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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs Family II 2.0 and 2.4 gasolina: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the Family II 2.0 and 2.4 gasolina: 19/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the Family II 2.0 and 2.4 gasolina has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo failures (actuator, vacuum hoses and bearings) on the 2.0 Turbo».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

Family II 2.0 and 2.4 gasolina

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

23 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3]

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

Is the Family II 2.0 and 2.4 gasolina reliable?

GM's Family II covers everything from the 16-valve 2.0 of the Astra F GSi and the Vectra B to the 2.0 Turbo of the Astra and Zafira OPC, and the 2.4 of the Captiva and Antara. The guides point to clear faults only in the turbos (turbo, valve stem seals, gaskets that sweat oil) and in the cylinder head gasket of the C20XE.[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the Family II 2.0 and 2.4 gasolina faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and Family II 2.0 and 2.4 gasolina
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC IIFamily II 2.0 and 2.4 gasolina
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power83–109 hp110–240 hp
Production2004–2011[7][8][9][10][11]1988–2011[4][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults34
Of high or critical severity02
Worst severityMedium severityHigh severity
Main faults
  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
  1. High severity: Turbo failures (actuator, vacuum hoses and bearings) on the 2.0 Turbo
  2. High severity: Cylinder head gasket and porous head on the C20XE of the Astra F GSi
  3. Medium severity: Blue smoke on cold start and oil consumption (valve stem seals) on the 2.0 Turbo
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)[3][11]
  • 1.5 and 1.6 16v DOHC 100-106 hp (A15DMS/A16DMS, Daewoo Lanos and Nubira, 1997-2008)[14][15]
  • 2.4 136-140 hp (Z24XE, 2006-2011)[16]
  • 2.0 16V 126-133 hp (X20SED, Daewoo Nubira, 1997-2003)[14][17]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)[1][2][11]
  • 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)[2][11][18]
  • 2.0 GSi 16V 150 hp (C20XE, 1991-1996)[4][6]
  • 2.0 16V 136-160 hp (X20XEV and X20XER, 1994-2002)[19]
  • 2.0 Turbo 190-200 hp (Z20LET, 2000-2005)[5][20]
  • 2.0 Turbo 170-240 hp (Z20LEL, Z20LER and Z20LEH, 2004-2010)[5][21]
  • 2.0 8V 110-116 hp (C20NE, X20SE and 20NEJ, 1992-2005)[22]
  • 2.0 16V 127 hp (U20SED, Chevrolet Optra Mexico, 2006-2010)[23]
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 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

With the Family II 2.0 and 2.4 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. Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4 16V - Niełatwo zdobyć zaufanieAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 19 November 2007 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  2. Bez fajerwerków - Chevrolet Lacetti (2003-2010)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 7 April 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  3. 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
  4. GM Family II engineWikipedia (en) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. Vauxhall Astra VXR: PH Used Buying GuidePistonHeads · Motoring press · published 22 August 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Opel Astra FWikipedia (de) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  12. Opel Astra HWikipedia (de) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. Opel Zafira BWikipedia (de) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Daewoo Nubira: zwawa, pakowna i taniaAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 20 February 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  15. Gdy koszty grają rolę - Daewoo/FSO Lanos (1997-2008)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 4 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  16. Chevrolet Captiva: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  17. Daewoo NubiraWikipedia (en) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  18. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  19. Fiabilité Opel Astra (1998-2004): pannes par moteurFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  20. Fiabilité Opel Zafira (1999-2005): pannes par moteurFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  21. Vauxhall Astra VXR | PH Used Buying GuidePistonHeads · Motoring press · published 16 January 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026
  22. Carro usado: Chevrolet VectraAutoPapo · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  23. Chevrolet OptraWikipedia (es) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish