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MotorFiable

1.6 CRDi vs D5 5 cilindros: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the D5 5 cilindros carries less risk than the 1.6 CRDi: 39/100 (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 D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

1.6 CRDi

70

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

39

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

18 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 D5 5 cilindros reliable?

Volvo's five-cylinder D5 (2.4 D3/D4/D5 and 2.0 D3/D4) has no documented systemic fault, but it does carry one serious risk: several owners report that a snapped auxiliary belt took the timing belt with it. The rest is EGR, DPF and the odd turbo.[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CRDi and D5 5 cilindros
1.6 CRDiD5 5 cilindros
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,582 cm³2,400 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power90–136 hp126–215 hp
Productionsince 2009[1][7][8][9]2001–2015[10][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)70High risk39Moderate risk
Documented faults64
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: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it
  2. Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon
  3. Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,800Particulate filter (DPF) blocked in urban usePublished figure[14]up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure[6]
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]
  • 2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)[4][5]
  • 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)[4][5]
  • 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)[5][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

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CRDi

With the D5 5 cilindros

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. Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilidad Volvo XC60 (2008-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  6. Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  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. Volvo D5 de 185 CV para S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista · Motoring press · published 27 July 2005 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  12. Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  13. Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 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