Citroën C5 II 1.6 THP 156 hp problems
The Citroën C5 II used the 1.6 THP from 2008 to 2017 (1.6 THP 156). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)” (critical severity, common). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the Citroën C5 II, the safest option is the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12.
Engine score on this car
3.6 out of 10Low reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the C5 II. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Citroën C5 II
5.5 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
PSA/BMW 1.6 THP and 1.6 VTi (familia Prince, EP6) · Petrol
- In the C5 II
- 2008–2017[1]
- Name
- 1.6 THP 156
- Faults that affect it
- 5 · 2 of high or critical severity
Verdict for the version it uses
1.6 THP medium output (EP6DT/EP6DTS/EP6CDT, N14/N18; 140-190 hp)2006–2018 · 140–190 hp · EP6DT, EP6DTS, EP6CDT, N14, N18
With cautionReal risk of stretching of the timing chain and tensioner on pre-2012 units, which can be checked by listening to the engine cold and reviewing the service history; it also shares the oil consumption and the high-pressure pump failures documented across the whole turbo family.[2][3][4]
Faults that affect the C5 II
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)Yes: on the turbo versions of the 1.6 THP, built mostly before 2012, the timing chain and its tensioner wear out prematurely; if the chain jumps teeth, the engine can go out of time or seize. BMW, co-designer of the block, issued a technical bulletin on this fault in 2013.
- High severityFrequency: CommonCoolingFragile water pump and heat exchangerYes: both the naturally aspirated 1.6 VTi and the turbo 1.6 THP share, according to fiches-auto.fr, a water pump and a heat exchanger described as fragile; in the most serious cases, the resulting overheating has gone as far as damaging the cylinder head.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionHigh-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versionsThe high-pressure pump that feeds the direct injection of the turbo (THP) versions can fail. MINI, which uses the same block in the Cooper S, extended the warranty on this part in 2010 to 10 years or 192,000 km for 2007-2009 models in the US, without the need for a recall.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationOil consumption on the turbo versionsYes: oil consumption between changes is one of the defects that the French motoring press repeatedly associates with the turbo versions of the 1.6 THP, used by Peugeot, Citroën and MINI. We have not found that PSA or BMW acknowledged a specific campaign or extended warranty for this reason.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionSpark plugs and ignition coils that wear out early on the 1.6 THPOn the 1.6 THP turbo a noticeable minority of owners replace spark plugs and coils earlier than expected: fiches-auto.fr records ignition warnings in 12% of opinions on the 200 hp THP. It causes judder and the engine warning light.
What to check before buying a used Citroën C5 II 1.6 THP 156 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 1.6 THP (2008–2017)
Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)
Critical severityFragile water pump and heat exchanger
High severityHigh-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions
Medium severityOil consumption on the turbo versions
Medium severityOther engines and gearboxes of the Citroën C5 II
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the Citroën C5 II outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- High severityFrequency: CommonSuspensionLoss of ride height, leaks and failure of the Hydractive suspensionIn a reliability survey with 650 reviews of the C5 II (2008-2017), the suspension and shock absorbers account for 62 cases; a German used-car guide adds leaks from the hydropneumatic sphere cylinders and hydraulic block failures beyond a certain mileage on versions with Hydractive 3+ suspension.Appears at around 90,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonGearbox and clutchClutch and dual-mass flywheel wear on manual dieselsOn manual-gearbox diesel versions, the clutch and the dual-mass flywheel account for a very high number of cases in the reliability survey -up to 54 of 117 reports on the 2.0 HDi 140 hp-, wear that a German used-car guide confirms as a known weak point of the generation; the BVA6 automatic gearbox does not show the same pattern.Appears at around 20,000 km
- Critical severityFrequency: RareAirbags and safetyRisk of the driver's airbag not deploying in a collision (April-May 2016 production)An EU safety alert (RAPEX A12/1011/16) covers C5s built between 22 April and 5 May 2016 in which the driver's airbag might not deploy in a collision because of the possible failure of one of its components.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemShort-circuit risk from rubbing of the starter motor cable (2015-2016 production)An EU alert (RAPEX A12/0997/17) covers C5s built between 30 June 2015 and 29 April 2016 in which the starter motor terminal was incorrectly positioned and could rub against the EGR valve, damaging the cable insulation and creating a risk of a short circuit.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsFast, uneven tyre wear, especially on the front tyresThe same survey documents 51 cases of uneven tyre wear, sometimes on all four wheels but especially on the front ones, with reports of replacement between 15,000 and 40,000 km, well below the usual service life.Appears at around 15,000 km
Buying a Citroën C5 II 1.6 THP 156 hp?
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The Citroën C5 II has 2 documented recalls and campaigns. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the Citroën C5 II 1.6 THP 156 hp reliable?
The Citroën C5 II used the 1.6 THP from 2008 to 2017 (1.6 THP 156). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)” (critical severity, common). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the Citroën C5 II, the safest option is the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12.
What faults does the Citroën C5 II 1.6 THP 156 hp have?
The documented ones that affect this car are: timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012) (critical severity), fragile water pump and heat exchanger (high severity), high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions (medium severity), oil consumption on the turbo versions (medium severity) and spark plugs and ignition coils that wear out early on the 1.6 THP (medium severity).
Which engine should you choose for the Citroën C5 II?
The safest option is the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12, with a «Buy» verdict.
Own a Citroën C5 II 1.6 THP 156 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.
- Citroën C5Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- BMW Recalls Fuel Pumps. Mini Does NotMotoringFile · Motoring press · published 27 October 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026
- Prince engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French