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1.2 TCe vs 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT carries less risk than the 1.2 TCe: 25/100 (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 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt failure due to overdue maintenance».

Risk index

1.2 TCe

54

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 16v F4R and F4RT

25

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

14 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 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT reliable?

In the sources we consulted, the 2.0-litre F4R and F4RT show no engine-destroying design faults, but the timing belt must be changed on time, and the coils (RS) and the variable valve timing pulley appear as weak points. We have found no reliable sources on oil consumption or big-end bearings.[6][7][8][9]

See the 3 of the 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 TCe and 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT
1.2 TCe2.0 16v F4R and F4RT
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,197 cm³1,998 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power100–130 hp135–250 hp
Production2012–2018[1][2][5][10][11]since 2000[12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk25Moderate risk
Documented faults23
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure
  2. High severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage
  1. Critical severity: Timing belt failure due to overdue maintenance
  2. Medium severity: Faulty camshaft variable valve timing pulley
  3. Medium severity: F4RT ignition coil failure
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]
  • 2.0 16v naturally aspirated 135-197 hp (F4R)[6][7]
  • 2.0 turbo 165-250 hp (F4RT)[8][9]
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

2.0 16v F4R and F4RT

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 TCe

With the 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT

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. Pannes Renault Mégane 2 (testimonios por motorización)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité occasion Renault Mégane II (2002-2009)CarVerif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  8. Renaultsport Megane checkpointsevo · Motoring press · published 20 November 2008 · consulted 5 October 2026
  9. RenaultSport Megane 225 buying guide, history and reviewOctane · Motoring press · published 7 February 2025 · consulted 5 October 2026
  10. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  11. H-Typrenaultfans.info · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  12. Moteur F Renault (F4R y F4RT)Wikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  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