The Dacia Duster was first introduced in 2009 and the SUV is now in the second generation (mark 2). Detailed below are the Dacia Duster dashboard warning lights for both generations. New generations include the Duster Access, Essential, Comfort and Prestige.
TheDacia Duster Dash Lights
Never ignore a warning light and if you’re unsure of its meaning, page should help you to find out. TheDacia Duster warning lights illuminate on the dashboard in different colours. Blue and green symbols represent a system or utility that has been activated.
Orange or yellow represent something that soon requires attention, or something that has been switched off when by default, it’s on (with engine start).
Red symbolises danger and in the case of warning lights, red, flashing red and possibly along with an audible chime represents an urgent issue. Failure to take action on certain faults may potentially result in the safety of vehicle occupants being compromised and/or vehicle damage occurring. Detailed are theDacia Duster dashboard warning lights, with each symbol meaning and what action to take.
Critical Warning Lights
These are the Dacia Duster red critical warning lights which require immediate attention and in most cases, will require you to stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and discontinue your drive.
Name: Electric / Electronic (Red)
Description: The red electric bolt symbol is the Dacia Duster electric / electronic fault light. If this symbol illuminates in red and is accompanied by a alarm beep whilst driving, it indicates a critical electrical or electronic malfunction that may result in a risk to vehicle occupant safety.
What to Do: Taking road and traffic conditions into account, pull over and stop as soon as possible. Switch off the engine and do not continue your journey. Contact a Dacia qualified engineer. You may need to arrange for recovery.
Name: Battery
Description: The Dacia Duster battery charge warning light comes on in red when a fault has been detected with the electric charging circuit. The circuit is either overcharged or not charging at all. Possible fault with battery alternator / generator.
What to Do: Engine is likely to switch off soon. Immediately switch off any utilities that consume electric and that are not essential as this may help to prolong the running of the engine. Find a safe place to stop and call a Dacia qualified engineer for assistance.
Name: Oil Pressure
Description: Oil is critical to the engine as it keeps all the components lubricated. If the Dacia Duster low oil pressure warning light comes on, (maybe be accompanied by a alarm beep) oil may not circulate the engine correctly due to low pressure. There is a risk of significant engine damage.
What to Do: Observe traffic and road conditions and as soon as safe to do so, stop and switch off the engine. Using the dip stick, check engine oil levels and if necessary, add oil. Check to see if warning light has gone out and if it has, you can continue to drive. If the level is normal (within the MIN. and MAX. markers), do not attempt to restart the engine.
Name: Overheating
Description: This is the Dacia Duster engine overheating warning light. If this light comes onto the dashboard in red, it indicates the engine coolant has overheated.
What to Do: If you have been driving the engine hard and/or carrying a heavy load, stop and allow the engine to cool down – keep the engine running at idle for a few minutes. If the warning light remains on, switch off the engine and allow to cool for 10 – 15 minutes. Check the coolant level. If coolant level is below the MIN. marker, add coolant as required.
Name: Brake Circuit
Description: The illumination of the ABS warning light and the handbrake on (red exclamation mark) / brake light indicates a brake circuit failure. This could be an indication of a major failure within the braking system.
What to Do: If both of these lights come on together on the Dacia Duster dashboard, stop your vehicle as soon as it’s safe to do so and call a qualified Dacia engineer for assistance. It is not safe to continue your journey.
Name: STOP
Description: The Dacia Duster STOP warning light will illuminate alongside another warning light. This is an indication of a critical malfunction that may risk the safety of vehicle occupants.
What to Do: You must stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the engine and do not continue to drive. Consult with a qualified Dacia engineer – vehicle recovery may be necessary.
Non-critical Warning Lights
These Dacia Duster warning lights are non-critical but will require attention as soon as possible.
Name: Electric / Electronic (Amber)
Description: The amber / yellow Dacia Duster electrical fault warning light typically illuminates on the dash alongside another warning light.
What to Do: Less critical than the red electric fault light, this orange light indicates an electrical fault has been detected but you can continue to drive. Have system checked as soon as possible.
Name: ABS
Description: The Dacia Duster ABS light should as a self-test come on with the ignition key turned to ON and go out shortly after. If the Antilock Brake System (ABS) light fails to come on at all or comes on when driving, the ABS system has malfunctioned.
What to Do: ABS technology acts as an additional safety feature on top of your normal brakes. The system helps to prevent locking wheels, particularly during forceful braking. This, in turn enables the driver to continue to steer the vehicle whereas this isn’t possible with locked wheels. If the ABS system fails, normal brakes will continue to work. There is a risk of locked wheels without ABS – the fault is usually a sensor malfunction, have system checked as soon as possible.
Name: Handbrake / Brake
Description: The red exclamation mark contained in a circle is the Dacia Duster handbrake or brake warning light. The symbol illuminates on the dashboard when the handbrake is applied or if there is insufficient brake fluid.
What to Do: Check that the handbrake is fully released. If it is and the light remains on, check brake fluid levels. It may be dangerous to continue if brake fluid levels are too low.
Name: Diesel Pre-heat
Description: This symbol is for diesel versions of the Dacia Duster and comes on with ignition. The pre-heat / glow plugs light goes out when the engine is ready to start.
What to Do: If the pre-heating light does not come on at all, or stays on when driving, it may be an indication of faulty glow plugs. Symptoms are difficulty starting the engine – particularity during cold weather and rough sounding engine at startup.
An always on or flashing glow plug / diesel pre-heat light isn’t always related to a fault with the glow plugs. Diagnostic equipment is required to read the fault codes. If the diesel pre-heat light illuminates along with along with the electrical orange ‘sine waves’ fault light it indicates an electrical or electronic fault.
Name: Airbag
Description: As a self-check, the Dacia Duster illuminates on the dash shortly as you start the engine or switch the ignition to ON. If the symbol fails to illuminate at all, comes on or flashes when driving, a fault has been detected with the airbag system. Airbags may not be deployed during an accident.
What to Do: Some of the airbag / restrain system components are located under the front passenger seat and occasionally connections become dislodged. Ensure connections are firmly in place.
Name: Low Fuel
Description: This is the low fuel warning light. Depending on your model of Dacia Duster, the warning light comes on, possibly accompanied by an alarm beep.
What to Do: Fill up with fuel as soon as possible. There is approximately 30 miles (50 km) worth of fuel remaining after the warning light first comes on.
Name: 4WD Lock mode
Description: The Dacia Duster has a 4 wheel drive option. The 4WD Lock mode distributes the engine torque between the front and rear axles in order to optimise the performance capacity of the vehicle when off-road. 4WD Lock mode should only be used in driving conditions such as mud, steep slopes, sand etc.
What to Do: If the 4WD Lock mode light begins to flash, mechanical components related to 4WD are overheating. Stop as soon as possible to allow components to cool and until the light stops flashing. The system may automatically switch to 2WD Mode to protest the system.
Name: 2WD
Description: The Dacia Duster 2 wheel drive (2WD) option is preferred for the majority of driving conditions as it’s more fuel efficient.
What to Do:If the comes on along with the electrical fault light, have vehicle checked as soon as possible. This fault may be resolved by changing the tyres and by ensuring that you fit identical tyres – same brand, profile and similar wear.
Name: Exhaust Gas
Description: This ‘engine warning light’ is the Dacia Duster exhaust gas monitoring system. The exhaust gas monitoring system analysis and detects operating faults in the vehicle’s antipollution system. In the event of a malfunction, toxic substances may be released into the atmosphere or damage may occur. This warning light may either illuminate always on, or flash.
What to Do: Always on – toxic emissions have been detected. Consult an authorised Dacia engineer.
Flashing – reduce engine speed until the warning light stops flashing. If the light stays on or continues to flash, if you notice the engine under-performing and/or no longer running smoothly, have vehicle checked immediately as there’s a risk of potential damage.
If the exhaust gas / engine maagement light comes on along with the electrical fault orange light , it’s likley a ‘intermittent engine misfire warning’. This may be cause by faulty spark plugs, spark plug wires, ignition coil etc. Have vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Name: ESP
Description: ESP or Electronic Stability Control Program with understeer and traction control helps the driver to keep control of the vehicle when entering critical driving conditions such as a loss of grip. When the system is engaged and assisting the driver, the Dacia Duster ESP warning light flashes in the dashboard instrument panel.
What to Do: If the ESP warning light along with the electrical orange ‘sine waves’ fault light , a fault has been detected with the ESP system. The system is deactivated. You can still drive the vehicle but have system checked as soon as possible.
Name: ECO Mode
Description: The Dacia Duster ECO mode is a function which helps to reduce fuel consumption.
What to Do: To help conserve fuel:
- At cold engine start, rather than letting the engine warm up when stationary, drive carefully for the first few miles until the engine reaches its normal operating temperature.
- Drive with a light right foot.
- Use the highest gear possible.
- Avoid harsh or sudden acceleration.
- Use the engine to slow down when possible rather than the brake pedal.
Name: Diesel Filter
Description: Over time, water can accumulate in the diesel fuel tank. The Dacia Duster diesel fuel filter separates the water from the diesel ensuring no engine damage occurs.
What to Do: If you see this warning light come on, have the diesel water separator filter drained.
Name: Engine Immobiliser
Description: Engine immobiliser prevents the vehicle from being driven by any person who is not in possession of the vehicle’s coded ignition key. If the vehicle does not recognise the key, the Dacia Duster engine immobiliser warning light continuously flash and the engine cannot be started.
What to Do: If you are attempting to start the vehicle using the correct key and the vehicle is still unable to start, use the second key or replace the batteries. If the vehicle engine still cannot be started, there is a fault with the Dacia Duster engine immobiliser system.
Name: Tyre Pressure
Description: The Dacia Duster tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) detects a loss of pressure in one or more of the tyres by measuring the wheel speed while driving. The tyre pressure light comes on when a puncture or a loss of pressure under the set values stored is detected.
What to Do: Check tyre pressures as soon as possible. For further information on the types of tyre pressure monitoring systems equipped on the Dacia Duster and the reset procedure, see Dacia Duster tyre pressure warning light.
Name: Oil Change
Description: This is the Dacia Duster engine oil change warning light. For this warning light, the distance between oil change intervals is taken into account and not the time – therefore the engine oil may require changing before the warning light comes on.
What to Do: Change the engine oil as soon as possible.
Name: Stop / Start
Description: The Dacia Duster automatic engine stop / start system helps to reduce fuel consumption and toxic exhaust emissions. When the system is working, a green light illuminates on the dashboard. When certain conditions have not been met for the system to operate, this amber symbol will illuminate.
What to Do: To find out possible reasons why the stop / start system is not functioning, see Dacia stop / start not working.
