According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2020 Renault Sandero has 2 documented known issues. No issues are rated critical, indicating generally reliable ownership. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $30 to $250. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 2017-2023 Renault Sandero, the 1.0 SCe three-cylinder engine used in the Brazilian Sandero from the 2017 model year has a chronic oil leak at the plastic valve (tappet) cover. The cover's sealing degrades with heat cycles at low mileage — owners on Reclame Aqui describe it as a design defect — and oil seeps into the spark plug wells, soaking the spark plugs and the tips of the ignition coils. This causes misfires, rough running, and repeat fouling of new plugs and coils. Reclame Aqui complaints document leaks appearing on cars with as little as 20,000-30,000 km, sometimes recurring after dealer repair, and related seepage from the timing cover area on the side of the engine. Separately, Renault issued an official recall (service start September 2020) for 1.0-engined units produced July 2019 to January 2020 because a non-conforming oil feed orifice could starve the engine of lubrication, risking seizure or fire — affected owners should confirm completion at a dealer.
Common Symptoms
Oil seepage visible around the valve cover edges
Oil pooled in the spark plug wells when plugs are removed
Engine misfire or rough idle
Oil-fouled spark plugs and oily ignition coil tips
Burning oil smell from the engine bay
How to Fix
Replace or reseal the valve cover with an updated gasket/sealant, clean the spark plug wells, and replace oil-fouled spark plugs and any saturated ignition coils. Inspect the timing cover joint at the same time, as it is a secondary leak point on the same engine. The job is inexpensive at an independent shop; the main cost driver is replacement coils if oil has damaged them. For 2020-build cars, check the official Renault recall portal (renault.com.br/recall) for the open oil-feed-orifice lubrication recall, which is repaired free of charge.
On the 2008-2022 Renault Sandero, sandero and its Logan twin suffer a chronic wear problem in the steering column's upper bearing. As the bearing wears, the steering wheel develops perceptible free play and a knocking or clunking sensation, felt especially over rough Brazilian pavement and during small corrections around center. Multiple independent Brazilian mechanic channels document the failure across both generations — including cars as recent as the 2020 Logan — and consistently call it a 'defeito crônico' of the platform. Dealers have been known to quote replacement of the complete steering column, but the documented root cause is just the column bearing, a cheap part. While mostly a nuisance, pronounced play degrades steering precision and several mechanics flag it as an accident risk if ignored long-term.
Common Symptoms
Free play in the steering wheel before the wheels respond
Knocking or clunking felt in the steering wheel over bumps
Clicking or rattling noise from the steering column
Vague, imprecise steering around center
Noise when shaking the wheel with the car parked
How to Fix
Confirm the diagnosis by checking for free rotation play at the steering wheel with the front wheels held still — wear in the column bearing produces play and noise at the column itself rather than at the rack or tie rods (rule those out first, especially on cars covered by the steering recalls). Replace the steering column upper bearing; the part costs little and the job is a few hours' labor at an independent shop. Replacing the entire column assembly is unnecessary in the typical case and should only be needed if the shaft splines or tube are themselves damaged.
What are the most common Renault Sandero problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2020 Renault Sandero has 2 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 1.0 SCe Valve Cover Oil Leak Soaking Spark Plug Wells and Coils, Steering Column Bearing Wear Causing Play and Knocking in the Steering Wheel. None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.
Is the Renault Sandero reliable?
The 2020 Renault Sandero has 2 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. No issues are rated critical, suggesting generally good reliability. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Renault Sandero problems?
Repair costs for known Renault Sandero issues range from $30 to $250, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2017-2023 Renault Sandero 1.0 SCe Valve Cover Oil Leak Soaking Spark Plug Wells and Coils?
The 1.0 SCe three-cylinder engine used in the Brazilian Sandero from the 2017 model year has a chronic oil leak at the plastic valve (tappet) cover. The cover's sealing degrades with heat cycles at low mileage — owners on Reclame Aqui describe it as a design defect — and oil seep… Repairs typically run $60-$250. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2022 Renault Sandero Steering Column Bearing Wear Causing Play and Knocking in the Steering Wheel?
Sandero and its Logan twin suffer a chronic wear problem in the steering column's upper bearing. As the bearing wears, the steering wheel develops perceptible free play and a knocking or clunking sensation, felt especially over rough Brazilian pavement and during small correction… Repairs typically run $30-$120. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
