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1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet carries less risk than the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI: 6/100 (low risk) versus 84/100 (very high risk). The 1.2 and 1.4 TSI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)»; the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.2 and 1.4 TSI

84

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet

6

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

27 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The chain-driven 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA111 engines (2006-2015) carry a recognised problem of chain stretch and tensioner failure, and the 1.4 twincharger engines from before 2012 can break pistons. The belt-driven EA211 engines (from 2012) are considerably more reliable: their typical fault is a leaking water pump.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 5 of the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI faults

Is the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet reliable?

The Suzuki Boosterjet (1.0 K10C and 1.4 K14C/K14D) is a turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine with a timing chain, fitted since 2015 to the Vitara, S-Cross, Swift Sport and Baleno, with a 48 V mild-hybrid variant of the 1.4 since 2020. German TÜV inspection reports and the workshops we consulted rate its reliability as high: no widespread fault with the chain, oil, fuel pump or mild-hybrid system is documented.[6][7][8][9][10]

See the 4 of the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 and 1.4 TSI and 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet
1.2 and 1.4 TSI1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power85–185 hp110–140 hp
Productionsince 2006[11][12][13][14][15]since 2015[6][16][17][18]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)84Very high risk6Low risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity30
Worst severityCritical severityLow severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)
  2. Critical severity: Piston breakage and oil consumption in the 1.4 TSI twincharger
  3. Medium severity: Water pump and thermostat housing leak (EA211)
  1. Low severity: Timing chain: no documented pattern of failures
  2. Low severity: Oil consumption: no documented pattern
  3. Low severity: Direct injection and fuel pump: no documented faults or recalls
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,400Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)Published figure[19][20]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.2 TSI 86-110 hp (EA211, CJZA/CJZB/CJZC/CJZD, CYVA/CYVB, 2012-2019)[3][21]
  • 1.4 TSI 122-150 hp (EA211, incl. ACT/COD; CMBA, CXSA, CZCA, CHPA, CPTA, CZDA, CZEA…, from 2012)[3][5]
  • 1.0 Boosterjet 110-112 hp (K10C, three-cylinder, 2015-present)[7][8][22][23]
  • 1.4 Boosterjet 140 hp (K14C, non-hybrid, 2015-2020 in Europe)[7][8][24]
  • 1.4 Boosterjet Mild Hybrid 129 hp (K14D, 48V SHVS, since 2020)[17][18]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.2 TSI 86/90/105 hp (EA111, CBZA/CBZC/CBZB, 2009-2015)[2][25]
  • 1.4 TSI twincharger revised 160-185 hp (EA111, CTHD/CTHE/CTHG, from 2012)[2][4]
  • 1.4 TSI 122/125 hp (EA111, CAXA/CAXC, from 2007)[2][26]
None
AvoidVersions to avoid
  • 1.4 TSI twincharger 140-185 hp (EA111, BMY/BLG/CAVD/CAVE…, 2006-2012)[2][4][27]
None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.2 and 1.4 TSI

See the 31 models with the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI

1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet

See the 12 models with the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI

With the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. VW 1.2 TSI & 1.4 TSI Steuerkette: VW kassiert Kulanz-VersprechenAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 1 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. Probleme und Schwachstellen beim 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI (EA111)Gebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · published 1 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  4. Volkswagen CAVD 1.4 Litre TSI Engine ProblemsGrant Walker (taller, Australia) · Other source · published 28 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
  5. VW Golf 7: Probleme, Mängel & Schwachstellencarwiki.de · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  6. Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Gebrauchtwagen-Check: Grundsätzlich gut: Der Suzuki Vitara beim TÜVVolksstimme (dpa) · General press · published January 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Suzuki Swift als Gebrauchtwagen: Diese Punkte beanstandet der TÜV häufigT-Online · General press · published October 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Los mecánicos recomiendan el Suzuki Vitara porque no presume de moderno, sino de sencillo y baratoEl Nacional · General press · published September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Test complet Suzuki VitaraFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Self-Study Programme 359: 1.4l TSI Engine with Dual-chargingVolkswagen AG (copia alojada en volkspage.net) · Manufacturer · published March 2006 · consulted 26 September 2026
  12. Volkswagen EA111 engine (1.2 TSI/TFSI)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  13. Volkswagen EA211 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. Audi A1Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  15. International Driving Presentation of the new Polo BlueGTVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 2 July 2012 · consulted 26 September 2026
  16. Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Suzuki Swift Sport, Vitara y S-Cross: nuevas versiones micro-híbridas de 48VAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 16 December 2019 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Suzuki S-Cross 1.4 Boosterjet Mild Hybrid 2020: precios y datos del nuevo SUVAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 12 March 2020 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Coste de cambiar la cadena de distribución: guía VW Audi TSISkanyx · Other source · published 25 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  20. Problemas en la cadena de distribución: casos y costeGT Autos (Málaga) · Other source · published 22 December 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  21. VW: Austritt von Motoröl möglichautoservicepraxis.de · Motoring press · published 16 August 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  22. Suzuki Vitara : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  23. Suzuki Swift 3 : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  24. Prueba Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4 Boosterjet 140 CVActualidad Motor · Motoring press · published 16 May 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  25. Bei älteren VW 1.2 TSi-Motoren: Gefahr einer Längung der Steuerkettefebi bilstein (blog técnico) · Technical documentation · published 28 January 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  26. ADAC Pannenstatistik 2019 (anexo: defectos por encima de la media por modelo)ADAC e.V. · Reliability study · published 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  27. Bulletin – Volkswagen 1.4 Piston FailureSouthside Cylinder Heads (taller, Australia) · Other source · published 6 December 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026