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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE): 19/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

32

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

16 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 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) reliable?

The sources consulted describe them as robust chain-driven engines with few documented faults: on the 4.0 V6 (1GR-FE), the water pump, head gasket on early units and the coils; on the 2.7 (2TR-FE), the front crankshaft seal in the early years. Almost all the data comes from technical websites, not official campaigns.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power83–109 hp151–281 hp
Production2004–2011[8][9][10][11][12]since 2002[13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults35
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: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure
  2. Medium severity: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 water pump leaks
  3. Medium severity: 2.7 2TR-FE oil leaks from the front crankshaft seal
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]
  • 2.7 Dual VVT-i (2TR-FE, from 2015)[6][7]
  • 4.0 V6 Dual VVT-i (1GR-FE, from 2009)[4][15]
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]
  • 2.7 VVT-i (2TR-FE, 2,693 cc, 2004-2014)[6][7]
  • 4.0 V6 VVT-i (1GR-FE, 3,956 cc, from 2002)[4][5][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

2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

With the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

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. 1GR-FE Toyota 4.0L 236 hp: ficha del motor, puntos débiles y fiabilidadAutoHints · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. The 4 Most Common Toyota 1GR-FE Engine Problems8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 29 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Toyota 2TR-FE 2.7L: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Toyota 2TR-FE Engine Guide - Specs, Reliability, & Mods8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 2 February 2023 · 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. Toyota TR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Toyota GR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  15. Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0L V6: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language