1.6 CRDi vs Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi 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 Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign)».

Risk index

1.6 CRDi

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

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 2 November 202619 sources How 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 Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi reliable?

These are the diesels of the Isuzu D-Max: the 2.5 twin-turbo (4JK1) and the 1.9 Ddi (RZ4E) of the European range, and the 2.5 and 3.0 of the Latin American Chevrolet D-Max. Auto Express speaks of enviable reliability; what is documented is diesel in the oil of the 2.5 on short journeys, soot in the EGR and a 2017 campaign for the camshaft gear.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CRDi and Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi
Item	1.6 CRDi	Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,582 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Gears
Power	90–136 hp	117–177 hp
Production	since 2009^{[1][8][9][10]}	since 2012^{[7][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	70High risk	43Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	3
Of high or critical severity	4	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: MHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid) Critical severity: Timing chain stretch High severity: Premature variable-geometry turbo (VGT) failure	Critical severity: Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign) High severity: Diesel in the oil and clogged particulate filter on short journeys Medium severity: EGR valve blocked by soot
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,800Particulate filter (DPF) blocked in urban usePublished figure^[14]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	Smartstream 1.6 CRDi U3 (D4FE, 115-136 hp, without mild hybrid, from 2018)^[2][15]	1.9 Ddi 163 hp (RZ4E, European D-Max from 2017)^[4][7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 CRDi U2 (D4FB, 90-136 hp, sold in Spain from 2010 to ~2018)^[1][16][17] Smartstream 1.6 CRDi 48V mild hybrid (D4FE MHEV, 136 hp, from ~2019)^[3][18]	2.5 TD twin-turbo 163 hp (4JK1, European D-Max 2012-2017)^[5][7] 2.5 and 3.0 TD (4JK1 and 4JJ1, Latin American Chevrolet D-Max 2012-2020)^[6][19]
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

1.6 CRDi

See the 18 models with the 1.6 CRDi

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CRDi

With the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

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.

Motor Kia y Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB): ficha tecnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Kia Ceed III: Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Kia / Hyundai 1.6 CRDi MHEV Engine FailuresDOHC (especialista en reconstrucción de motores) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
Isuzu D-Max reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 16 October 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Isuzu D-MaxFarmers Weekly · Motoring press · published 17 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
Isuzu MU-X & D-Max common problems and solutionsUnsealed 4X4 · Motoring press · published 12 June 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
Isuzu D-Max: Camshaft Gear Teeth May Break (R/2017/194)Car-Recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA) · Other source · published 10 July 2017 · consulted 2 November 2026
Hyundai U engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Hyundai Smartstream engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
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
Isuzu D-MaxWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation (2012-2017): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation, 1. Facelift (2017-2020): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Kia Ceed 1.6 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Kia Ceed im TÜV-Check 2026: Schwachstellen, Mängel und ProblemeAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Kia and Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB) engineEngineDNA · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Best Hyundai Kia 1.6 CRDI Mods & Upgrades Guide to D4FB TuningTorqueCars · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
KIA SPORTAGE 2023 - vehicle recallsGOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026
Isuzu D-Max ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026