1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) vs 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12: which engine is more reliable?

The 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) and the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 tie on our risk index: 14/100 (low risk). The 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) has no documented serious faults; the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12

Low risk · 0 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202622 sources How we work

Is the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) reliable?

Nissan's three-cylinder 1.2 (80 hp naturally aspirated or 98 hp DIG-S with supercharger) has a reputation for simplicity and durability. The only documented item is a recall over the ignition coil on DIG-S units built between 2015 and 2016; the CVT gearbox is a separate matter.^[1][2][3]

See the of the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) fault

Is the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 reliable?

The EW10 (2.0) and EW12 (2.2) are naturally aspirated 16-valve petrol engines with a timing belt, which PSA fitted between 1999 and 2010 to the 206, 307, 406, 407, 607, 807, C4, C5 and C8, among others. According to owners there are no frequent internal failures: the most-cited problems are the ignition coils (the only fault also reported by the press), the exhaust and, on the 2.2, oil consumption.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]}

See the of the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) and 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12
Item	1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)	2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,198 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	80–98 hp	135–177 hp
Production	2010–2017^[12][13][14]	1999–2010^{[4][6][15][16]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	14Low risk	14Low risk
Documented faults	1	1
Of high or critical severity	0	0
Worst severity	Medium severity	Medium severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Short-circuited ignition coil: the engine stalls and will not restart	Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.2 HR12DE 80 hp (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2010-2017)^[1][2]	2.0 16v 136 hp (EW10J4, RFN/RFR, 1999-2005)^{[4][5][7][8][17][18]} 2.0 16v VVT 140-143 hp (EW10A, RFJ, 2004-2011)^[9][10][19]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.2 DIG-S HR12DDR 98 hp with supercharger (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2011-2017)^[3][20][21]	2.0 16v VVT 177 hp (EW10J4S, RFK, 2003-2008)^[7][17][19] 2.0 HPi 140 hp direct injection (EW10D, RLZ, 2001-2004)^[8][10] 2.2 16v 158-163 hp (EW12J4, 3FZ/3FY, 1999-2010)^{[8][9][11][16][22]}
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

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12

See the 13 models with the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

With the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12

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.

Nissan Micra K13: bezawaryjne auto miejskieOtomoto · Motoring press · published 30 October 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
Nissan Micra (K12, K13, K14): Probleme, Schwachstellen und Krankheitencarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Nissan Note: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Peugeot 307 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 November 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Peugeot 407 problems (reseña de Graham Smith)CarsGuide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 17 March 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 406 1995-2004 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 407 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C8 2002-2015 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Nissan HR engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Nissan MicraWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Nissan NoteWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Peugeot 406Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Peugeot 307 2.0 16V 140 ch: courroie de distribution (intervalo, tiempo y riesgo)Mecazen · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 1998-2006 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara Picasso 1999-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C4 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Nissan Micra (K13/E12): el motor se apaga estando en funcionamientoHELLA · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Il motore si spegne improvvisamente anche durante la marcia (Nissan Micra K13)Carpedia · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 607 2000-2011 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French