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1.6 CRDi vs 1.6 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 dCi carries less risk than the 1.6 CRDi: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 70/100 (high risk). The 1.6 CRDi has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «MHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid)»; the 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage».

Risk index

1.6 CRDi

70

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

1.6 dCi

48

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

21 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 CRDi reliable?

The U2 D4FB (2009-2018) is a generally robust diesel if well maintained, with known turbo failures in the early units and timing chain problems from 120,000-150,000 km. Its successor, the Smartstream (U3 D4FE, from 2018), has a good reputation, except in the 48V mild hybrid version, which has a belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley fault that can destroy the engine.[1][2][3]

See the 6 of the 1.6 CRDi faults

Is the 1.6 dCi reliable?

The 1.6 dCi (R9M) is a diesel with a generally reasonable track record, but with well-documented known faults: the turbo fails relatively often, even at low mileage, the EGR valve clogs, the particulate filter can block up on short journeys, and there are cases of oil leaks from the timing chain cover that go as far as requiring the engine to be removed.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.6 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CRDi and 1.6 dCi
1.6 CRDi1.6 dCi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,582 cm³1,598 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power90–136 hp95–165 hp
Productionsince 2009[1][8][9][10]2011–2020[5][11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)70High risk48Moderate risk
Documented faults65
Of high or critical severity42
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: MHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid)
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch
  3. High severity: Premature variable-geometry turbo (VGT) failure
  1. High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or breakage
  2. High severity: Oil leak from the timing chain cover
  3. Medium severity: Blocked or failed EGR valve
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,800Particulate filter (DPF) blocked in urban usePublished figure[15]up to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure[16]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi U3 (D4FE, 115-136 hp, without mild hybrid, from 2018)[2][17]
  • 1.6 dCi in Mercedes-Benz (OM 622/OM 626, 115 and 136 hp, 2014-2018)[12]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 CRDi U2 (D4FB, 90-136 hp, sold in Spain from 2010 to ~2018)[1][18][19]
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi 48V mild hybrid (D4FE MHEV, 136 hp, from ~2019)[3][20]
  • 1.6 dCi Euro 5 (110 and 130 hp, 2011-2015)[4][5]
  • 1.6 Energy dCi Euro 6 with NOx trap (130 and 160/165 hp, 2015-2019)[4][5][6][7][21]
  • 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)[14]
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

1.6 CRDi

See the 17 models with the 1.6 CRDi

1.6 dCi

See the 15 models with the 1.6 dCi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CRDi

With the 1.6 dCi

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. Motor Kia y Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB): ficha tecnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Kia Ceed III: Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. Kia / Hyundai 1.6 CRDi MHEV Engine FailuresDOHC (especialista en reconstrucción de motores) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  4. Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Hyundai U engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. Hyundai Smartstream engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. Hyundai i30 Kombi 1.6 CRDi 48V-Mildhybrid Trend (10/20-01/22): Technische Daten, Bilder, PreiseADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  15. Kia Ceed 1.6 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Kia Ceed im TÜV-Check 2026: Schwachstellen, Mängel und ProblemeAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  18. Kia and Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB) engineEngineDNA · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  19. Best Hyundai Kia 1.6 CRDI Mods & Upgrades Guide to D4FB TuningTorqueCars · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  20. KIA SPORTAGE 2023 - vehicle recallsGOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026
  21. Si no hubo fraude, ¿por qué 15.000 Renault Captur y Espace serán revisados por un nivel de emisiones excesivo?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 19 January 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish