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Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 vs 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6: 19/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate risk). The Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear»; the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

Audi 3.0 TFSI V6

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

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

22 sourcesHow we work

Is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 reliable?

The supercharged 3.0 TFSI (EA837, 2008-2018) has a reputation for reliability: Gebrauchtwagenberater sees no known problems in the A6 C7. What is documented is limited: thermostat and water pump leaks, a fuel rail recall campaign, chain wear in the first units, and carbon build-up. The turbocharged EA839 (from 2016) has no documented faults of its own yet.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

See the 5 of the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 faults

Is the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II reliable?

The 1.4 and 1.6 16v GM Daewoo E-TEC II (first-generation Lacetti/Optra and Aveo) have a timing belt and, according to the Polish press, a moderate fault record. Documented issues are faulty valves in the first units (2004-2005), lambda sensor faults and a few cases of oil leaks or oil consumption.[7][8][9]

See the 3 of the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 and 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
Audi 3.0 TFSI V61.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,995 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power272–450 hp83–109 hp
Productionsince 2008[10][11][12][13]2004–2011[14][15][16][17][18]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk19Low risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity20
Worst severityHigh severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear
  2. High severity: Fuel leak at the injection rails (2015 and 2019 campaigns)
  3. Medium severity: Leak at the thermostat housing and water pump
  1. Medium severity: Faulty valves and ignition faults in the first units (2004-2005)
  2. Low severity: Lambda sensor faults
  3. Low severity: Oil consumption and oil leaks
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 3.0 TFSI turbo (EA839: CZSE, DR, CWGD; 2016 onwards)[6]
  • 2.9 TFSI twin-turbo (EA839: DECA, DKMB; 2016 onwards)[6][10]
  • 1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)[9][18]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 3.0 TFSI 290 hp supercharged (CAJA, CGWA; 2008-2013)[1][5][19]
  • 3.0 TFSI 300/310 hp supercharged (CGWB, CGWD, CGXB, CTUA; 2010-2014)[3][5][20]
  • 3.0 TFSI 333 hp supercharged, direct injection (CAKA, CJTB, CTWA, CTUB; 2008-2015)[2][3][19]
  • 3.0 TFSI 333 hp evo supercharged with combined injection (CREC; 2014-2018)[4][5][20][21]
  • 3.0 TFSI 272 hp supercharged (CTUC, CTVA, CMUA, CJTC; 2010-2017)[2]
  • SQ5 3.0 TFSI 354 hp supercharged (2013-2017)[2]
  • 1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)[7][8][18]
  • 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)[8][18][22]
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 Audi 3.0 TFSI V6

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

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. Audi A6 C7 4G 2011-2018 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  2. Audi Q5: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  3. Undichtigkeit im Einspritzsystem: Audi-Rückruf läuft bereitsÖAMTC · Consumer association · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  4. Audi: Ersatz des KraftstoffverteilersÖAMTC · Consumer association · published 19 February 2019 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  5. Audi A6 C7: typische Probleme und Diagnose mit ODISKfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich (blog de taller) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  6. Audi A6 C8: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  7. Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4 16V - Niełatwo zdobyć zaufanieAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 19 November 2007 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  8. Bez fajerwerków - Chevrolet Lacetti (2003-2010)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 7 April 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  9. Czy warto kupić: używany Chevrolet Aveo (od 2002 do 2011)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 5 March 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  10. List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines (EA837 y EA839)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  11. Audi Técnica Motor 3.0 TFSI (2008)km77.com · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Audi 3.0 TFSIAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 27 June 2008 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  13. Used Audi A4 buying guide 2008-2015 (Mk4)Carbuyer · Motoring press · published 7 February 2019 · consulted 9 October 2026
  14. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  15. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  17. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  18. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  19. Gebrauchter Audi A6 und S6 C7 ZuverlässigkeitsleitfadenEuro Premium Parts (blog de recambista) · Other source · published 29 November 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  20. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (R/2015/031 y R/2019/099)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  21. Audi A6 berlina 3.0 TFSI 333 CV quattro S tronic 7 vel. (2014-2017)km77.com · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
  22. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language