1.2 16v vs 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) carries less risk than the 1.2 16v: 32/100 versus 36/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss»; the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure».

Risk index

1.2 16v

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202619 sources How we work

Is the 1.2 16v reliable?

The 1.2 16v (D4F) and its 8-valve predecessor, the D7F, are simple naturally aspirated engines, used for over two decades as the entry-level option in Renault and Dacia cars, with a reputation for reliability: the reliability pages consulted document no catastrophic failures and no oil consumption. The most-cited problems are ignition coils and sensors and, on higher-mileage cars, the head gasket.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faults

Is the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) reliable?

The sources consulted describe them as robust chain-driven engines with few documented faults: on the 4.0 V6 (1GR-FE), the water pump, head gasket on early units and the coils; on the 2.7 (2TR-FE), the front crankshaft seal in the early years. Almost all the data comes from technical websites, not official campaigns.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 16v and 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
Item	1.2 16v	2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,149 cm³	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	60–76 hp	151–281 hp
Production	2001–2020^{[9][10][11][12]}	since 2002^[13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	36Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Damaged head gasket and coolant loss Medium severity: Ignition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light) Medium severity: Probe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)	High severity: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure Medium severity: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 water pump leaks Medium severity: 2.7 2TR-FE oil leaks from the front crankshaft seal
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.2 16v 75/76 (D4F, 2001-2020)^{[1][2][3][4][15][16][17][18]} 1.2 16v 60 (D4F 708, Twingo I, 2004-2007)^[11]	2.7 Dual VVT-i (2TR-FE, from 2015)^[7][8] 4.0 V6 Dual VVT-i (1GR-FE, from 2009)^[5][19]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	None	2.7 VVT-i (2TR-FE, 2,693 cc, 2004-2014)^[7][8] 4.0 V6 VVT-i (1GR-FE, 3,956 cc, from 2002)^[5][6][19]
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

1.2 16v

See the 12 models with the 1.2 16v

2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 16v

With the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

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.

Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité : la Renault Twingo 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
1GR-FE Toyota 4.0L 236 hp: ficha del motor, puntos débiles y fiabilidadAutoHints · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
The 4 Most Common Toyota 1GR-FE Engine Problems8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 29 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
Toyota 2TR-FE 2.7L: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
Toyota 2TR-FE Engine Guide - Specs, Reliability, & Mods8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 2 February 2023 · consulted 2 November 2026
Moteur D RenaultWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Toyota TR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Toyota GR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault KangooFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia LoganFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia SanderoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0L V6: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026