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M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) vs E-Tech Híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) carries less risk than the E-Tech Híbrido: 20/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Recall for the tank vent pipe (2010)»; the E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)».

Risk index

M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)

20

Low risk · 1 serious fault

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

16 sourcesHow we work

Is the M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) reliable?

The M266 is the four-cylinder petrol engine (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo, from 95 to 193 hp) of the W169 A-Class and the W245 B-Class, from 2004 to 2012. The German guides give it a good reputation and cite no faults of its own; what is documented is a starter motor that sometimes fails and is expensive to replace, and a 2010 recall over the tank vent pipe.[1][2][3][4]

See the 2 of the M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) 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.[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the E-Tech Híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) and E-Tech Híbrido
M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)E-Tech Híbrido
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,598 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power95–193 hp140–200 hp
Production2004–2012[8][9][10]since 2020[5][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)20Low risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults24
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Faulty starter motor on the M266 (expensive repair)
  2. High severity: Recall for the tank vent pipe (2010)
  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
  • M266 E15 1.5 95 hp (A 150/A 160 and B 150/B 160; 2004-2012)[1][3][13]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • M266 E17 1.7 116 hp (A 170/A 180 and B 170/B 180; 2004-2012)[3][13]
  • M266 E20 2.0 136 hp (A 200 and B 200; 2004-2012)[3][13]
  • M266 E20 AL 2.0 Turbo 193 hp (A 200 Turbo and B 200 Turbo; 2005-2010)[1][3]
  • 1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)[6][14]
  • 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)[15]
  • 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)[7][16]
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

M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)

E-Tech Híbrido

See the 12 models with the E-Tech Híbrido

Other comparisons

With the M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)

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. Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse 2004-2012 W169 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  2. Mercedes B-Klasse T245: Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  3. Fiabilité Mercedes Classe B (2005-2012) : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  4. Mercedes-Benz: Rückruf für A- und B-KlasseAutoservicepraxis · Motoring press · published 22 September 2010 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  5. Renault Clio VWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault AustralFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Mercedes-Benz M 166 / M 266Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  9. Mercedes-Benz W169Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Mercedes Classe A : motorisations, moteurs et consommationFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  11. Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Fiabilité Mercedes Classe A (2004-2012) : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  14. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Captur IIFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Espace 6Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French