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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs E-Tech Híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the E-Tech Híbrido: 19/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

E-Tech Híbrido

32

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

17 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 E-Tech Híbrido reliable?

The E-Tech combines a combustion engine (1.6 H4M naturally aspirated or 1.2 HR12 turbo) with electric motors and a multi-mode gearbox with no clutch or torque converter. Its best-documented weak point is the gearbox itself: reports from the Clio, Captur, Arkana, Austral, Duster and Jogger describe warnings of a risk of breakage, and Renault has launched two campaigns since 2020 (an electrical fault and a primary shaft seal). The 12 V battery also fails fairly often.[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the E-Tech Híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and E-Tech Híbrido
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC IIE-Tech Híbrido
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,598 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power83–109 hp140–200 hp
Production2004–2011[7][8][9][10][11]since 2020[4][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk32Moderate 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: Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)
  2. High severity: Stalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12)
  3. Medium severity: Hybrid system electrical fault with "DANGER" warning and car won't start
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]
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][14]
  • 1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)[5][15]
  • 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)[16]
  • 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)[6][17]
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

E-Tech Híbrido

See the 12 models with the E-Tech Híbrido

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

With the E-Tech Híbrido

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. Renault Clio VWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault AustralFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 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. Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  15. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Captur IIFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Espace 6Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French