1.2 8v 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 8v: 32/100 versus 36/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.2 8v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged cylinder head gasket (coolant loss and overheating)»; 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 8v

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 202615 sources How we work

Is the 1.2 8v reliable?

The 1.2 8v (D7F) is a simple naturally aspirated engine of 54 to 60 hp, with a timing belt, which Renault fitted from 1996 to the Twingo, Clio II and Kangoo. No catastrophic failures are documented; what owner reviews mention most often are the sensors, the cylinder head gasket, the coil packs and the occasional oil drip.^[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the 1.2 8v 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.^[4][5][6][7]

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 8v and 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
Item	1.2 8v	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	54–60 hp	151–281 hp
Production	1996–2012^{[8][9][10][11]}	since 2002^[12][13]
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 cylinder head gasket (coolant loss and overheating) Medium severity: Crankshaft sensor (TDC) and other engine sensor failure Medium severity: Ignition faults: coil packs, ignition harness and humidity	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	None	2.7 Dual VVT-i (2TR-FE, from 2015)^[6][7] 4.0 V6 Dual VVT-i (1GR-FE, from 2009)^[4][14]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.2 8v 54-60 hp (D7F, 1996-2012)^{[1][2][3][15]}	2.7 VVT-i (2TR-FE, 2,693 cc, 2004-2014)^[6][7] 4.0 V6 VVT-i (1GR-FE, 3,956 cc, from 2002)^[4][5][14]
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 8v

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

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 8v

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 Renault Clio 2 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Twingo 1993-2006 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Twingo 2 (2007-2014) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 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 (Renault)Wikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Renault Twingo IWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Toyota TR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Toyota GR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0L V6: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
Renault Twingo (ab 1993): Schwachstellen laut TÜV-AuswertungAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published February 2002 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German