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1.4 and 1.6 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 1.4 and 1.6 16v: 32/100 versus 45/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.4 and 1.6 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt breakage or premature failure»; 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

1.4 and 1.6 16v

45

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

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

32

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

19 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.4 and 1.6 16v reliable?

The K4J (1.4) and K4M (1.6), both naturally aspirated 16-valve units, are simple and generally reliable petrol engines: no source consulted documents oil consumption or faults that destroy the block. Their most-cited weak point is the ignition coils, followed by the crankshaft sensor and, on versions with a variable valve timing unit, its pulley; a neglected belt can cause serious damage, as one case in the Renault Laguna II documents.[1][2][3][4]

See the 6 of the 1.4 and 1.6 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 1.4 and 1.6 16v and 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
1.4 and 1.6 16v2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power75–135 hp151–281 hp
Productionsince 1998[9][10][11]since 2002[12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)45Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults65
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Ignition coil failure
  2. High severity: Timing belt breakage or premature failure
  3. Medium severity: Crankshaft position sensor failure
  1. High severity: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure
  2. Medium severity: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 water pump leaks
  3. Medium severity: 2.7 2TR-FE oil leaks from the front crankshaft seal
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.6 16V 105-110 hp Dacia, without variable valve timing unit (K4M, 2004-2020)[4][14]
  • 2.7 Dual VVT-i (2TR-FE, from 2015)[7][8]
  • 4.0 V6 Dual VVT-i (1GR-FE, from 2009)[5][15]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.4 16V 75-100 hp (K4J, 1999-2012)[16][17]
  • 1.6 16V 110-135 hp with variable valve timing unit (K4M, 1998-2020)[3][18][19]
  • 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][15]
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

1.4 and 1.6 16v

See the 13 models with the 1.4 and 1.6 16v

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

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 and 1.6 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.

  1. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Laguna 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Duster 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. 1GR-FE Toyota 4.0L 236 hp: ficha del motor, puntos débiles y fiabilidadAutoHints · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. The 4 Most Common Toyota 1GR-FE Engine Problems8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 29 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Toyota 2TR-FE 2.7L: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Toyota 2TR-FE Engine Guide - Specs, Reliability, & Mods8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 2 February 2023 · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Renault K-Type engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Moteur K RenaultWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Toyota TR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Toyota GR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0L V6: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  19. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French