1.6 THP vs 1.5 K15B (Jimny): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) carries less risk than the 1.6 THP: 14/100 (low risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The 1.6 THP has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)»; the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.6 THP

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.5 K15B (Jimny)

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202613 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 THP reliable?

The 1.6 THP turbo and its naturally aspirated sibling, the 1.6 VTi, make up the Prince family, developed together with BMW and also used by MINI: they do not have a reputation for reliability. Turbo versions built before 2012 carry a known problem of timing chain stretch, and the whole block shares a water pump described as fragile; the turbo versions add oil consumption and high-pressure fuel pump failures.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 THP faults

Is the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) reliable?

The 1.5 K15B in the Suzuki Jimny is a 102 hp naturally aspirated four-cylinder with a timing chain, simple and with no documented faults of its own. The only thing recorded in Europe is a 2018-2020 recall for the fuel pump, precautionary and with a definitive remedy.^[5][6][7]

See the of the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 THP and 1.5 K15B (Jimny)
Item	1.6 THP	1.5 K15B (Jimny)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,462 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	120–270 hp	102 hp
Production	2006–2018^[1][8][9]	since 2018^[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	14Low risk
Documented faults	5	1
Of high or critical severity	2	0
Worst severity	Critical severity	Medium severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012) High severity: Fragile water pump and heat exchanger Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions	Medium severity: Fuel pump with resin impeller that swells (recall)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.5 K15B 102 hp (Jimny IV, 2018-present)^[5][6][7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 VTi 120 / 1.6 16v (EP6/EP6C, N12/N16, naturally aspirated)^[4] 1.6 THP medium output (EP6DT/EP6DTS/EP6CDT, N14/N18; 140-190 hp)^[2][3][13] 1.6 THP high performance (EP6CDXD/EP6FDTR/EP6CDTR, John Cooper Works N14/N18; 200-270 hp)^[2][3][4]	None
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

1.6 THP

See the 16 models with the 1.6 THP

1.5 K15B (Jimny)

Suzuki Jimny IV

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 THP

With the 1.5 K15B (Jimny)

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Sources

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

Prince engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Problemas Suzuki JimnyTotalrenting · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki Jimny: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki Jimny Problemecarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Peugeot 308Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Peugeot RCZWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki JimnyWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
BMW Recalls Fuel Pumps. Mini Does NotMotoringFile · Motoring press · published 27 October 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026