuelEngine codesGearboxProduction years
1.2 16V, 74 PS, 5-speed manual Research€391€5,900210Petrol D4F D7, D4F P7Manual (5)2012–2016
1.2 16V, 72 PS, 5-speed manual Research€330€5,995185LPG D4F P7Manual (5)2013–2014
dCi 75, 75 PS, 5-speed manual Research€340€5,990185Diesel K9K E6Manual (5)2012–2016
ENERGY TCe 90, 90 PS, 5-speed manual Research€366€5,700171Petrol H4B G4Manual (5)2012–2016
ENERGY dCi 90, 90 PS, 5-speed manual Research€393€5,750118Diesel K9K E6Manual (5)2012–2016
dCi 90, 90 PS, 6-speed manual Research€390€5,750118Diesel K9K E6Manual (6)2014–2015
ENERGY TCe 120, 118 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research€422€7,99953Petrol H5F G4Automatic (dual-clutch) (6)2016
TCe 120, 120 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research€417€7,99953Petrol H5F D4Automatic (dual-clutch) (6)2013–2016

At a glance

  • Years: built 2012 to 2019, hatchback and Grandtour. The brake recall covers cars built up to April 2014.
  • Most common: the EDC automatic judders when pulling away. The 0.9 and 1.2 TCe petrols use oil.
  • Reliability: 2/5, because owners rate it poorly and the gearbox and oil faults are known.
  • DIY: 2/5, because a clutch job takes about 7 hours in a workshop.
  • Prefer: a manual car with service records. Avoid: an EDC car that judders, and a TCe petrol that needs oil between changes.

Engines and gearboxes

  • 0.9 TCe petrol (H4Bt, 90-110 PS): oil use and a timing chain that can stretch. See Known issues.
  • 1.2 16V petrol (D4F, 65-75 PS): ignition coils can fail. See Known issues.
  • 1.2 TCe petrol (H5F, 120 PS): oil use. See Known issues.
  • 1.6 turbo petrol of the RS (M5Mt, 200-220 PS): no common fault known.
  • 1.5 dCi diesel (K9K, 75-110 PS): no common fault known.
  • Manual gearbox: the clutch wears. See Known issues.
  • EDC automatic (dual-clutch): judders when pulling away. See Known issues.

Known issues

Issue Affects Typical km Repair cost
EDC judder and jerky shifts EDC automatic Not stated No confirmed price
Oil use, 1.2 TCe 1.2 TCe petrol (H5F, 120 PS) Not stated No confirmed price
Oil use and timing chain, 0.9 TCe 0.9 TCe petrol (H4Bt) About 100,000 km (chain) No confirmed price
Manual clutch wear Manual gearbox Not stated 300-2,000 EUR (Germany, year not stated); from 16,800 RUB (Moscow, year not stated)
Brakes and suspension All; brake recall for cars built up to April 2014 Not stated Pads and discs 200-800 EUR per axle (Germany, year not stated)
Electrics and key card All Not stated No confirmed price
Ignition coils Petrol: 0.9 TCe (H4Bt) and 1.2 16V (D4F) Not stated 40-130 EUR (Germany, year not stated)

Before you buy

  1. Drive the car from rest and at low speed in traffic. A shudder or a jerky gear change is the EDC judder fault.
  2. Ask for the gearbox service records and check for a gearbox warning light. A warning needs a scanner to read the fault codes.
  3. Ask for the EDC oil change records. The oil should be changed every 50,000 to 64,000 km.
  4. On a 1.2 TCe, check the oil level at each fill-up and ask for top-up records. Oil that is low between changes shows the known fault.
  5. On a 0.9 TCe with about 100,000 km or more, ask whether the timing chain has been checked. Check the oil level as well.
  6. On a manual car, test for judder when pulling away, cold and warm.
  7. Ask a dealer to check the VIN for open recalls, including the 2014 brake hose and rear piston campaign.
  8. Ask for the last TÜV report. Axle joints and brakes are the usual failures.
  9. Test the navigation unit, the key card and the dash warnings. A unit that crashes, or a key card that is not detected, is a fault.

