Skip to content
MotorFiable

1.6 CRDi vs 2.0 CDTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 CDTI carries less risk than the 1.6 CRDi: 38/100 (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 CDTI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger wear or failure».

Risk index

1.6 CRDi

70

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 CDTI

38

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

19 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 CDTI reliable?

Unlike the 1.3 and 1.6 CDTI of the same era, the Opel/Vauxhall 2.0 CDTI (2008-2019, 110-210 hp with BiTurbo variants) is an engine with a timing belt rather than a chain. It builds up soot in the injectors and EGR valve, clogs its DPF on short journeys, has a recorded faulty turbo and one engine failure, and its models were among those investigated by Germany's KBA and the Frankfurt public prosecutor over a possible switching-off of the emissions treatment.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

See the 6 of the 2.0 CDTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CRDi and 2.0 CDTI
1.6 CRDi2.0 CDTI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,582 cm³1,956 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power90–136 hp110–210 hp
Productionsince 2009[1][10][11][12]2008–2019[4][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)70High risk38Moderate risk
Documented faults66
Of high or critical severity42
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. High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
  2. Medium severity: Soot build-up in the injectors and EGR valve
  3. Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution on short journeys
Most expensive documented repairup 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]
None
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]
  • 2.0 CDTI 110-131 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ, 2008-2015)[5][19]
  • 2.0 CDTI 160-170 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH, 2008-2019)[6][7]
  • 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI 195 hp (A20DTR, 2011-2015)[5]
  • 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 210 hp 4x4 (Insignia B, 2017-2022)[13]
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 CDTI

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CRDi

With the 2.0 CDTI

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. Opel Insignia AWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Opel Astra (H, J, K): Technische Daten, Abmessungen, AnhängelastGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Fiabilité Opel Insignia - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Opel Insignia Grand Sport - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Opel está de nuevo en el punto de mira por las emisiones con 60.000 coches afectadosMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 16 July 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. La Fiscalía alemana registra las instalaciones de Opel en el marco de una investigación sobre emisionesMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 15 October 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Hyundai U engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  11. Hyundai Smartstream engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  12. 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
  13. Opel InsigniaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Kia Ceed 1.6 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Kia Ceed im TÜV-Check 2026: Schwachstellen, Mängel und ProblemeAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  16. Kia and Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB) engineEngineDNA · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  17. Best Hyundai Kia 1.6 CRDI Mods & Upgrades Guide to D4FB TuningTorqueCars · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  18. KIA SPORTAGE 2023 - vehicle recallsGOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026
  19. Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German