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1.4 T-Jet 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 1.4 T-Jet: 19/100 (low risk) versus 48/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 T-Jet has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or wear»; the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.4 T-Jet

48

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

25 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.4 T-Jet reliable?

Fiat's 1.4 T-Jet/MultiAir powers a large part of the group's turbo petrol range (Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Jeep) from 2007 onwards. Several models have accumulated reports of turbocharger failure, MultiAir/UniAir unit faults and high oil consumption; by contrast, there is no documented pattern of timing belt failure.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

See the 4 of the 1.4 T-Jet 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 1.4 T-Jet and 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
1.4 T-Jet1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,368 cm³—
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power105–205 hp83–109 hp
Production2007–2024[10][11][12][13]2004–2011[14][15][16][17][18]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk19Low risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityHigh severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or wear
  2. Medium severity: MultiAir (UniAir) electro-hydraulic unit failure
  3. Medium severity: High oil consumption
  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 repairup to €2,300Premature turbocharger failure or wearPublished figure[1][2]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)[9][18]
  • 1.5 and 1.6 16v DOHC 100-106 hp (A15DMS/A16DMS, Daewoo Lanos and Nubira, 1997-2008)[19][20]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 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][25]
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 1.4 T-Jet

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. Fiat 500X : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiat 500X : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Alfa Romeo MiTo : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Alfa Romeo MiTo : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Alfa Romeo Giulietta : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiat Tipo : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  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. Motor T-JetWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Fiat FIRE engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. MultiAirWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Motor FIREWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  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. Daewoo Nubira: zwawa, pakowna i taniaAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 20 February 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  20. Gdy koszty grają rolę - Daewoo/FSO Lanos (1997-2008)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 4 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  21. Fiat Bravo (2007-2014) : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  22. Fiat 500 (2007) : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  23. Jeep Renegade : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  24. Jeep Compass : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  25. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language