2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) vs VR6: 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 VR6: 32/100 (moderate risk) versus 50/100 (high risk). 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»; the VR6 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «VR6 timing chain and tensioners».

Risk index

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

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

VR6

High risk · 1 serious fault

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202621 sources How we work

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.^[1][2][3][4]

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

Is the VR6 reliable?

Its best-documented faults are the timing chain, with tensioners on the 12-valve versions and stretching on the 3.2 (R32, A3 8P, TT, Cayenne), and, to a lesser extent, the cooling system of the 12-valve versions. The 3.6 FSI comes out of the sources better than the 3.2.^[5][6][7]

See the 2 of the VR6 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) and VR6
Item	2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)	VR6
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	151–281 hp	140–300 hp
Production	since 2002^[8][9]	1991–2024^[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	32Moderate risk	50High risk
Documented faults	5	2
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	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	Critical severity: VR6 timing chain and tensioners Medium severity: 12-valve VR6 cooling: water pump, thermostat and plastic pipes
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.7 Dual VVT-i (2TR-FE, from 2015)^[3][4] 4.0 V6 Dual VVT-i (1GR-FE, from 2009)^[1][13]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.7 VVT-i (2TR-FE, 2,693 cc, 2004-2014)^[3][4] 4.0 V6 VVT-i (1GR-FE, 3,956 cc, from 2002)^[1][2][13]	2.8 VR6 12V 140-174 hp (AAA, AMY, AES; 1991-2000)^[5][14] 2.9 VR6 12V 190 hp (ABV; 1994-1997)^[5] 2.8 V6 24V 204 hp (AQP, AUE, BDE, AMV, AYL; 1999-2008)^[6][15][16] 3.2 VR6 220-250 hp (BFH, BML, BDB, BMJ, BUB, BHE, BDL, BKK, AZZ, AXZ, CBRA; 2001-2010)^{[6][7][17][18]} 3.6 VR6 FSI 249-300 hp (BLV, BWS, CDVA, CCZB, CNNA, CMTA; 2005-2018)^{[7][19][20][21]}
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

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

VR6

See the 26 models with the VR6

Other comparisons

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

With the VR6

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.

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
VW Golf III VR6 (1991-1998)AutoBild · Motoring press · published 1 September 2003 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Golf IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Gebrauchtwagen-Kaufberater: Was kann der Porsche Cayenne 9PA?AutoScout24 · Motoring press · 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
VR6 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
VR6-MotorWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW EA390Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0L V6: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Golf III (1991-1998)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Seat Leon I: Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Bora (1J2): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 14 July 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Golf 4: ProblemeCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Audi TT: ProblemeCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Passat CC: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Probleme mit dem Porsche Cayenne (9PA y 92A)CarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Passat (2004-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French