Europe's most affordable electric car, built in China on a Renault-Dongfeng platform and designed purely for urban commuting. This report covers the Electric 45 and Electric 65, which Dacia replaced for model year 2026 with the 52 kW/75 kW Electric 70 and Electric 100 on a 24.3 kWh LFP battery. The drivetrain is simple and mechanically robust, but cost-cutting shows in suspension quality, paint protection, and electrical fit-and-finish. TÜV data from the first inspections of the earliest cars, at 2-3 years old, revealed a 13% substantial defect rate, roughly double the average, with suspension issues particularly prominent.· more· less
Very low running costsSimple drivetrain, few moving parts
TÜV inspectors found suspension defects at 20.5 times the average rate on the earliest 2-3 year old cars · more· less
The 2026 TÜV Report flagged the Dacia Spring's suspension as critically poor for its age. At the first inspection (2-3 years), wheel bearing play and worn suspension components appeared at rates far exceeding the norm. Leaking shock absorbers were also noted. That cohort is made up of the earliest cars: Dacia has since added an anti-roll bar, revised dampers and springs, and made other chassis changes, so the finding should not be read across to the whole production run. On the affected early cars the basic suspension design, combined with cost-cutting on component quality, means dampers and bushings may need replacing well before 60,000 km. Shock absorber replacement costs approximately €200-400 per axle including labor, with wheel bearings adding €150-250 per side. Owners driving on poorly maintained roads or over speed bumps frequently report accelerated wear.
12V battery drain and electrical gremlins
€100 - 4002 of 6
High parasitic draw drains the 12V battery within days if the car sits unused · more· less
The Dacia Spring has a well-documented parasitic drain issue. The 12V auxiliary battery, which powers the car's electronics and is needed to wake the high-voltage system, can discharge within 3-7 days of the car sitting unused. Cold weather worsens this significantly. A weak or dead 12V battery can trigger various warning lights and prevent the car from starting. The 12V battery is charged from the main battery via the DC-DC converter, but the standby draw is excessive. Solutions include replacing the 12V battery with a higher-capacity unit (€70-150) or keeping it on a trickle charger. Some owners report that a faulty battery sensor contributes to the problem. This is a design characteristic rather than a defect that will be fixed.
Heating system malfunction
€200 - 9003 of 6
PTC heater or climate control unit fails, leaving the cabin unheated in winter · more· less
Multiple owners report heating system failures during cold weather, ranging from weak heating output to complete failure. The Spring uses a PTC electric heater element, which can fail or produce insufficient heat. In some cases the climate control unit itself needs replacement at approximately €800-900. Dealers have been slow to resolve these issues, with some owners reporting multiple visits without a fix. The problem is particularly impactful because the Spring is primarily a city car used year-round, and the small battery means heating already reduces range significantly. Weak or noisy air conditioning in summer is also reported but is less critical.
DC-DC converter / onboard charger failure
€500 - 1,5004 of 6
Integrated charger and DC-DC converter unit can fail, preventing charging or killing the 12V system · more· less
In the Dacia Spring, the onboard charger and DC-DC converter are combined into a single unit to save space and cost. When this unit fails, the car may not charge, the 12V battery may not be replenished (causing the car to shut down), or high-voltage error warnings may appear. Dacia addressed charging unit malfunctions through a 2023 Romanian special technical operation and the French 0E3Q action covering 5,936 cars, neither of which was published as an official safety recall and neither of which disclosed a production window. Outside of warranty, specialist repair shops can sometimes fix the unit by replacing individual components like diodes (€500-800), but full unit replacement can cost €1,000-1,500. Diagnosis is important, as symptoms can mimic 12V battery or main battery issues.
Infotainment and display malfunctions
€100 - 5005 of 6
Media Nav screen goes blank, Bluetooth drops, or rearview camera stops working · more· less
The Spring's basic infotainment system is prone to glitches including unresponsive touchscreens, blank displays, intermittent Bluetooth connectivity, and rearview camera failures. In some cases the issue is traced to the CAN bus communication. A full system reset (disconnecting the 12V battery for 20 minutes) resolves many temporary glitches. If the Media Nav unit itself fails, replacement costs €300-500. Software updates from Dacia have addressed some of these issues, so verifying the car has the latest firmware is recommended.
Lighting and brake system TÜV failures
€50 - 3006 of 6
Headlight alignment, rear lights, and brake performance failed inspection at above-average rates on early cars · more· less
The TÜV Report 2026 found that dipped beam headlights and rear lights on the Spring fail inspection more often than average, likely due to cheaper bulbs and reflectors degrading faster. The foot brake and parking brake also showed above-average defect rates. Those results come from the earliest cars at their first inspection, and Dacia has since strengthened brake assistance, so treat them as an early-build finding rather than a fixed property of the model. While brake discs themselves wear slowly thanks to regenerative braking, the mechanical brake components and brake fluid condition need monitoring. Headlight alignment and bulb replacement are typically inexpensive (€50-100), but if the entire headlight assembly needs replacing it can cost €150-300.
Simple drivetrain, but budget build quality shows early
The electric motor and battery pack are mechanically straightforward and generally reliable. The Spring's problems stem from cost-cutting on supporting components: suspension wears prematurely, electrical connections cause gremlins, and build quality trails mainstream EVs. The 2026 TÜV Report showed a 13% substantial defect rate at first inspection versus a 6.5% average, measured on the earliest cars before Dacia's chassis and brake revisions. Most issues are individually inexpensive to fix, but they add up. Regular inspection of suspension components and keeping the 12V battery healthy are the two most important preventive measures.
Service history
Verify annual service records from a Dacia dealer or EV specialist. Check that brake fluid and coolant replacements are up to date.
Tires
Check tread depth and age. The Electric 45 runs 165/70 R14 and the Electric 65 runs 165/65 R15; both are cheap to replace, and wear patterns reveal suspension issues.
Test drive
Drive for at least 20 minutes including rough roads and sharp turns. Listen for suspension knocking and feel for steering play.
Battery state of health
Request a battery health check showing remaining capacity percentage. Avoid cars that have been exclusively fast-charged.
Specific for this vehicle
Check suspension for play and knocking
Drive over speed bumps and turn sharply at low speed. Any clunking or excessive body movement indicates worn dampers or wheel bearings, which are a known Spring weak point.
Test heating and air conditioning
Run the heater on maximum for several minutes. It should produce warm air quickly. Weak or absent heating indicates PTC heater or climate control unit issues.
Verify 12V battery condition
Ask when the 12V battery was last replaced. If the car has been sitting for days, a weak 12V battery suggests the known parasitic drain issue. Check for warning lights on startup.
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Test all infotainment functions
Check the touchscreen responsiveness, Bluetooth pairing, and rearview camera. The Media Nav system is known for glitches.
Inspect headlights and rear lights
Check all lighting functions carefully. TÜV data shows above-average lighting failure rates. Look for condensation inside light housings.
Verify charger action status
Dacia handled charging unit malfunctions through a manufacturer action rather than an official safety recall, and no production window was published. Confirm the exact car with a Dacia dealer using the VIN.
Check underbody and paint for corrosion
Inspect wheel arches, lower door edges, and underbody panels. The Spring has thinner paint protection than mainstream vehicles.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Onboard charger reprogramming, Romanian special technical operation and French action 0E3Q (5,936 cars, no published production window)Not an official recall - verify by VIN
Rear right seat belt retractor defect, action 0DYJ (April-October 2022 production)Verify completed
Steering rack risk of rupture, recall R/2025/490 launched 17 November 2025 (built 28 July - 17 August 2024)Critical - verify completed
Contact a Dacia dealer with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. Recall R/2025/490 for the steering rack launched on 17 November 2025 and is classified as stop-drive, meaning affected cars must not be driven until repaired; it covers cars built between 28 July and 17 August 2024. The charger work was handled as a manufacturer action rather than an official safety recall, so ask the dealer to check the exact VIN.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years / 100,000 km)Expired on 2021-2022 models, may remain on 2023+
High-voltage battery warranty (8 years / 120,000 km)Active on all models, 75% capacity guarantee
Rust perforation warranty (6 years)May still apply on newer models
Early Dacia Spring models (2021-2022) are now outside their 3-year factory warranty. The high-voltage battery remains covered for 8 years / 120,000 km with a 75% minimum capacity guarantee. Dacia offers extended warranty packages through dealers.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
