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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs 1.0 and 1.1 Epsilon: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the 1.0 and 1.1 Epsilon: 19/100 (low risk) versus 43/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 1.0 and 1.1 Epsilon has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Crankshaft failure from the pulley bolts».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.0 and 1.1 Epsilon

43

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

20 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 1.0 and 1.1 Epsilon reliable?

Small four-cylinder 12-valve petrol engine (1.0 and 1.1) that Hyundai and Kia fitted to the Atos, Getz, Picanto I and i10 I. Its documented weak point is crankshaft failure caused by the pulley bolts on the Atos 1.1 and the Picanto, along with oil leaks and ignition and sensor faults.[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the 1.0 and 1.1 Epsilon faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 1.0 and 1.1 Epsilon
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II1.0 and 1.1 Epsilon
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power83–109 hp54–67 hp
Production2004–2011[7][8][9][10][11]1998–2013[12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk43Moderate risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityCritical 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. Critical severity: Crankshaft failure from the pulley bolts
  2. Medium severity: Oil leaks and oil consumption (crankshaft seal, sump and rings)
  3. Medium severity: Faults in coils, ignition leads, throttle body and crankshaft and camshaft sensors
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]
None
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]
  • 1.0 12v (G4HC, 55-58 hp, 1998-2003)[4]
  • 1.0 12v (G4HE, 61-62 hp, 2004-2011)[5][6]
  • 1.1 12v (G4HD and G4HG, 60-67 hp, 2002-2013)[4][5][6][19][20]
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 1.0 and 1.1 Epsilon

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. Hyundai Atos: Probleme, Schwachstellen und ServiceaktionAutoScout24 · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  5. Kia Picanto: Probleme, Schwachstellen und KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  6. Tous les problèmes sur Kia Picanto 2004-2011 (fiabilité, 86 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  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 Epsilon engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Hyundai AtosWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Hyundai Atos 1. Generation (1998-2003): ModellvariantenADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Hyundai i10Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  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. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  19. Tous les problèmes sur Hyundai i10 2007-2013 (fiabilité, témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  20. Tous les problèmes sur Hyundai Getz 2002-2010 (fiabilité, témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French