1.6 dCi vs 2.2 i-CTDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 dCi carries less risk than the 2.2 i-CTDi: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (high risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; the 2.2 i-CTDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger failure».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.2 i-CTDi

High risk · 2 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 27 September 202616 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 dCi reliable?

The 1.6 dCi (R9M) is a diesel with a generally reasonable track record, but with well-documented known faults: the turbo fails relatively often, even at low mileage, the EGR valve clogs, the particulate filter can block up on short journeys, and there are cases of oil leaks from the timing chain cover that go as far as requiring the engine to be removed.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 dCi faults

Is the 2.2 i-CTDi reliable?

The 2.2 i-CTDi is the diesel Honda fitted to the Civic, Accord, CR-V and FR-V in Europe between 2003 and 2011, before the i-DTEC. It uses a timing chain and common-rail injection, an architecture that generally ages well. The best-documented faults are wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutch, and cracks in the exhaust manifold; there are also cases involving the turbo, EGR and injectors.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 2.2 i-CTDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and 2.2 i-CTDi
Item	1.6 dCi	2.2 i-CTDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	2,204 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	95–165 hp	140 hp
Production	2011–2020^{[2][9][10][11][12]}	2003–2011^[5][7][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	48Moderate risk	52High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or breakage High severity: Oil leak from the timing chain cover Medium severity: Blocked or failed EGR valve	High severity: Turbocharger failure Medium severity: Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear High severity: Diesel injector failure or wear
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure^[14]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 dCi in Mercedes-Benz (OM 622/OM 626, 115 and 136 hp, 2014-2018)^[10]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 dCi Euro 5 (110 and 130 hp, 2011-2015)^[1][2] 1.6 Energy dCi Euro 6 with NOx trap (130 and 160/165 hp, 2015-2019)^{[1][2][3][4][15]} 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)^[12]	2.2 i-CTDi 140 (N22A1/N22A2, 2003-2011)^{[6][7][8][16]}
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 dCi

See the 15 models with the 1.6 dCi

2.2 i-CTDi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the 2.2 i-CTDi

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.

Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Honda N engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Avis et fiabilité Honda Accord (2003-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2007-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Honda Civic (eighth generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Si no hubo fraude, ¿por qué 15.000 Renault Captur y Espace serán revisados por un nivel de emisiones excesivo?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 19 January 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Honda Civic 8 – Alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German