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Citroën C2 1.4 HDi 68 hp problems

The Citroën C2 used the 1.4 HDi from 2004 to 2009 (1.4 HDi 68). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape” (medium severity, very frequent). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the Citroën C2, the safest option is the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5.

Citroën C2 (2003–2009) — Photo: Autor desconocido · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.

Engine score on this car

5.7 out of 10Acceptable reliability

Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the C2. How we calculate it

Overall score for the Citroën C2

6.9 out of 10Acceptable reliability

Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown

Reviewed on 5 October 20264 sources How we work

1.4 HDi

PSA/Ford 1.4 HDi and TDCi (DV4TD) · Diesel

In the C2: 2004–2009^[1][2]
Name: 1.4 HDi 68
Faults that affect it: 5 · 1 of high or critical severity

Risk index on this car

Moderate risk

Verdict for the version it uses

1.4 HDi/TDCi 54/68/70 8V (DV4TD, 2001-2009)2001–2009 · 54–70 hp · DV4TD, 8HT, 8HX, 8HZ
With caution
It shares the injector fragility of the rest of the family, documented in both the 68 and 70 hp versions, along with occasional turbo and EGR valve failures. It is worth buying with a maintenance history and no noticeable diesel leaks.^[3][4]

Faults that affect the C2

Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentInjectionInjectors that lose their seal and let diesel escapeThe most cited weak point of the 1.4 HDi is its injectors: over time they can lose their seal and let diesel escape, which is usually noticed as a smell of diesel in the car. It appears in the two most common outputs (68 and 70 hp) and in both cases it is identified as the engine's main weakness.
High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt and water pumpThe 1.4 HDi uses a timing belt (with an additional short chain on the 16-valve version), and Fiches-Auto documents some of its failures, along with the water pump, at around 100,000 km. We have not found the manufacturer's official change interval in a reliable source.
Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboPremature turbo wear from poor lubricationThe BorgWarner KP35 turbo of the 8-valve version can wear out early when the oil degrades and forms carbon deposits, reducing its lubrication. It is a minority but recurring fault: it appears in just over 9% of the reports collected for the 68 hp version.
Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlEGR valve clogged with carbonThe EGR valve, which recirculates part of the exhaust gases to reduce emissions, can seize or clog up with the carbon those gases carry. It appears in a noticeable minority of the reports collected for the 68 hp version.
Medium severityFrequency: RareTimingCrankshaft damper pulley wearThe crankshaft pulley incorporates a rubber ring that dampens engine vibrations and that can lose grip or crack over time. We have found only one specific report of this fault (a Peugeot 206 at around 250,000 km), so we do not consider it a widespread fault.

All versions and faults of the 1.4 HDi

The Citroën C2 by year

Which engines were sold each year and which faults affect the cars of that year.

2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009

What to check before buying a used Citroën C2 1.4 HDi 68 hp

Each point comes from a documented fault that affects this car. You can tick them off as you inspect it.

If it has the 1.4 HDi (2004–2009)

Injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape

Medium severity

Start the car from cold and check whether you notice a smell of diesel inside the cabin or in the engine bay.^[3]
Ask whether washers or injectors have already been replaced and ask for the corresponding invoice.

Timing belt and water pump

High severity

Ask for the invoice for the last timing belt and water pump change, with date and mileage.
If there is no invoice and the car has more than 100,000 km, expect to do the preventive replacement as part of the purchase budget.^[4]

Premature turbo wear from poor lubrication

Medium severity

Listen with the engine warm for whistling or whining when accelerating.
Ask for the invoices for oil and filter changes: respected intervals are the best protection against this fault.^[3]
Check the oil level and appearance (it should not be black and thick) and look for traces of oil on the turbo hoses or the intercooler.

EGR valve clogged with carbon

Medium severity

Ask whether the EGR has ever been cleaned or replaced and whether the car has shown engine fault warnings.
Check the idle when cold and warm: if it is unstable or the engine pulls badly when cold, have the fault codes read.

Crankshaft damper pulley wear

Medium severity

Visually inspect the pulley's rubber ring for cracks, separation or signs that it is off-centre.^[4]
Pay attention to new vibrations or noises coming from the timing area, especially on high-mileage cars.

Other engines and gearboxes of the Citroën C2

Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.

1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU52003–2009 · 5 faultsHigh severity6.4 out of 10

Faults of the Citroën C2 outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.

Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchSensodrive automated gearbox faults on the Citroën C2C2 owners with the Sensodrive automated gearbox describe jerking, hesitation when engaging a gear and refusal to select a gear, according to the reports on fiches-auto.fr. There is no known public recall.
Low severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchPremature clutch wear on the Citroën C2According to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the C2 clutch appears in around 24 mentions out of 235 reports, with premature wear between 45,000 and 100,000 km. No public recall or bulletin is on record.
Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionWear of the top mounts and shock absorbers in the Citroën C2 suspensionThe fiches-auto.fr profile records around 22 mentions of C2 suspension and running gear: noises from worn top mounts and bearings between 90,000 and 150,000 km, shock absorbers failing earlier in some cases and springs breaking at high mileage.
Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemWindow motor and BSI module faults on the Citroën C2On the C2, the reports on fiches-auto.fr cite around 28 electrical mentions: window motors, door wiring and BSI module faults, plus false airbag warnings. No public recall is on record.

Buying a Citroën C2 1.4 HDi 68 hp?

Check the history before buyingMileage, inspection record (ITV in Spain), outstanding finance and accidents for the car you are interested in, from the registration number or the VIN.Request a report

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

The 1.4 HDi in other cars

Citroën C1 I
Citroën C3 I
Citroën C3 II
Ford Fiesta V
Ford Fiesta VII
Ford Fusion
Mazda 2 I
Peugeot 206
Peugeot 207
Peugeot 1007
Toyota Aygo I

What are you noticing on your Citroën C2?

Choose what you notice and we will tell you which faults of this car cause it.

Engine warning light4
Jerking3
Less power2
Uses more fuel2
Chain noise2
Overheating2
Vibrations1
Blue smoke1
Slipping clutch1
Coolant level drops1
Window/lock failure1
Engine stalls1

Frequently asked questions

Is the Citroën C2 1.4 HDi 68 hp reliable?

What faults does the Citroën C2 1.4 HDi 68 hp have?

The documented ones that affect this car are: injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape (medium severity), timing belt and water pump (high severity), premature turbo wear from poor lubrication (medium severity), EGR valve clogged with carbon (medium severity) and crankshaft damper pulley wear (medium severity).

Which engine should you choose for the Citroën C2?

The safest option is the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5, with a «Buy» verdict.

Own a Citroën C2 1.4 HDi 68 hp? Tell us what 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.

Peugeot DV4TD engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Citroën C2Wikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 68 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 70 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French