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1.6 dCi vs Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi carries less risk than the 1.6 dCi: 43/100 versus 48/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign)».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

48

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

43

Moderate 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

18 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 Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi reliable?

These are the diesels of the Isuzu D-Max: the 2.5 twin-turbo (4JK1) and the 1.9 Ddi (RZ4E) of the European range, and the 2.5 and 3.0 of the Latin American Chevrolet D-Max. Auto Express speaks of enviable reliability; what is documented is diesel in the oil of the 2.5 on short journeys, soot in the EGR and a 2017 campaign for the camshaft gear.[5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi
1.6 dCiIsuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,598 cm³—
TimingChainGears
Power95–165 hp117–177 hp
Production2011–2020[2][9][10][11][12]since 2012[8][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk43Moderate risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity22
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. Critical severity: Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign)
  2. High severity: Diesel in the oil and clogged particulate filter on short journeys
  3. Medium severity: EGR valve blocked by soot
Most expensive documented repairup to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure[16]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]
  • 1.9 Ddi 163 hp (RZ4E, European D-Max from 2017)[5][8]
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][17]
  • 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)[12]
  • 2.5 TD twin-turbo 163 hp (4JK1, European D-Max 2012-2017)[6][8]
  • 2.5 and 3.0 TD (4JK1 and 4JJ1, Latin American Chevrolet D-Max 2012-2020)[7][18]
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

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

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. Isuzu D-Max reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 16 October 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Isuzu D-MaxFarmers Weekly · Motoring press · published 17 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Isuzu MU-X & D-Max common problems and solutionsUnsealed 4X4 · Motoring press · published 12 June 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Isuzu D-Max: Camshaft Gear Teeth May Break (R/2017/194)Car-Recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA) · Other source · published 10 July 2017 · consulted 2 November 2026
  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. Isuzu D-MaxWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation (2012-2017): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation, 1. Facelift (2017-2020): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  16. Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. 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
  18. Isuzu D-Max ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026