1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12: which engine is more reliable?
According to our risk index, the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 carries less risk than the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI: 14/100 (low risk) versus 84/100 (very high risk). The 1.2 and 1.4 TSI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)»; the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 has no documented serious faults.
The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated
Is the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI reliable?
It depends on the generation. The chain-driven 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA111 engines (2006-2015) carry a recognised problem of chain stretch and tensioner failure, and the 1.4 twincharger engines from before 2012 can break pistons. The belt-driven EA211 engines (from 2012) are considerably more reliable: their typical fault is a leaking water pump.[1][2][3][4][5]
See the 5 of the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI faultsIs the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 reliable?
The EW10 (2.0) and EW12 (2.2) are naturally aspirated 16-valve petrol engines with a timing belt, which PSA fitted between 1999 and 2010 to the 206, 307, 406, 407, 607, 807, C4, C5 and C8, among others. According to owners there are no frequent internal failures: the most-cited problems are the ignition coils (the only fault also reported by the press), the exhaust and, on the 2.2, oil consumption.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
See the of the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 faultSide-by-side comparison
| Item | 1.2 and 1.4 TSI | 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 |
|---|---|---|
| Technical data | ||
| Type | Engine | Engine |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Displacement | — | — |
| Timing | Chain | Timing belt (dry) |
| Power | 85–185 hp | 135–177 hp |
| Production | since 2006[14][15][16][17][18] | 1999–2010[6][8][19][20] |
| Reliability | ||
| Risk index (what is it?) | 84Very high risk | 14Low risk |
| Documented faults | 5 | 1 |
| Of high or critical severity | 3 | 0 |
| Worst severity | Critical severity | Medium severity |
| Main faults |
|
|
| Most expensive documented repair | up to €1,400Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)Published figure[21][22] | No reliable data |
| Which versions to buy | ||
| BuyRecommended versions | ||
| With cautionVersions to be cautious about | ||
| AvoidVersions to avoid | 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
Other comparisons
With the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.2 PureTech
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 PureTech
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.2 TCe
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 EcoBoost
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.3 TCe
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.6 EcoBoost
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 2.0 TSI / TFSI
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs Audi 3.0 TFSI V6
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs BMW B38 / B37
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs BMW B48 / B38
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs BMW B58
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs BMW M54
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs BMW N13
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs BMW N20
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs BMW N43/N46
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs BMW N52 / N53
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs BMW N54/N55
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs BMW N62 / N63
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.2 8v Fire
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.4 T-Jet
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.5 EcoBoost
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 / 1.5 VTEC Turbo
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs Honda IMA híbrido
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 T-GDI
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.6 GDI / T-GDI
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 / 1.25 MPi
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs Smartstream 1.6 T-GDi
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 2.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs MZR gasolina
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs Skyactiv-G
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs M111
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs M112 / M113
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs M264/M254
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs M260
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs M271
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs M272/M273
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs M270/M274
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs MIVEC gasolina
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs Mitsubishi PHEV
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.6 DIG-T
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 2.0 MR20DE / 2.5 QR25DE
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.6 16v HR16DE / H4M
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.4 Turbo
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs Porsche V8 and V6 (Cayenne and Panamera)
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.4/1.6 VTi
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.6 THP
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 0.9 TCe
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 SCe (B4D)
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 TCe / SCe
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.4 and 1.6 8v
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.2 16v
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs E-Tech Híbrido
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.4 and 1.6 16v
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs Rover K-Series
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.5 K15B (Jimny)
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 VVT-i
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.2 Turbo
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.33 Dual VVT-i
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 VVT-i
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.5 Hybrid
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.6 Dual VVT-i
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.8 Hybrid
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 2.0 and 2.4 VVT-i
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 2.0 and 2.5 Hybrid
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs Drive-E gasolina
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.0 MPI
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.2 12V
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 1.8 T 20v
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs 2.0 FSI
- 1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs VW 2.0 TFSI EA113
With the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.2 PureTech
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0 PureTech
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.2 TCe
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0 EcoBoost
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.3 TCe
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.6 EcoBoost
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 2.0 TSI / TFSI
