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Porsche MA1 / 9A1 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 Porsche MA1 / 9A1: 14/100 (low risk) versus 25/100 (moderate risk). The Porsche MA1 / 9A1 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Bore scoring in the MA1 of the 997.2 and 987.2: uncommon, but documented»; the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

Porsche MA1 / 9A1

25

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

26 sourcesHow we work

Is the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 reliable?

Yes, it is noticeably more reliable than the M96/M97: it eliminated the intermediate shaft with its IMS bearing and, according to FCP Euro, the connecting rod bolt failures. What is documented is minor: carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection, coolant pump leaks on the 991.1 and, rarely, bore scoring on the 997.2.[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 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 Porsche MA1 / 9A1 and 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12
Porsche MA1 / 9A11.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power255–400 hp116–177 hp
Production2009–2016[1][4][13][14][15][16][17]1999–2010[5][7][18][19]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)25Moderate risk14Low risk
Documented faults31
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityCritical severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Bore scoring in the MA1 of the 997.2 and 987.2: uncommon, but documented
  2. Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection
  3. Medium severity: Leaks from the electronically controlled coolant pumps of the 991.1 and the plastic water pump
  1. Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 3.6 Carrera 345 hp (MA1.02, 2009-2012)[1][3][4]
  • 3.8 Carrera S 385 hp (MA1.01, 2009-2012)[3][4]
  • 2.9 Boxster/Cayman 255-265 hp (MA1.20, 2009-2012, no direct injection)[2][13]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 3.4 Boxster S / Cayman S 310-320 hp (MA1.21/.22, 2009-2012, direct injection)[2][23]
  • 3.4 Carrera 350 hp (MA1.04, 2011-2015)[3]
  • 3.8 Carrera S 400 hp (MA1.03, 2011-2015)[3]
  • 2.7 Boxster/Cayman 265-275 hp (MA1.22, 2012-2016)[23][24]
  • 3.4 Boxster S / Cayman S / GTS 315-340 hp (MA1.23, 2012-2016)[23][24]
  • 2.0 16v VVT 177 hp (EW10J4S, RFK, 2003-2008)[8][20][22]
  • 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][19][25]
  • 1.8 16v 115-117 hp (EW7J4, 6FZ, 2000-2005)[9][21]
  • 1.8 16v 125-127 hp (EW7A, 6FY, 2005-2010)[10][26]
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 Porsche MA1 / 9A1

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

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Sources

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

  1. The Definitive Guide To Porsche 997 Engines (M96.05, M97, MA1)FCP Euro · Other source · published 16 January 2024 · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. Porsche 987: The Cayman and Boxster Generation GuideRenn Driver · Other source · published 1 November 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. Porsche 911: 5 Generationen im Gebrauchtwagen-CheckAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 22 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  4. Porsche 997Wikipedia · Other source · 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. Porsche Boxster and Cayman (987)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Porsche 991Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  15. Porsche Boxster and Cayman (981)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Differences between M96 and M97 enginesFlat Six Innovations · Other source · published 25 November 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
  17. List of Porsche enginesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  18. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  19. Peugeot 307 2.0 16V 140 ch: courroie de distribution (intervalo, tiempo y riesgo)Mecazen · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  20. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 1998-2006 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  21. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara Picasso 1999-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  22. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C4 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  23. Porsche Cayman and Boxster Common Problems: A Specialist Field GuideForeign Automotive · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  24. Porsche 981: The Cayman and Boxster Generation GuideRenn Driver · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  25. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 607 2000-2011 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  26. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2008-2017 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French