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1.2 8v Fire vs 1.0 TCe / SCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 8v Fire carries less risk than the 1.0 TCe / SCe: 20/100 (low risk) versus 41/100 (moderate risk). The 1.2 8v Fire has no documented serious faults; the 1.0 TCe / SCe has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «LPG (ECO-G) system faults and tank recall».

Risk index

1.2 8v Fire

20

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.0 TCe / SCe

41

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

17 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.2 8v 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 1.2 8v Fire faults

Is the 1.0 TCe / SCe reliable?

The 1.0 TCe/SCe (H4D/H4Dt) is a simply designed three-cylinder with reasonable reliability. Its most-cited fault is a noise or vibration from the turbo wastegate; the ECO-G (LPG) version adds its own gas-management faults and a 2023 recall over a risk of leaks and fire from the tank. An isolated case of a failed high-pressure pump is also documented, and no oil consumption pattern.[7][8][9]

See the 4 of the 1.0 TCe / SCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 8v Fire and 1.0 TCe / SCe
1.2 8v Fire1.0 TCe / SCe
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,242 cm³999 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power60–69 hp65–117 hp
Production1999–2020[10][11][12][13]since 2019[14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)20Low risk41Moderate risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityCritical 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. Critical severity: LPG (ECO-G) system faults and tank recall
  2. Medium severity: Metallic noise or vibration from the turbo wastegate
  3. Medium severity: Failed high-pressure fuel pump (isolated case)
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 SCe 65/75 (H4D, 2019-present)[7][16]
With cautionVersions to be cautious aboutNone
  • 1.0 TCe 90/100 (H4Dt, 2019-present)[7][16]
  • 1.0 TCe 110 (H4Dt, 2021-present)[17]
  • 1.0 ECO-G 100 (H4Dt + LPG, 2020-present)[7][8][17]
  • 1.0 DIG-T / IG-T 100-117 (HR10DDT, Nissan, 2017-present)[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 8v Fire

See the 7 models with the 1.2 8v Fire

1.0 TCe / SCe

See the 7 models with the 1.0 TCe / SCe

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 8v Fire

With the 1.0 TCe / SCe

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. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Dacia et Renault – nouveau rappel : fuite du réservoir GPL, risque d'incendie !Motorsactu · Motoring press · published 12 November 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité et pannes du Nissan Juke 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  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. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Nissan JukeWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia JoggerFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French