2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.8 TCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 carries less risk than the 1.8 TCe: 14/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 has no documented serious faults; the 1.8 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «A110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 cars».

Risk index

2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.8 TCe

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 31 October 202620 sources How we work

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.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]}

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

Is the 1.8 TCe reliable?

The 1.8 TCe (M5P) in the Alpine A110 and the Mégane R.S. IV has no documented endemic faults. What has been published are recalls for the A110: the oil pressure solenoid valve (2019) and the fuel pump (2021 and 2023). We have found no recalls or complaints about this engine in the Mégane R.S.^{[9][10][11][12]}

See the 2 of the 1.8 TCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 and 1.8 TCe
Item	2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12	1.8 TCe
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,798 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	—
Power	135–177 hp	252–350 hp
Production	1999–2010^{[1][3][13][14]}	2017–2026^[12][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	14Low risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	1	2
Of high or critical severity	0	2
Worst severity	Medium severity	High severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils	High severity: A110 oil pressure solenoid valve sticking in 2018–2019 cars High severity: A110 fuel pump that can leave the car unable to start when hot
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.0 16v 136 hp (EW10J4, RFN/RFR, 1999-2005)^{[1][2][4][5][17][18]} 2.0 16v VVT 140-143 hp (EW10A, RFJ, 2004-2011)^[6][7][19]	1.8 TCe 280–300 hp (M5P, Mégane R.S. IV, 2018–2023)^[9][11][12]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 16v VVT 177 hp (EW10J4S, RFK, 2003-2008)^[4][17][19] 2.0 HPi 140 hp direct injection (EW10D, RLZ, 2001-2004)^[5][7] 2.2 16v 158-163 hp (EW12J4, 3FZ/3FY, 1999-2010)^{[5][6][8][14][20]}	1.8 TCe 252–350 hp (M5P, Alpine A110, 2017–2026)^[9][11]
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

2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12

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

1.8 TCe

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12

With the 1.8 TCe

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Sources

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

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
Rappels Alpine A110 (2019). Risque de casse moteurL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 August 2019 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
Rappel Alpine A110. La pompe à essence de 2 849 exemplaires remplacéeL'argus · Motoring press · published 7 September 2021 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
Alpine A110. Un nouveau rappel pour remplacer des pompes à essenceL'argus · Motoring press · published 25 October 2023 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
Renault Mégane IVWikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
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
Alpine A110 (2017)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
Alpine A110 (2017)Wikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 31 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
Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 607 2000-2011 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French