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1.3 Multijet vs 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet carries less risk than the 1.3 Multijet: 25/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The 1.3 Multijet has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure»; the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.3 Multijet

64

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet

25

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

16 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.3 Multijet reliable?

The 1.3 Multijet is a reliable diesel in the basics, but it has a known weak point across all its brands: the timing chain and its tensioner can stretch or fail if oil changes are neglected, with a risk of serious damage. In urban use, the EGR valve, the particulate filter and the variable-geometry turbo add to the list.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.3 Multijet faults

Is the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet reliable?

The five-cylinder 2.4 JTD/JTDm is powerful but more delicate in its 20V version. Auto Świat says the 10V rarely breaks down on its own; on the 20V, owner testimonies for the 200 and 210 hp Alfa 159 pile up mentions of the EGR and particulate filter, and the 200 hp had the manifold flap failure that Fiat corrected in 2007.[5][6]

See the 4 of the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 Multijet and 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet
1.3 Multijet2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,248 cm³2,387 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power69–105 hp136–210 hp
Production2003–2024[7][8][9]1998–2011[5][7][10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)64High risk25Moderate risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity40
Worst severityCritical severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure
  2. High severity: Incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution
  3. High severity: Seized variable-geometry turbo
  1. Medium severity: Intake manifold flap failure (swirl flaps)
  2. Medium severity: Clogged or faulty EGR valve on the 2.4 JTD and JTDm
  3. Medium severity: Injector failure and diesel leaks on the 2.4 JTDm
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelPublished figure[3]up to €800Clogged or faulty EGR valve on the 2.4 JTD and JTDmPublished figure[13]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 Multijet 8v (69-105 hp, 2003-2009)[1][2][3]
  • 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 5 (75-95 hp, 2009-2015)[2][4]
  • 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 6 (95 hp, 2015-2020)[2][4]
  • 2.4 JTDm / Multijet 20V (175-185 hp, 2003-2009)[5][14]
  • 2.4 JTDm / Multijet 20V 200 hp (2005-2011)[5][6]
  • 2.4 JTDm 20V 210 hp (Alfa Romeo, 2007-2010)[5][6][15][16]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.3 Multijet

See the 20 models with the 1.3 Multijet

2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet

See the 7 models with the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 Multijet

With the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiat 1.3 Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. 1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
  5. Silnik 2.4 JTD: mocny i trwały, ale czasem też kapryśnyAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 26 September 2011 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in another language
  6. Fiabilité Alfa-romeo 159 (2005-2012) (428 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  7. Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  8. Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  9. Motor Fiat 1.3 JTD 16v: más información sobre el motorkm77 · Technical documentation · published September 2002 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Alfa Romeo Brera (guía del taller)The Alfa Workshop · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  11. Alfa Romeo 159Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  12. SCHAEFFLER - ALFA ROMEO 159 (939_) 2.4 JTDM (939AXD)Rolling Kft. (catálogo) · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026
  13. ¿Qué precio tiene cambiar una válvula EGR?RACE (Real Automóvil Club de España) · Other source · published 17 June 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Fiabilité Alfa-romeo 156: pannes par motorisation (2.4 JTD)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  15. Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTD 210 ch 93 000 km (2008, Ti): avis d'un propriétaireFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · published 26 January 2013 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  16. Guía de compra del Alfa Romeo 159 de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 9 February 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish