1.3 Multijet vs 1.7 CRDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.7 CRDi carries less risk than the 1.3 Multijet: 38/100 (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 1.7 CRDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Injectors that lose calibration with mileage».

Risk index

1.3 Multijet

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

1.7 CRDi

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202613 sources How 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 1.7 CRDi reliable?

The 1.7 CRDi (U2 D4FD, 2010-2018) is a reasonably reliable diesel if it is properly maintained, with one specific documented problem in cold weather: power loss and stalling caused by the turbo actuator, the diesel filter and the glow plugs. It also suffers the emissions-system wear (EGR, DPF) typical of its generation, injectors that can lose calibration and, in a particular mileage range, high-pressure pump failures.^[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.7 CRDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 Multijet and 1.7 CRDi
Item	1.3 Multijet	1.7 CRDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,248 cm³	1,685 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	69–105 hp	115–141 hp
Production	2003–2024^[8][9][10]	2010–2018^{[5][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	38Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	4	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure High severity: Incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution High severity: Seized variable-geometry turbo	High severity: Injectors that lose calibration with mileage High severity: High-pressure fuel pump failure Medium severity: Seized turbo actuator (VGT) and power loss when cold
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelPublished figure^[3]	up to €2,000High-pressure fuel pump failurePublished figure^[7]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
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]	1.7 CRDi U2 (D4FD, 115-141 hp, sold in Spain 2010-2018)^[6][7]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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

1.7 CRDi

See the 8 models with the 1.7 CRDi

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 Multijet

With the 1.7 CRDi

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Sources

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

Fiat 1.3 Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
Hyundai U engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Kia Sportage 1.7 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Hyundai iX35 1.7 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Motor Fiat 1.3 JTD 16v: más información sobre el motorkm77 · Technical documentation · published September 2002 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Kia Sportage - Timing Belt or Timing Chain?cochesconcadena.com · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Hyundai Tucson 2015 | Precios, datos y equipamientoskm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
KIA Sportage 2016 | Precios, datos y equipamientoskm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish