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DS DS 3 (2009–2019)

DS DS 3 1.6 HDi 100 and 120 hp problems

The DS DS 3 used the 1.6 HDi from 2010 to 2019 (1.6 e-HDi, 1.6 BlueHDi 100 and 1.6 BlueHDi 120). 6 documented faults affect it; the most important is “timing belt failure and premature wear” (high severity, very frequent). Our verdict depends on the version: “Buy” for 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 92/95 8V (DV6D, 2009-2016); “With caution” for 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 112/115 8V (DV6C, 2010-2015) and 1.6 BlueHDi 75/100/120 (DV6FE / DV6FD / DV6FC, 2013-2019). It is the safest option among the documented engines of the DS DS 3.

DS DS 3 (2009–2019)
Photo: Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.

Engine score on this car

3.7 out of 10Low reliability

Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the DS 3. How we calculate it

Overall score for the DS DS 3

5.3 out of 10Acceptable reliability

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

18 sourcesHow we work

1.6 HDi

Safest option

PSA/Ford 1.6 HDi, e-HDi, TDCi and BlueHDi (DV6) · Diesel

In the DS 3
2010–2019[1][2][3][4]
Names
1.6 e-HDi · 1.6 BlueHDi 100 · 1.6 BlueHDi 120
Faults that affect it
6 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
63
High risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 92/95 8V (DV6D, 2009-2016)2009–2016 · 92–95 hp · DV6D, DV6DTED, 9HP

    Buy

    According to the testimonies collected by Fiches-Auto, the 92 hp is clearly more reliable than the other outputs; with correct maintenance and the belt up to date it has no specific serious faults documented.[5][6]

  • 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 112/115 8V (DV6C, 2010-2015)2010–2015 · 112–115 hp · DV6C, DV6CTED, 9HR

    With caution

    More reliable than the 16V engines on the turbo, but you need to check PSA's action on the belt (units from October 2010 to September 2011) and whether the 2011-2014 Continental injectors were replaced.[7][8]

  • 1.6 BlueHDi 75/100/120 (DV6FE / DV6FD / DV6FC, 2013-2019)2013–2019 · 75–120 hp · DV6FC, DV6FD, DV6FE, DV6FCTED, DV6FDTED

    With caution

    The mechanics derive from the 8V engines, but the AdBlue system is its main source of faults; check that there are no emissions warnings and whether the car falls within Stellantis's extended warranty.[9][10][11]

Faults that affect the DS 3

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 1.6 HDi has 7 documented faults in total.

  1. High severityFrequency: Very frequentTimingTiming belt failure and premature wearOn the 8-valve 1.6 HDi/e-HDi 112/115 built between October 2010 and September 2011 the belt could break and leave the car stranded. PSA covered the repair and in 2014 preventively replaced the belt and crankshaft sprocket on those that had passed 120,000 km.
  2. Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentEmissions controlAdBlue tank and pump fault (1.6 BlueHDi)The 1.6 BlueHDi engines (2013-2019) suffer from the AdBlue tank defect of Stellantis diesels: an emissions warning appears with a countdown until starting is prevented. Replacing the tank, with the integrated pump, costs over €1,000 (price in Spain), but there is an extended warranty of up to 8 years.Repair: €1,000–€1,200
  3. Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionLeaks at the injector washers and carbon build-up in the cylinder headIt is common for the copper washers of the 1.6 HDi injectors to stop sealing: the engine blows gases, carbon forms around the injector and soot gets into the oil. It is cheap to repair, but if left it contaminates the oil and is one of the causes of turbo failure.Repair (garage): €110–€310
  4. Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionJerking and injection faults on the 1.6 e-HDi 112/115 (Continental injectors)The 112 and 115 hp 1.6 HDi/e-HDi built between late 2011 and February 2014 can jerk and turn on the engine warning light because of an internal electrical defect in their Continental injectors. PSA covered their replacement depending on age and mileage.
  5. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlAdditive-fed particulate filter (Eolys cerine): depleted additive and cloggingThe DPF on the 1.6 HDi and BlueHDi works with an additive (cerine) that runs out at 80,000-120,000 km and has to be topped up for around €100-120 (price in Spain). With a lot of town use the filter clogs and the warning appears; if it is left, a new DPF costs around €1,500.Repair (garage): €100–€1,500Appears at around 80,000 km
  6. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlDirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaksThe 1.6 HDi EGR valve gets dirty easily, especially in town use, and causes jerking and stalling at idle. On the 8V engines the EGR cooler also fails, consuming coolant with no visible leaks.

All versions and faults of the 1.6 HDi

What to check before buying a used DS DS 3 1.6 HDi 100 and 120 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 HDi (2010–2019)

Timing belt failure and premature wear

High severity

AdBlue tank and pump fault (1.6 BlueHDi)

Medium severity

Leaks at the injector washers and carbon build-up in the cylinder head

Medium severity

Jerking and injection faults on the 1.6 e-HDi 112/115 (Continental injectors)

Medium severity

Additive-fed particulate filter (Eolys cerine): depleted additive and clogging

Medium severity

Dirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaks

Medium severity

Other engines and gearboxes of the DS DS 3

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

Faults of the DS DS 3 outside the engine

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

Buying a DS DS 3 1.6 HDi 100 and 120 hp?

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Frequently asked questions

Is the DS DS 3 1.6 HDi 100 and 120 hp reliable?

The DS DS 3 used the 1.6 HDi from 2010 to 2019 (1.6 e-HDi, 1.6 BlueHDi 100 and 1.6 BlueHDi 120). 6 documented faults affect it; the most important is “timing belt failure and premature wear” (high severity, very frequent). Our verdict depends on the version: “Buy” for 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 92/95 8V (DV6D, 2009-2016); “With caution” for 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 112/115 8V (DV6C, 2010-2015) and 1.6 BlueHDi 75/100/120 (DV6FE / DV6FD / DV6FC, 2013-2019). It is the safest option among the documented engines of the DS DS 3.

What faults does the DS DS 3 1.6 HDi 100 and 120 hp have?

The documented ones that affect this car are: timing belt failure and premature wear (high severity), adBlue tank and pump fault (1.6 BlueHDi) (medium severity), leaks at the injector washers and carbon build-up in the cylinder head (medium severity), jerking and injection faults on the 1.6 e-HDi 112/115 (Continental injectors) (medium severity), additive-fed particulate filter (Eolys cerine): depleted additive and clogging (medium severity) and dirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaks (medium severity).

Which engine should you choose for the DS DS 3?

The safest option is the 1.6 HDi in its 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 92/95 8V (DV6D, 2009-2016) version, with a «Buy» verdict.

Own a DS DS 3 1.6 HDi 100 and 120 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.

  1. Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ?L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  2. Peugeot DV6CTED engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  3. Peugeot DV6DTED engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  4. Motor Peugeot DV6FCTED: especificaciones y aplicacionesMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Fiabilité 1.6 HDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 22 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  6. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 92 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ? (1.6 HDi 112/115)L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  8. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 112 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité 1.6 BlueHDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 9 December 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  10. Adblue : problèmes en pagaille ?Fiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  11. OCU y BEUC consiguen que Stellantis amplíe la garantía de los coches con AdBlueOCU · Consumer association · published 27 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Plan d'entretien 308 (T9) Diesel 1.6 BlueHDi 100 S&S BVM5Peugeot (documento alojado en forum-peugeot.com) · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  13. PSA 1.5-1.6-2.0 BlueHDi. Défaut du réservoir d'Adblue pris en chargeL'argus · Motoring press · published 6 March 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  14. Compensaciones para los usuarios de vehículos Citroën, DS, Opel y Peugeot afectados por un fallo de fabricación de los depósitos AdBlueConsumo Responde (Junta de Andalucía) · Official body · published April 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Boletín de servicio: sustitución del turbo en motores DV6 (versión reducida de la Información de servicio nº 77)Turbotec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Changer les joints d'injecteurs 1.6 HDI : procédure et étapesInjecteurland · Technical documentation · published 23 January 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  17. El filtro de partículas en motores diéselMidcar · Technical documentation · published 18 October 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Cómo funciona el filtro de partículas de PSACarbon Cleaner · Other source · published 13 February 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish