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

According to our risk index, the 2.0 dCi carries less risk than the 1.6 CRDi: 52/100 versus 70/100 (both 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 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure».

Risk index

1.6 CRDi

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 dCi

High 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 27 September 202621 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 2.0 dCi reliable?

The 2.0 dCi (M9R) is a Renault-Nissan Alliance diesel with known, well-documented weak points: the turbo and the EGR valve fail relatively often, the particulate filter clogs up in urban use, and there are cases of injectors and even the timing chain failing earlier than expected in several of the models that use it.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 2.0 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CRDi and 2.0 dCi
Item	1.6 CRDi	2.0 dCi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,582 cm³	1,995 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	90–136 hp	90–177 hp
Production	since 2009^{[1][8][9][10]}	2005–2016^{[11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	70High risk	52High risk
Documented faults	6	5
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	High severity: Premature turbocharger failure Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,800Particulate filter (DPF) blocked in urban usePublished figure^[15]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	Smartstream 1.6 CRDi U3 (D4FE, 115-136 hp, without mild hybrid, from 2018)^[2][16]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 CRDi U2 (D4FB, 90-136 hp, sold in Spain from 2010 to ~2018)^[1][17][18] Smartstream 1.6 CRDi 48V mild hybrid (D4FE MHEV, 136 hp, from ~2019)^[3][19]	2.0 dCi 130-150 (M9R, cars, 2005-2012)^[4][5][7] 2.0 dCi 160-177 (M9R, higher-output cars, 2006-2016)^[5][6][20] 2.0 dCi 90-115 (M9R, vans, 2006-2014)^[21]
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 17 models with the 1.6 CRDi

2.0 dCi

See the 12 models with the 2.0 dCi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CRDi

With the 2.0 dCi

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
Fiabilité Renault Laguna 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Koleos : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Espace 4 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault KoleosWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault Mégane IIIWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Grand Espace 2.0 dCi PrivilegeAutopista · Motoring press · published 19 September 2006 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
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
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026