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1.6 CRDi vs 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi carries less risk than the 1.6 CRDi: 43/100 (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 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Sump cover fire risk from DPF fault (2011–2015 Captiva diesel)».

Risk index

1.6 CRDi

70

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

43

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi reliable?

Chevrolet's 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi diesels (Lacetti, Captiva, Cruze and Orlando) stand out for owner complaints about the particulate filter, with injectors that, according to a German guide, fail early, and for a 2015 recall over fire risk from the sump cover on 2011–2015 Captiva diesels. There is no reliable data on costs or mileage.[4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CRDi and 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi
1.6 CRDi2.0 and 2.2 VCDi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,582 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power90–136 hp121–184 hp
Productionsince 2009[1][8][9][10]2006–2015[11][12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)70High risk43Moderate risk
Documented faults63
Of high or critical severity41
Worst severityCritical severityCritical 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. Critical severity: Sump cover fire risk from DPF fault (2011–2015 Captiva diesel)
  2. Medium severity: Blocked DPF and failed regenerations
  3. Medium severity: Injectors failing early from soot build-up
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,800Particulate filter (DPF) blocked in urban usePublished figure[16]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi U3 (D4FE, 115-136 hp, without mild hybrid, from 2018)[2][17]
None
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]
  • 2.0 VCDi 121–150 hp (VM Motori licence; Z20S in the Captiva, 2006–2011)[4][6][21]
  • 2.0 VCDi 130–163 hp (Z20D1, 2011–2014)[4][5]
  • 2.2 VCDi 163–184 hp (Z22D1 / A22DM, Captiva, 2011–2015)[6][7]
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

2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CRDi

With the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

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 Chevrolet Cruze (2009-2015): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité Chevrolet Orlando (2010-2015): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  6. Chevrolet Captiva (2006-2015): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  7. Chevrolet Captiva (2011-2015): alerta A12/1063/15 (filtro de partículas y cubrecárter)Car-Recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  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. Chevrolet CaptivaWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  12. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  13. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 D LT 4WD (7-Sitzer) (09/06 - 01/10)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  14. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Captiva 2.2 D LT 2WD (05/11 - 04/13)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  15. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Orlando 2.0TD S/S LTZ (10/12 - 08/14)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  16. Kia Ceed 1.6 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 26 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. Chevrolet Cruze (J300, 2008-2016): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German