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs Audi 3.0 TFSI V6
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs BMW B38 / B37
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs BMW B48 / B38
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs BMW B58
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs BMW M54
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs BMW N13
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs BMW N20
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs BMW N43/N46
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs BMW N52 / N53
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs BMW N54/N55
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs BMW N62 / N63
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.2 8v Fire
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.4 T-Jet
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.5 EcoBoost
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTEC
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0 / 1.5 VTEC Turbo
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs Honda IMA híbrido
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0 T-GDI
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.6 GDI / T-GDI
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0 / 1.25 MPi
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs Smartstream 1.6 T-GDi
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 2.0 / 2.4 GDI and T-GDI (Theta II)
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium gasolina
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs MZR gasolina
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs Skyactiv-G
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs M111
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs M112 / M113
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs M264/M254
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs M260
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs M271
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs M272/M273
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs M270/M274
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs MIVEC gasolina
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs Mitsubishi PHEV
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.6 DIG-T
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 2.0 MR20DE / 2.5 QR25DE
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.6 16v HR16DE / H4M
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.4 Turbo
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs Porsche V8 and V6 (Cayenne and Panamera)
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.4/1.6 VTi
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.6 THP
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 0.9 TCe
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0 SCe (B4D)
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0 TCe / SCe
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.4 and 1.6 8v
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.2 16v
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs E-Tech Híbrido
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 2.0 16v F4R and F4RT
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.4 and 1.6 16v
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs Rover K-Series
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.5 K15B (Jimny)
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0 VVT-i
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.2 Turbo
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.33 Dual VVT-i
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 VVT-i
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.5 Hybrid
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.6 Dual VVT-i
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.8 Hybrid
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 2.0 and 2.4 VVT-i
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 2.0 and 2.5 Hybrid
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs Drive-E gasolina
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.0 MPI
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.2 12V
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 1.8 T 20v
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs 2.0 FSI
- 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 vs VW 2.0 TFSI EA113
Compare other engines
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- VW 1.2 TSI & 1.4 TSI Steuerkette: VW kassiert Kulanz-VersprechenAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 1 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Probleme und Schwachstellen beim 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI (EA111)Gebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · published 1 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Volkswagen CAVD 1.4 Litre TSI Engine ProblemsGrant Walker (taller, Australia) · Other source · published 28 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
- VW Golf 7: Probleme, Mängel & Schwachstellencarwiki.de · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
- Peugeot 307 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 November 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
- Peugeot 407 problems (reseña de Graham Smith)CarsGuide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 17 March 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
- Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 406 1995-2004 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 407 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C8 2002-2015 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Self-Study Programme 359: 1.4l TSI Engine with Dual-chargingVolkswagen AG (copia alojada en volkspage.net) · Manufacturer · published March 2006 · consulted 26 September 2026
- Volkswagen EA111 engine (1.2 TSI/TFSI)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
- Volkswagen EA211 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
- Audi A1Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
- International Driving Presentation of the new Polo BlueGTVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 2 July 2012 · consulted 26 September 2026
- Peugeot 406Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
- Peugeot 307 2.0 16V 140 ch: courroie de distribution (intervalo, tiempo y riesgo)Mecazen · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Coste de cambiar la cadena de distribución: guía VW Audi TSISkanyx · Other source · published 25 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Problemas en la cadena de distribución: casos y costeGT Autos (Málaga) · Other source · published 22 December 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- VW: Austritt von Motoröl möglichautoservicepraxis.de · Motoring press · published 16 August 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 1998-2006 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara Picasso 1999-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C4 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Bei älteren VW 1.2 TSi-Motoren: Gefahr einer Längung der Steuerkettefebi bilstein (blog técnico) · Technical documentation · published 28 January 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- ADAC Pannenstatistik 2019 (anexo: defectos por encima de la media por modelo)ADAC e.V. · Reliability study · published 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 607 2000-2011 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Bulletin – Volkswagen 1.4 Piston FailureSouthside Cylinder Heads (taller, Australia) · Other source · published 6 December 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026