0.9 TCe vs E-Tech Híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the E-Tech Híbrido carries less risk than the 0.9 TCe: 32/100 versus 49/100 (both moderate risk). The 0.9 TCe has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Coolant leak at the thermostat housing»; the E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)».

Risk index

0.9 TCe

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

E-Tech Híbrido

Moderate risk · 2 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 27 September 202613 sources How we work

Is the 0.9 TCe reliable?

The 0.9 TCe (H4Bt) is a three-cylinder turbo with a good reliability reputation, better than that of its sibling the 1.2 TCe: it does not share the same oil consumption or the same rate of chain problems. Its most-cited weak point is a coolant leak at the thermostat housing, which if ignored can end up damaging the head gasket; chain, turbo and lambda sensor cases appear less often.^[1][2]

See the 5 of the 0.9 TCe faults

Is the E-Tech Híbrido reliable?

The E-Tech combines a combustion engine (1.6 H4M naturally aspirated or 1.2 HR12 turbo) with electric motors and a multi-mode gearbox with no clutch or torque converter. Its best-documented weak point is the gearbox itself: reports from the Clio, Captur, Arkana, Austral, Duster and Jogger describe warnings of a risk of breakage, and Renault has launched two campaigns since 2020 (an electrical fault and a primary shaft seal). The 12 V battery also fails fairly often.^[3][4][5]

See the 4 of the E-Tech Híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 0.9 TCe and E-Tech Híbrido
Item	0.9 TCe	E-Tech Híbrido
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	898 cm³	1,598 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	90 hp	140–200 hp
Production	2012–2024^{[1][2][6][7][8]}	since 2020^[3][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	49Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Coolant leak at the thermostat housing Critical severity: Timing chain or tensioner failure High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure	High severity: Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage) High severity: Stalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12) Medium severity: Hybrid system electrical fault with "DANGER" warning and car won't start
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	0.9 TCe 90 (H4Bt, 2012-2024)^[1][2]	1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)^[4][11] 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)^[12] 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)^[5][13]
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

0.9 TCe

See the 8 models with the 0.9 TCe

E-Tech Híbrido

See the 12 models with the E-Tech Híbrido

Other comparisons

With the 0.9 TCe

With the E-Tech Híbrido

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Sources

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

Fiabilité des 0.9 TCeFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Clio VWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault AustralFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mercedes-Benz M281 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault ClioWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Dacia SanderoWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Captur IIFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Espace 6Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French