1.4 T-Jet engine: faults and reliability

• 1.4 16v Turbo T-Jet (without MultiAir, 2007-2010)

  2007–2010 · 120–165 hp

  With caution

  We have not found reports documenting widespread faults specific to this first series without MultiAir, but it shares its turbocharger and block with the later series: the reliability pages we consulted for models with this engine (including the Fiat Tipo, which uses the non-MultiAir version) repeatedly document turbo wear and oil consumption. It is worth checking the service history before buying.^[6][11][12]

• 1.4 MultiAir Turbo (2009-2020)

  2009–2020 · 105–180 hp · 940A2000, 940C2000

  With caution

  The reliability pages and owner reports we consulted for the Fiat 500X, Alfa Romeo MiTo, Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass repeatedly document three problems: turbocharger wear or failure (sometimes at very low mileage), faults in the MultiAir/UniAir unit itself and high oil consumption. No manufacturer has acknowledged a specific campaign or extended warranty, so it is worth checking the history and test driving the car both cold and warm before buying.^{[1][2][3][4][5][13][14]}

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

1. 1High severityFrequency: CommonTurboPremature turbocharger failure or wearOn the Fiat 500X, Fiat Tipo, Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass there are recurring reports of turbocharger failure, sometimes at very low mileage (from 15,000 km); the manufacturer has offered occasional goodwill discounts, but there is no official campaign.Repair: €1,100–€2,300Appears at around 15,000 km
2. 2Medium severityFrequency: CommonIntakeMultiAir (UniAir) electro-hydraulic unit failureThe MultiAir (UniAir) electro-hydraulic unit, which controls the intake valves using oil pressure, can fail and cause misfires and the engine light to come on; on the Alfa Romeo MiTo there is a documented case of replacement at 50,000 km for €1,400, with no warranty cover.Repair: €1,250–€1,800Appears at around 12,000 km
3. 3Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationHigh oil consumptionThe Fiat 500X, Fiat Tipo, Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta have accumulated reports of above-normal oil consumption, in some cases up to 1 litre per 1,000 km; keep an eye on the level between services and do not wait for the warning light.Appears at around 60,000 km
4. 4Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionMisfires and ignition coil faultsOn the Alfa Romeo MiTo there are reports of misfires that owners attribute to the coils, spark plugs and the MultiAir itself all at once, with the engine light on; we do not find the same pattern with the same clarity on the other models with this engine.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

Manufacturer

Fiat (hoy Stellantis)

Family

FIRE (Fully Integrated Robotized Engine), variante turbo de 16 válvulas comercializada como T-Jet (TB en Alfa Romeo, TurboJet en Lancia) y, desde 2009, con tecnología MultiAir/UniAir

Fuel

Petrol

Displacement

1,368 cm³

Cylinders

4

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Indirect injection

Timing

Timing belt (dry)

Power

105–205 hp

Peak torque

250 Nm

Production

2007–2024

Makes

Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Jeep

Technical data^{[7][8][9][10]}

1. 2007–2010

   1.4 16v Turbo T-Jet (without MultiAir, 2007-2010)

   First generation of the 1.4 16v turbo derived from the FIRE block, introduced in 2007 in the Fiat Bravo with conventional mechanical valve actuation (no MultiAir). Fiat and Abarth offered it with outputs from 120 to 165 hp in the Bravo, the Grande Punto and the first Abarth 500 and Alfa Romeo MiTo, before MultiAir technology began to replace it progressively from 2009-2010.^[7][8][10]

2. 2009–2020

   1.4 MultiAir Turbo (2009-2020)

   Starting with the 2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo and progressively across the rest of the range, Fiat replaced the mechanical actuation of the intake valves with the electro-hydraulic MultiAir system (UniAir in the terminology of some suppliers), which varies the timing and lift of the valves by controlling oil pressure. Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Jeep offered it with outputs from 105 to 180 hp depending on the model.^[7][9][20]