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MotorFiable

1.2 TCe vs 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E carries less risk than the 1.2 TCe: 30/100 (moderate risk) versus 54/100 (high risk). The 1.2 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption and engine failure»; the 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.2 TCe

54

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E

30

Moderate 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

16 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.2 TCe reliable?

Only with reservations: 1.2 TCe and 1.2 DIG-T engines built between 2012 and mid-2016 can burn a lot of oil because of poor piston ring sealing, with a risk of damaging the valves, stretching the chain or destroying the engine. Renault and Nissan dealt with it through technical notes and case-by-case assistance, without a recall; later production incorporates the fix.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 2 of the 1.2 TCe faults

Is the 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E reliable?

The 1.8 and 2.0 litre Zetec-E engines in the Focus I are simple naturally aspirated petrol engines that, according to the sources, have no recurring serious fault. The most frequently mentioned issue is the plastic thermostat housing, which deforms and leaks coolant; in addition, Ford issued a recall in 2000 to replace the oil filler cap on 1.8 and 2.0 units built up to December 1999.[6][7][8]

See the 3 of the 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 TCe and 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E
1.2 TCe1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,197 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power100–130 hp115–130 hp
Production2012–2018[1][2][5][9][10]1991–2004[6][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk30Moderate risk
Documented faults23
Of high or critical severity20
Worst severityCritical severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure
  2. High severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage
  1. Medium severity: Plastic thermostat housing: coolant leaks
  2. Medium severity: Loose oil filler cap and oil leak onto the exhaust
  3. Low severity: Dirty idle control valve: unstable idle
Most expensive documented repairup to €10,000Excessive oil consumption and engine failurePublished figure[1][2][13][14]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.2 TCe 100-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built from mid-2016)[2][5]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.2 TCe 115-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built up to mid-2016)[2][3][14]
  • 1.8 Zetec-E 16v 115 hp (Focus I, 1998-2004)[6][7]
  • 2.0 Zetec-E 16v 130 hp (Focus I, 1998-2004)[6][7][15]
  • 1.6 Zetec-E 16v 90 and 95 hp (Mondeo II, 1996-2000)[11][16]
  • 1.8 Zetec-E 16v 115 hp (Mondeo II, 1996-2000)[16]
  • 2.0 Zetec-E 16v 131 hp (Mondeo II, 1996-2000)[16]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

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 TCe

See the 16 models with the 1.2 TCe

1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 TCe

With the 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E

Compare other engines

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Sources

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

  1. Moteur 1.2 Renault - 400 000 voitures en dangerUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 24 May 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  2. Casse moteur Renault 1.2 TCe : 107 000 Renault concernéesL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 March 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. Renault 1.2 TCe et Nissan 1.2 DIG-T : des moteurs gourmands en huileL'argus · Motoring press · published 12 October 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. Moteur 1.2 Renault - Les constructeurs minimisentUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 31 July 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  5. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  6. Ford Focus MK1 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 5 October 2023 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. Fiabilité et pannes du Ford Focus 1 (1998-2004)fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  8. Ford Focus recall R/2000/003: oil filler cap may become looseAutoinsider (datos DVSA) · Other source · published 20 March 2000 · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. H-Typrenaultfans.info · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. Ford Zeta engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Ford FocusWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Problème moteur Renault-Dacia 1.2 TCe, Nissan 1.2 DIG-T et Mercedes - Vos questions, nos réponsesUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 24 May 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  15. Ford Focus [MK1] [C170] (2002 - 2005) used car model guideExchange & Mart · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Ford Mondeo 1993-2001: fiabilité et pannes (témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French