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1.3 Multijet vs 2.5 / 3.0 D-4D (KD): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.5 / 3.0 D-4D (KD) carries less risk than the 1.3 Multijet: 63/100 versus 64/100 (both high risk). The 1.3 Multijet has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure»; the 2.5 / 3.0 D-4D (KD) has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked pistons in the 3.0 D-4D (1KD-FTV)».

Risk index

1.3 Multijet

64

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

2.5 / 3.0 D-4D (KD)

63

High risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

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

18 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 2.5 / 3.0 D-4D (KD) reliable?

Toyota's KD diesels (2.5 D-4D, 2KD-FTV, and 3.0 D-4D, 1KD-FTV) have their best-documented weak points in the injectors: the copper seats of the 2004-2007 units, which can block the oil pickup, and the Denso injectors of the 3.0. The 3.0 of the Euro 4 era also has a record of cracked pistons; for the 2.5 we have only found the injector seal problem.[5][6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 2.5 / 3.0 D-4D (KD) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.3 Multijet and 2.5 / 3.0 D-4D (KD)
1.3 Multijet2.5 / 3.0 D-4D (KD)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,248 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power69–105 hp102–190 hp
Production2003–2024[10][11][12]since 2000[5][13][14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)64High risk63High risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity43
Worst severityCritical severityCritical 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. Critical severity: Cracked pistons in the 3.0 D-4D (1KD-FTV)
  2. Critical severity: Leaking copper injector seats and blocked oil pickup
  3. High severity: Denso injector failure in the 3.0 D-4D (blockage and wear)
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelPublished figure[3]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
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]
  • 2.5 D-4D 102-120 hp (2KD-FTV, 2005-2011)[7]
  • 2.5 D-4D 144 hp (2KD-FTV, 2011-2016)[7][17]
  • 3.0 D-4D 163-166 hp (1KD-FTV, Land Cruiser J120, 2003-2006)[5][18]
  • 3.0 D-4D 173 hp (1KD-FTV, Euro 4, Land Cruiser J120, 2006-2009)[5][7][9]
  • 3.0 D-4D 171 hp (1KD-FTV, Hilux, 2005-2016)[6][17]
  • 3.0 D-4D 190 hp (1KD-FTV, Euro 5, Land Cruiser J150, 2010-2015)[8][9]
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

Other comparisons

With the 1.3 Multijet

With the 2.5 / 3.0 D-4D (KD)

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. Toyota 1KD-FTV 3.0 D-4D: ficha del motor, puntos débiles y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. D4D Toyota HiLux common problems and solutionsUnsealed 4x4 · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Toyota Hilux (2005 - 2012) used car reviewRAC Drive · Motoring press · published 17 February 2017 · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Toyota Land Cruiser 150: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 20 January 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  9. 1KD-FTV - piston crackToyota-Club.net · Other source · published October 2015 · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  11. Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  12. Motor Fiat 1.3 JTD 16v: más información sobre el motorkm77 · Technical documentation · published September 2002 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Toyota KD engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Allgemeine Daten zum Toyota Hilux Double Cab 3.0 D-4D Life 4x4 (12/11 - 08/14)ADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Allgemeine Daten zum Toyota Hilux Single Cab 2.5 D-4D 4x2 (12/11 - 08/16)ADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  16. Allgemeine Daten zum Toyota Land Cruiser 3.0 D-4D (5-Türer, 01/11 - 10/13)ADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  17. Vanliga fel: Toyota Hilux (guía de averías comunes)BilKoll · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  18. Toyota Land Cruiser 125 D4-DAutofácil · Motoring press · published 2 February 2011 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish