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MotorFiable

1.3 TCe vs 2.2 Ecotec gasolina: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3 TCe carries less risk than the 2.2 Ecotec gasolina: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 50/100 (high risk). The 1.3 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault»; the 2.2 Ecotec gasolina has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Stretched timing chain and seized tensioner on the 2.2 Ecotec».

Risk index

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.2 Ecotec gasolina

50

High risk · 1 serious fault

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

15 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.3 TCe reliable?

The 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T (H5Ht at Renault and Dacia, HR13DDT at Nissan, M282 at Mercedes-Benz), developed with Daimler since 2018, has a clearly better record than its predecessor, the 1.2 TCe: no oil consumption or chain problems have been documented. It had manufacturing defects that have since been corrected (injectors, calibration, turbo, timing) and, on the Captur II and Clio V, a fuel pump fuse failure with no confirmed official fix.[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the 1.3 TCe faults

Is the 2.2 Ecotec gasolina reliable?

This is the 2.2 petrol engine producing 147 to 155 hp in the Astra G, Zafira, Vectra and Signum. Its documented weak point is the timing chain, which stretches and can end in serious engine damage; the 2.2 Direct adds a high-pressure pump prone to failure.[4][5][6]

See the 2 of the 2.2 Ecotec gasolina faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 TCe and 2.2 Ecotec gasolina
1.3 TCe2.2 Ecotec gasolina
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,332 cm³2,198 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power109–163 hp147–155 hp
Productionsince 2018[3][7][8][9]2000–2010[10][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk50High risk
Documented faults52
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault
  2. High severity: Blown fuel pump fuse
  3. Medium severity: Unstable idle, juddering and stalling caused by the injectors
  1. Critical severity: Stretched timing chain and seized tensioner on the 2.2 Ecotec
  2. Medium severity: Faulty high-pressure pump or pressure regulator (P1191) on the 2.2 Direct
Most expensive documented repairup to €700Turbo actuator (wastegate) faultPublished figure[1][2]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 and Mild Hybrid (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, corrected production from 2020)[1]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, first series 2018-2020)[1]
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

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 TCe

With the 2.2 Ecotec gasolina

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. Renault-Dacia. Quel bilan fiabilité pour le moteur 1.3 TCe ?L'argus · Motoring press · published 5 April 2021 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité moteur 1.3 TCeAuto Platinium · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. PROTIPS febi 33044: tensor de cadena para los motores Opel 2.2 de gasolina (Z22YH y Z22SE)febi bilstein (Ferdinand Bilstein GmbH) · Technical documentation · published January 2019 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  5. Opel Vectra C: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  6. Opel Zafira B 2005-2014: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Mercedes-Benz M282 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Renault Scenic Zen TCe 103 kW (140 CV) GPF (2020-2021): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Opel Astra GWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Opel Zafira AWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Opel Vectra CWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. Opel Zafira BWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Fiabilité Opel Zafira (1999-2005): pannes par moteurFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  15. Blitz-Info: Opel Signum 2.2 L, año 2003-2004, motor Z22YH (testigo del motor encendido)Hella · Technical documentation · published 31 March 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German