M271 vs E-Tech Híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the E-Tech Híbrido carries less risk than the M271: 32/100 (moderate risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The M271 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and wear of the camshaft sprockets»; the E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)».

Risk index

M271

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

E-Tech Híbrido

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 27 September 202611 sources How we work

Is the M271 reliable?

The M271 is the four-cylinder petrol engine Mercedes-Benz fitted from 2002 to 2015, first with a mechanical supercharger (Kompressor) and, from 2009, with a turbo in the EVO revision. It has one well-documented weak point across the range: the timing chain and the camshaft sprockets can wear prematurely, a problem a specialist source describes as persistent even after the EVO redesign.^[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the M271 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 M271 and E-Tech Híbrido
Item	M271	E-Tech Híbrido
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,796 cm³	1,598 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	122–204 hp	140–200 hp
Production	2002–2015^[2][3]	since 2020^[4][7][8]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	1	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and wear of the camshaft sprockets Medium severity: Oil leaking from the camshaft adjuster solenoids into the wiring Medium severity: Crankcase ventilation hose under the supercharger: it cracks and lets in false air	High severity: Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage) High severity: Stalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12) Medium severity: Hybrid system electrical fault with "DANGER" warning and car won't start
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	M271 Kompressor 1.6/1.8 (KE16/KE18)^[1] M271 EVO 1.8 turbo CGI (DE18 LA)^[1]	1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)^[5][9] 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)^[10] 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)^[6][11]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

M271

See the 7 models with the M271

E-Tech Híbrido

See the 12 models with the E-Tech Híbrido

Other comparisons

With the M271

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.

Mercedes M271: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mercedes-Benz M271 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mercedes-Benz M 271Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Clio VWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault AustralFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Captur IIFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Espace 6Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French