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MotorFiable

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

According to our risk index, the 1.6 dCi carries less risk than the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 54/100 (high risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger failure».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

48

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

54

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

17 sourcesHow 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 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC reliable?

The i-DTEC is Honda's diesel family from 2008, with two four-cylinder blocks: the 2.2 (Accord, CR-V) and, from 2013, the 1.6 (Civic, CR-V, HR-V). It uses a timing chain instead of a belt and common-rail injection. The basic architecture has a good reputation for longevity, but the emissions system (DPF and EGR) and the turbocharger account for most of the faults documented by owners themselves.[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC
1.6 dCi1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,598 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power95–165 hp120–180 hp
Production2011–2020[2][9][10][11][12]2008–2020[5][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk54High risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or breakage
  2. High severity: Oil leak from the timing chain cover
  3. Medium severity: Blocked or failed EGR valve
  1. High severity: Turbocharger failure
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage at high mileage
  3. Critical severity: Diesel injector wear or failure
Most expensive documented repairup to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure[15]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]
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][16]
  • 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)[12]
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 120 (N16A1, single turbo, from 2013)[6][17]
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 160 (N16A4, twin turbo, CR-V)[7]
  • 2.2 i-DTEC 180 Type S (N22B2, from 2010)[5]
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 dCi

See the 15 models with the 1.6 dCi

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

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. Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Honda N engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2012-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2007-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  11. Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Honda HR-VWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Avis et fiabilité Honda Accord (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. 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
  17. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2017-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French