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1.2 8v VVT 69 hp (2007-2020) engine: faults and reliability

Fiat Fire de 0.8 a 1.4 (8v and 16v, también el Fire Flex de Brasil) version

Buy

This is the variant with the most reliability data available. In the Fiat Panda III (50 reviews) barely 1 engine-related case is documented and none involving the timing belt; in the Fiat 500 (147 reviews) the most repeated issues are the ignition coil and oil consumption, always in a minority of cases. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de describes the engine as robust in both the Fiat 500 and the Fiat Panda III.[1][2][3][4]

Years
2007–2020
Power
69 hp
Faults that affect it
4
0 of high or critical severity
Cars that use it
6
in our database

11 sourcesHow we work

What changes in this version

Variant with variable valve timing (VVT), built between 2007 and 2020 with 68-69 hp according to English-language Wikipedia. It debuted in the Fiat 500 (2007) and spread to the second-generation Ford Ka (2008, sold by Ford as the "1.2 Duratec"), the Fiat Punto Evo (2009, in its Euro 5 version), the Fiat Panda III (2012) and the Lancia Ypsilon: first the second generation from October 2010 and then the whole third generation (2011-2020).[5][6][7][8][9]

Faults of the 1.2 8v VVT 69 hp (2007-2020) engine

The documented engine faults that affect this version and its years, from most to least important.

  1. 1Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsSensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC)The 1.2 8v Fire can suffer sensor faults: the lambda sensor (warning light, rough running) and, in the Fiat Punto, the crankshaft position sensor (TDC sensor), linked to misfires. These are minority issues, but they recur across several models with this engine.
  2. 2Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationOil consumption or leak, in one case from the rocker cover gasketThe 1.2 8v Fire can start to use or lose oil after a certain mileage; the only case with an identified origin points to the rocker cover gasket. It is the issue that recurs most for this engine, always in a minority of cases and without damaging the block.
  3. 3Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionFaulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light)The 1.2 8v Fire's ignition coil can fail and switch on the engine warning light, with rough running; there is one documented case replaced at 40,000 km in the Fiat 500. It is one of the issues that recurs most in the sources consulted for this engine, though always in a minority of cases.
  4. 4Low severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming belt: preventive replacement, no documented breakage patternThe 1.2 8v Fire has a timing belt, which must be replaced preventively according to the interval set by the manufacturer of the specific car. The reliability sources consulted document no case of premature breakage for this engine: it is scheduled maintenance, not a recurring fault.

Cars fitted with the 1.2 8v VVT 69 hp (2007-2020) engine

Open each car to see all its faults with this engine and what to check before buying it.

Fiat

Ford

Lancia

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1.2 8v VVT 69 hp (2007-2020) engine reliable?

Our verdict is “Buy”. This is the variant with the most reliability data available. In the Fiat Panda III (50 reviews) barely 1 engine-related case is documented and none involving the timing belt; in the Fiat 500 (147 reviews) the most repeated issues are the ignition coil and oil consumption, always in a minority of cases. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de describes the engine as robust in both the Fiat 500 and the Fiat Panda III.[1][2][3][4]

What faults does the 1.2 8v VVT 69 hp (2007-2020) engine have?

The documented ones that affect this version, by importance: sensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC) (medium severity), oil consumption or leak, in one case from the rocker cover gasket (low severity), faulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light) (low severity) and timing belt: preventive replacement, no documented breakage pattern (low severity).

Which cars use the 1.2 8v VVT 69 hp (2007-2020) engine?

Fiat Panda III (2012–2020), Fiat 500 (2007–2020), Fiat Punto III (2005–2018), Lancia Ypsilon III (2011–2020), Lancia Ypsilon II (2003–2011) and Ford Ka II (2008–2016).[1][2][3][4][6][7][8][9][10][11]

Are you buying a car with the 1.2 8v VVT 69 hp (2007-2020) engine?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.

Sources

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

  1. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Panda (depuis 2012)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat 500Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiat Panda III (seit 2011) – Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 21 January 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. Fiat 500 (ab 2007) – alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 24 November 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Fiat FIRE engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Fiat 500 (2007)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Fiat Grande PuntoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Lancia YpsilonWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Ford KaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Fiat PandaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Punto (Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French