Running costs

Operational€153
Workshop€107
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)€136
Total per month€396
New-car depreciation (not included)€45

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings
814
25th percentile
€4,900
Median price
€5,990
75th percentile
€7,200
Median mileage
142,400 km
Median first registration
2015
Dealer share
77%
Price at 100,000 km
€7,111

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

EDC judder and jerky shifts

The EDC is a dual-clutch automatic. Owners and a garage report a shudder when pulling away at low speed, jerky or late gear changes, and a gearbox warning. In emergency mode only the odd or only the even gears engage. The garage guide names the clutch actuator, a position sensor, contaminated valves from old oil, and the mechatronic unit as causes.

Sources: Service4Service, Motor-Talk owner thread

Oil use, 1.2 TCe

Owners and the press report high oil use on the 1.2 TCe 120 (engine code H5F). The press figure is about 1 litre per 1,000 km. Check the dipstick at each fill-up.

Sources: AutoTrader South Africa, Motor-Talk owner thread

Oil use and timing chain, 0.9 TCe

The 0.9 TCe burns oil. Timing chains stretch. The parts company says the chain shows no problems up to about 100,000 km, then depends on driving style.

Sources: AutoTrader South Africa, drive2, АвтоСтронг-М

Manual clutch wear

A worn clutch makes the car judder when pulling away. A clutch job is routine: the release bearing, pressure plate and clutch disc are usually replaced. It takes about 7 hours in a workshop. Repair guides give 300-2,000 EUR in Germany (year not stated) and from 16,800 RUB in Moscow (year not stated).

Sources: carwiki, repareo, drive2 owner, avtogermes

Brakes and suspension

Germany recalled 21,618 Clio IV in 2014. Front brake hoses can chafe against the wheel-arch liners. Rear brake pistons can come loose under heavy load. The rear fix covers D4F, H4B and K9K engines. It excludes cars with 17-inch alloy wheels or an automatic gearbox. The repair takes 20 minutes to 4 hours. In Austria, 28 cars built in October and November 2016 needed a front right brake caliper check.

Suspension and brakes often fail the TÜV inspection. Anti-roll bar links, shock absorbers and control arm bushings wear early. Axle suspension joints on Clio 3 and 4 often fail the inspection. Corroded brake lines and worn discs are weak points. Brake pads and discs cost 200-800 EUR per axle in Germany (year not stated).

Sources: AUTO BILD, 2014 recall, AUTO BILD, weak points, AutoScout24 Austria, carwiki

Electrics and key card

The navigation unit can crash. The key card is sometimes not detected. Sensors and dash warnings also fault. Owners name the electrics as their biggest complaint.

Sources: AUTO BILD, weak points, AutoTrader South Africa, Carbuyer

Ignition coils

Ignition coils fail on the 0.9 TCe and the 1.2 16V. Rough idle can point to them. A new coil costs 40-130 EUR in Germany (year not stated).

Sources: AutoTrader South Africa, carwiki

Recalls

Campaigns named in the sources. Ask the dealer to check the VIN for open recalls.

Country Code Years What is done
Germany not given Built up to April 2014 21,618 cars. Front brake hoses: check the wheel-arch liners, replace hoses or liners. Rear brake pistons: new retaining points on the shoe springs. 20 minutes to 4 hours.
Austria not given Built October to November 2016 28 cars. Front right brake caliper: inspect, replace if needed. About 18 to 54 minutes.

Sources: AUTO BILD, ÖAMTC

Maintenance

  • EDC gearbox oil: change every 50,000 to 64,000 km. A garage guide gives 40,000 miles (about 64,000 km).
  • Engine oil: the 0.9 TCe and 1.2 TCe use oil. Check the level at every fill-up and between services.
  • Brakes and suspension: the TÜV finds faults in brakes and axle joints. Have them checked at each service.

Sources: Service4Service, drive2 owner, EDC oil, AutoTrader South Africa, Motor-Talk owner thread

Sources

English

German

Russian