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1.5/1.6/1.8 QG vs 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 carries less risk than the 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG: 14/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate risk). The 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Stretched timing chain or worn tensioner and guides»; the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.5/1.6/1.8 QG

36

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12

14

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

23 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG reliable?

The petrol QG engines in the Almera N16 and the Primera P12 are simple chain-driven units with no documented catastrophic faults, but the 1.8 often uses oil, and the timing chain and position sensors have recalls and technical notices. Keep an eye on the oil level and on timing chain noise.[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG faults

Is the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/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.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

See the of the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG and 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12
1.5/1.6/1.8 QG1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power90–116 hp116–177 hp
Production1998–2009[2][3][13]1999–2010[5][7][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk14Low risk
Documented faults31
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityHigh severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Stretched timing chain or worn tensioner and guides
  2. Medium severity: High oil consumption in the 1.8 QG18DE
  3. Medium severity: Crankshaft and camshaft position sensor failure
  1. Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 QG15DE 90 and 98 hp (Almera N16, 2000-2006)[4][19][20]
  • 1.6 QG16DE 109 hp (Primera P12, 2003-2007)[1][2]
  • 1.8 QG18DE 114 and 116 hp (Almera N16 and Primera P12, 2000-2007)[1][3][21]
  • 2.0 16v VVT 177 hp (EW10J4S, RFK, 2003-2008)[8][16][18]
  • 2.0 HPi 140 hp direct injection (EW10D, RLZ, 2001-2004)[9][11]
  • 2.2 16v 158-163 hp (EW12J4, 3FZ/3FY, 1999-2010)[9][10][12][15][22]
  • 1.8 16v 115-117 hp (EW7J4, 6FZ, 2000-2005)[9][17]
  • 1.8 16v 125-127 hp (EW7A, 6FY, 2005-2010)[10][23]
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

Other comparisons

With the 1.5/1.6/1.8 QG

With the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/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.

  1. Fiabilité et pannes du Nissan Primera (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  2. Erratic engine running on Nissan petrol enginesAutobiz (febi ProTip) · Technical documentation · published October 2023 · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. Nissan Almera Tino: zakup wysokiego ryzykaAuto Świat · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  4. Nissan Almera: posible rotura del tornillo del piñón trasero del árbol de levas, tensor de cadena (DVSA R/2004/089)car-recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA, Reino Unido) · Other source · published 3 August 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. Peugeot 307 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 November 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  7. Peugeot 407 problems (reseña de Graham Smith)CarsGuide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 17 March 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  9. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 406 1995-2004 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  10. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 407 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  11. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  12. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C8 2002-2015 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  13. Nissan QG engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  15. Peugeot 307 2.0 16V 140 ch: courroie de distribution (intervalo, tiempo y riesgo)Mecazen · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  16. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 1998-2006 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  17. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara Picasso 1999-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  18. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C4 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  19. Tous les problèmes sur Nissan Almera 2000-2005 (90 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  20. Nissan Primera: engine may stall (DVSA R/2003/170)car-recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA, Reino Unido) · Other source · published 3 August 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026
  21. Fiabilité et pannes du Nissan Tino (2000-2006)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  22. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 607 2000-2011 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  23. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2008-2017 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French