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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha: 19/100 versus 23/100 (both low risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha

23

Low risk · 0 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 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha reliable?

Naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with a timing belt, which Hyundai and Kia fitted as the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 in the Getz, the Rio II, the Elantra XD and the Cerato I. Buying guides describe it as reliable and durable (250,000-350,000 km with maintenance), with oil consumption and leaks, coils and the throttle, and valve train wear as typical complaints.[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power83–109 hp82–112 hp
Production2004–2011[7][8][9][10][11]2000–2011[12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk23Low risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity00
Worst severityMedium severityMedium 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. Medium severity: Oil consumption and leaks from the sump, crankshaft seal and breather
  2. Medium severity: Wear of the camshafts, hydraulic tappets and intermediate chain
  3. Low severity: Faults with the ignition coils and the throttle body
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)[16][17]
  • 1.4 16v (G4EE, 97 hp, 2005-2011)[4][18]
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][19]
  • 1.3 12v (G4EH, 82-85 hp, 2002-2005)[4][18][20]
  • 1.6 16v (G4ED and G4ED-G, 105-112 hp, 2000-2011)[5][21]
  • 1.3 12v SOHC (G4EA and G4EH, 60-86 hp, Accent 1994-2005)[22][23]
  • 1.5 12v SOHC (G4EK and G4EB, 88-91 hp, 1994-2005)[22][23]
  • 1.5 16v DOHC (G4FK and G4EC, 99-107 hp, 1995-2005)[22][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 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

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. Hyundai Getz: typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 November 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  5. Kia Cerato I с пробегом: неудачные механические коробки и шумные, но надёжные моторыKolesa.ru · Motoring press · published 28 February 2019 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  6. Hyundai Getz: Autokatalog mit Zuverlässigkeit und SchwachstellenPKW.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · 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. Hyundai Alpha engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Hyundai Getz 1. Generation (2002-2005): ModellvariantenADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Kia Rio JB (2005-2009): ModellvariantenADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Hyundai Elantra 1. Generation (XD): 1.6 GLS und SchwachstellenADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  16. Daewoo Nubira: zwawa, pakowna i taniaAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 20 February 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  17. Gdy koszty grają rolę - Daewoo/FSO Lanos (1997-2008)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 4 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  18. Tous les problèmes sur Hyundai Getz 2002-2010 (fiabilité, témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  19. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  20. Hyundai Getz ab 2002: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  21. Hyundai Elantra XD с пробегом: под хруст гранат и стук клапановKolesa.ru · Motoring press · published 1 November 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  22. Used Hyundai Accent review: 2000-2012CarsGuide · Motoring press · published 26 April 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026
  23. Used Hyundai Excel review: 1994-2000CarsGuide · Motoring press · published 13 February 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026