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0.9 TCe vs 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet carries less risk than the 0.9 TCe: 6/100 (low risk) versus 49/100 (moderate risk). The 0.9 TCe has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Coolant leak at the thermostat housing»; the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

0.9 TCe

49

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet

6

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

16 sourcesHow 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 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet reliable?

The Suzuki Boosterjet (1.0 K10C and 1.4 K14C/K14D) is a turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine with a timing chain, fitted since 2015 to the Vitara, S-Cross, Swift Sport and Baleno, with a 48 V mild-hybrid variant of the 1.4 since 2020. German TÜV inspection reports and the workshops we consulted rate its reliability as high: no widespread fault with the chain, oil, fuel pump or mild-hybrid system is documented.[3][4][5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 0.9 TCe and 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet
0.9 TCe1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement898 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power90 hp110–140 hp
Production2012–2024[1][2][8][9][10]since 2015[3][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)49Moderate risk6Low risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity30
Worst severityCritical severityLow severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Coolant leak at the thermostat housing
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain or tensioner failure
  3. High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
  1. Low severity: Timing chain: no documented pattern of failures
  2. Low severity: Oil consumption: no documented pattern
  3. Low severity: Direct injection and fuel pump: no documented faults or recalls
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.0 Boosterjet 110-112 hp (K10C, three-cylinder, 2015-present)[4][5][14][15]
  • 1.4 Boosterjet 140 hp (K14C, non-hybrid, 2015-2020 in Europe)[4][5][16]
  • 1.4 Boosterjet Mild Hybrid 129 hp (K14D, 48V SHVS, since 2020)[12][13]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 0.9 TCe 90 (H4Bt, 2012-2024)[1][2]
None
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 0.9 TCe

With the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet

Compare other engines

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Sources

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

  1. Fiabilité des 0.9 TCeFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. Gebrauchtwagen-Check: Grundsätzlich gut: Der Suzuki Vitara beim TÜVVolksstimme (dpa) · General press · published January 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Suzuki Swift als Gebrauchtwagen: Diese Punkte beanstandet der TÜV häufigT-Online · General press · published October 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Los mecánicos recomiendan el Suzuki Vitara porque no presume de moderno, sino de sencillo y baratoEl Nacional · General press · published September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Test complet Suzuki VitaraFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Mercedes-Benz M281 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Renault ClioWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Dacia SanderoWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Suzuki Swift Sport, Vitara y S-Cross: nuevas versiones micro-híbridas de 48VAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 16 December 2019 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Suzuki S-Cross 1.4 Boosterjet Mild Hybrid 2020: precios y datos del nuevo SUVAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 12 March 2020 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Suzuki Vitara : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Suzuki Swift 3 : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Prueba Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4 Boosterjet 140 CVActualidad Motor · Motoring press · published 16 May 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish