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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC: 19/100 versus 23/100 (both low risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Camshaft wear and pitting on the 2.0 K20 (Accord VII, CR-V II, Civic)».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

23

Low risk · 1 serious fault

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

18 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 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC reliable?

Naturally aspirated Honda petrol engines (K20/K24 and R20) with a timing chain. The only serious documented fault is camshaft wear in the early K20s (2003-2004); the R20A and K24Z show no serious faults in the sources consulted, and only isolated cases of oil consumption appear. The sample of testimonies is small.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

See the 2 of the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power83–109 hp150–200 hp
Production2004–2011[10][11][12][13][14]2001–2016[15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk23Low risk
Documented faults32
Of high or critical severity01
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: Camshaft wear and pitting on the 2.0 K20 (Accord VII, CR-V II, Civic)
  2. Low severity: Excessive oil consumption on the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC engine
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][14]
  • 2.0 i-VTEC 156 and 2.4 i-VTEC 200 (K family, Accord VII)[7]
  • 2.4 i-VTEC 200 hp (K24Z, Accord VIII)[6]
  • 2.0 i-VTEC 156 hp (R20A, Accord VIII)[6]
  • 2.0 i-VTEC 150-155 hp (R20A, CR-V III and IV)[4][5]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)[1][2][14]
  • 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)[2][14][18]
  • 2.0 i-VTEC Type R (K20Z, Civic VIII FN2)[15]
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

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

See the 7 models with the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

With the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

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. Fiabilidad Honda CR-V III: averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilidad Honda CR-V IV: averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilidad Honda Accord (2008-2015): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilidad Honda Accord (2003-2008): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  8. Honda Accord 8: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  9. Honda CR-V RM: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  10. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  15. Honda K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  16. Honda R engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  17. Honda AccordWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  18. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language