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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG: 19/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Stretched timing chain or worn tensioner and guides».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.5/1.6/1.8 QG

36

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

19 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 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG reliable?

The petrol QG engines in the Almera N16 and the Primera P12 are simple chain-driven units with no documented catastrophic faults, but the 1.8 often uses oil, and the timing chain and position sensors have recalls and technical notices. Keep an eye on the oil level and on timing chain noise.[4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II1.5/1.6/1.8 QG
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power83–109 hp90–116 hp
Production2004–2011[8][9][10][11][12]1998–2009[5][6][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults33
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: Stretched timing chain or worn tensioner and guides
  2. Medium severity: High oil consumption in the 1.8 QG18DE
  3. Medium severity: Crankshaft and camshaft position sensor failure
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][12]
  • 1.5 and 1.6 16v DOHC 100-106 hp (A15DMS/A16DMS, Daewoo Lanos and Nubira, 1997-2008)[14][15]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)[1][2][12]
  • 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)[2][12][16]
  • 1.5 QG15DE 90 and 98 hp (Almera N16, 2000-2006)[7][17][18]
  • 1.6 QG16DE 109 hp (Primera P12, 2003-2007)[4][5]
  • 1.8 QG18DE 114 and 116 hp (Almera N16 and Primera P12, 2000-2007)[4][6][19]
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 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG

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. Fiabilité et pannes du Nissan Primera (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  5. Erratic engine running on Nissan petrol enginesAutobiz (febi ProTip) · Technical documentation · published October 2023 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Nissan Almera Tino: zakup wysokiego ryzykaAuto Świat · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  7. Nissan Almera: posible rotura del tornillo del piñón trasero del árbol de levas, tensor de cadena (DVSA R/2004/089)car-recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA, Reino Unido) · Other source · published 3 August 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  13. Nissan QG engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  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. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  17. Tous les problèmes sur Nissan Almera 2000-2005 (90 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  18. Nissan Primera: engine may stall (DVSA R/2003/170)car-recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA, Reino Unido) · Other source · published 3 August 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026
  19. Fiabilité et pannes du Nissan Tino (2000-2006)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French