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MotorFiable

1.6 CRDi vs 1.5 D (TUD5): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 D (TUD5) carries less risk than the 1.6 CRDi: 19/100 (low 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 1.5 D (TUD5) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.6 CRDi

70

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

1.5 D (TUD5)

19

Low risk · 0 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 1.5 D (TUD5) reliable?

A small indirect-injection diesel, slow but simple, with a good reputation for durability once its early problems are behind it. Its documented weak point is the cylinder head gasket, with oil leaks that PSA corrected in stages between 1995 and 1998; other issues (high idle, pump leaks, glow plug connector) are occasional.[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the 1.5 D (TUD5) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CRDi and 1.5 D (TUD5)
1.6 CRDi1.5 D (TUD5)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,582 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power90–136 hp50–58 hp
Productionsince 2009[1][7][8][9]1988–2004[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)70High risk19Low risk
Documented faults63
Of high or critical severity40
Worst severityCritical severityMedium 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. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the cylinder head gasket and crankshaft seal
  2. Medium severity: Injection pump: high idle and leaks
  3. Low severity: Glow plug faults: corroded connector and glow plugs
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,800Particulate filter (DPF) blocked in urban usePublished figure[13]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi U3 (D4FE, 115-136 hp, without mild hybrid, from 2018)[2][14]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 CRDi U2 (D4FB, 90-136 hp, sold in Spain from 2010 to ~2018)[1][15][16]
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi 48V mild hybrid (D4FE MHEV, 136 hp, from ~2019)[3][17]
  • 1.4 D 50 hp (TUD3Y, 1993-1994 on the 106)[4][6]
  • 1.5 D 54-58 hp (TUD5: VJZ, VJY and VJX, 1994-2003)[4][18][19]
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 18 models with the 1.6 CRDi

1.5 D (TUD5)

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CRDi

With the 1.5 D (TUD5)

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. 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. Peugeot 106: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  5. Citroën Saxo: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  6. Quelle citadine d'occasion choisir ?L'argus · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  7. Hyundai U engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  8. Hyundai Smartstream engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. 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
  10. PSA TUD engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Peugeot 106Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Peugeot 106 1.5 D 58 ch: fiabilité du moteurFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  13. Kia Ceed 1.6 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Kia Ceed im TÜV-Check 2026: Schwachstellen, Mängel und ProblemeAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  15. Kia and Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB) engineEngineDNA · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  16. Best Hyundai Kia 1.6 CRDI Mods & Upgrades Guide to D4FB TuningTorqueCars · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  17. KIA SPORTAGE 2023 - vehicle recallsGOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026
  18. Fiabilité Peugeot 106: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  19. Fiabilité Citroën Saxo: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French