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1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire 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 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire: 19/100 versus 20/100 (both low risk). The 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire has no documented serious faults; the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire

20

Low risk · 0 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

26 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire reliable?

The 1.2 8v Fire is one of Fiat's simplest and most widespread petrol engines, with more than two decades in production and no serious or systemic faults documented. The sources consulted describe it as robust: its most-cited issues are isolated sensor failures (lambda sensor, crankshaft sensor), the ignition coil and somewhat high oil consumption at higher mileages; there is no pattern of timing belt breakage.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

See the 4 of the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire 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 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire and 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,242 cm³—
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power60–69 hp83–109 hp
Productionsince 1985[10][11][12][13]2004–2011[14][15][16][17][18]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)20Low risk19Low risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity00
Worst severityMedium severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Sensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC)
  2. Low severity: Oil consumption or leak, in one case from the rocker cover gasket
  3. Low severity: Faulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light)
  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
  • 1.2 8v SMPI 60-65 hp (1999-2009)[1]
  • 1.2 8v VVT 69 hp (2007-2020)[2][3][5][6]
  • 1.0, 1.3 and 1.4 8V Fire flex (Brazil, 2001-2017)[19]
  • 0.8 and 1.0 8V FIRE 34-50 hp (Panda, 1986-1994)[20]
  • 1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)[9][18]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.0 and 1.1 8V FIRE (European Uno, 1985-1994)[21]
  • 1.0 and 1.4 8V Fire Evo flex (Brazil, 2010-2021)[22]
  • 1.1 8V SPI/MPI 50-55 hp (1991-2010)[23][24]
  • 1.2 8V SPI/MPI 60-73 hp (1993-1999)[23]
  • 1.2 16V Fire 80 hp (Fiat Idea, 2004-2010)[25]
  • 1.4 8V Fire 77-78 hp (Fiat Idea, 2005-2011)[25]
  • 1.4 16V 95 hp (Fiat Idea, 2004-2010)[25]
  • 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][26]
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 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire

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. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Panda (2003-2012)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Panda (depuis 2012)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat 500Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Punto (Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiat Panda III (seit 2011) – Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 21 January 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Fiat 500 (ab 2007) – alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 24 November 2023 · consulted 27 September 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. Fiat FIRE engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Fiat 500 (2007)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Fiat Grande PuntoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Ford KaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 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. Fiat Palio: 10 dicas pra observar na hora de comprar um usadoVrum · Motoring press · published 14 June 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  20. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Panda (1980-2003): témoignages de propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  21. Fiat UnoWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  22. Fiat Uno custa pouco, mas acumula queixas dos donos do hatchAutoo · Motoring press · published 27 June 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  23. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Punto (1993-1999): témoignages de propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  24. Fiat Seicento: typowe usterki (opiniones de propietarios)Autocentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  25. DVSA: base de datos de llamadas a revisión de vehículos desde 1992 (Fiat Idea: R/2007/012)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 2 November 2026
  26. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language