2.2 Ecotec gasolina vs 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) carries less risk than the 2.2 Ecotec gasolina: 27/100 (moderate risk) versus 50/100 (high risk). The 2.2 Ecotec gasolina has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Stretched timing chain and seized tensioner on the 2.2 Ecotec»; the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

2.2 Ecotec gasolina

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

Moderate 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

Reviewed on 2 November 202620 sources How we work

Is the 2.2 Ecotec gasolina reliable?

This is the 2.2 petrol engine producing 147 to 155 hp in the Astra G, Zafira, Vectra and Signum. Its documented weak point is the timing chain, which stretches and can end in serious engine damage; the 2.2 Direct adds a high-pressure pump prone to failure.^[1][2][3]

See the 2 of the 2.2 Ecotec gasolina faults

Is the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) reliable?

Suzuki's M series (the 1.3-litre M13A, 1.5-litre M15A and 1.6-litre M16A, with a timing chain and indirect injection) has a reputation as a simple, reliable engine: we have found no documented serious fault in the block or the chain. What is on record are minor faults or one-off campaigns: the catalytic converter and lambda sensors of the 2005-2010 Swift, the catalytic converter of the 2006-2007 SX4, the Swift's fuel hose and the Grand Vitara and Jimny tensioner pulley.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9]}

See the 4 of the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.2 Ecotec gasolina and 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
Item	2.2 Ecotec gasolina	1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	2,198 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	147–155 hp	83–136 hp
Production	2000–2010^{[10][11][12][13]}	since 1999^[4][5][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	50High risk	27Moderate risk
Documented faults	2	4
Of high or critical severity	1	0
Worst severity	Critical severity	Medium severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Stretched timing chain and seized tensioner on the 2.2 Ecotec Medium severity: Faulty high-pressure pump or pressure regulator (P1191) on the 2.2 Direct	Medium severity: Faulty catalytic converter and lambda sensors on the 2005-2010 Swift (engine warning light) Medium severity: Accessory belt tensioner pulley on the Grand Vitara 1.6 and Jimny 1.3 (2010 campaign) Medium severity: Fuel hose damaged by rubbing on the Swift 1.3 and 1.5 (2005-2008)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.3 M13A 83-92 CV (Swift, Ignis and Jimny, 2003-2018)^[5][6][9] 1.5 M15A 99-109 CV (Swift, SX4 and Ignis, 2003-2012)^[7][15] 1.6 M16A 120-136 CV (SX4, Sedici, S-Cross, Vitara and Swift Sport, 2009-2018)^[16][17][18]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.2 16V 147 hp (Z22SE, 2000-2005)^[1][2][19] 2.2 Direct 150-155 hp (Z22YH, 2003-2010)^{[1][2][3][20]}	1.6 M16A 107-125 CV (Swift Sport, SX4, Sedici and Grand Vitara, 2005-2009)^[5][6][7]
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

2.2 Ecotec gasolina

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

See the 11 models with the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

Other comparisons

With the 2.2 Ecotec gasolina

With the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

PROTIPS febi 33044: tensor de cadena para los motores Opel 2.2 de gasolina (Z22YH y Z22SE)febi bilstein (Ferdinand Bilstein GmbH) · Technical documentation · published January 2019 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Opel Vectra C: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Opel Zafira B 2005-2014: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Suzuki M engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Suzuki Swift MK4 MZ 2005-2010: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift (2005-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Rückruf Suzuki SX4AUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 7 April 2008 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
Por 7.000 € puedes tener un Suzuki Jimny: guía de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 10 January 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Opel Astra GWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Opel Zafira AWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Opel Vectra CWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Opel Zafira BWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Suzuki SX4 1.6 VVT 4x2 GL (2010-2012): datoskm77.com · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki SX4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Suzuki Vitara (ab 2015): Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross JY 2013-2021: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift 2 (2010-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Zafira (1999-2005): pannes par moteurFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Blitz-Info: Opel Signum 2.2 L, año 2003-2004, motor Z22YH (testigo del motor encendido)Hella · Technical documentation · published 31 March 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German