1.5 K15B (Jimny) vs 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) carries less risk than the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M): 14/100 (low risk) versus 27/100 (moderate risk). The 1.5 K15B (Jimny) has no documented serious faults; the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.5 K15B (Jimny)

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202617 sources How we work

Is the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) reliable?

The 1.5 K15B in the Suzuki Jimny is a 102 hp naturally aspirated four-cylinder with a timing chain, simple and with no documented faults of its own. The only thing recorded in Europe is a 2018-2020 recall for the fuel pump, precautionary and with a definitive remedy.^[1][2][3]

See the of the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) fault

Is the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) reliable?

Suzuki's M series (the 1.3-litre M13A, 1.5-litre M15A and 1.6-litre M16A, with a timing chain and indirect injection) has a reputation as a simple, reliable engine: we have found no documented serious fault in the block or the chain. What is on record are minor faults or one-off campaigns: the catalytic converter and lambda sensors of the 2005-2010 Swift, the catalytic converter of the 2006-2007 SX4, the Swift's fuel hose and the Grand Vitara and Jimny tensioner pulley.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9]}

See the 4 of the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 K15B (Jimny) and 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
Item	1.5 K15B (Jimny)	1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,462 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	102 hp	83–136 hp
Production	since 2018^[10][11][12]	since 1999^[4][5][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	14Low risk	27Moderate risk
Documented faults	1	4
Of high or critical severity	0	0
Worst severity	Medium severity	Medium severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Fuel pump with resin impeller that swells (recall)	Medium severity: Faulty catalytic converter and lambda sensors on the 2005-2010 Swift (engine warning light) Medium severity: Accessory belt tensioner pulley on the Grand Vitara 1.6 and Jimny 1.3 (2010 campaign) Medium severity: Fuel hose damaged by rubbing on the Swift 1.3 and 1.5 (2005-2008)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.5 K15B 102 hp (Jimny IV, 2018-present)^[1][2][3]	1.3 M13A 83-92 CV (Swift, Ignis and Jimny, 2003-2018)^[5][6][9] 1.5 M15A 99-109 CV (Swift, SX4 and Ignis, 2003-2012)^[7][14] 1.6 M16A 120-136 CV (SX4, Sedici, S-Cross, Vitara and Swift Sport, 2009-2018)^[15][16][17]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	None	1.6 M16A 107-125 CV (Swift Sport, SX4, Sedici and Grand Vitara, 2005-2009)^[5][6][7]
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

1.5 K15B (Jimny)

Suzuki Jimny IV

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

See the 9 models with the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 K15B (Jimny)

With the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

Problemas Suzuki JimnyTotalrenting · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki Jimny: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki Jimny Problemecarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Suzuki M engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Suzuki Swift MK4 MZ 2005-2010: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift (2005-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Rückruf Suzuki SX4AUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 7 April 2008 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
Por 7.000 € puedes tener un Suzuki Jimny: guía de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 10 January 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki JimnyWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki SX4 1.6 VVT 4x2 GL (2010-2012): datoskm77.com · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki SX4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Suzuki Vitara (ab 2015): Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross JY 2013-2021: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift 2 (2010-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French