1.6 dCi vs 2.2 TD4 / SD4: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 carries less risk than the 1.6 dCi: 32/100 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 2.2 TD4 / SD4 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Coolant leak from the EGR valve cooler».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.2 TD4 / SD4

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

Reviewed on 5 October 202617 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 TD4 / SD4 reliable?

This is the 2.2-litre diesel of the Freelander 2, the first Evoque, the 2014-2015 Discovery Sport and the Jaguar XF 2.2D. The sources consulted do not describe it as a problematic engine, but they point to three things: the EGR cooler, the DPF in urban use, and replacing the belt along with the water pump.^[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and 2.2 TD4 / SD4
Item	1.6 dCi	2.2 TD4 / SD4
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	2,179 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	95–165 hp	150–200 hp
Production	2011–2020^{[2][8][9][10][11]}	2006–2015^{[12][13][14][15]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	48Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	3
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	High severity	Critical 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: Coolant leak from the EGR valve cooler Critical severity: Timing belt failure and water pump failure Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged by urban use
Most expensive documented repair	up 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)^[9]	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][17]} 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)^[11]	2.2 TD4 / eD4 150-160 hp^[5][7][15] 2.2 SD4 190-200 hp^[6]
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 TD4 / SD4

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the 2.2 TD4 / SD4

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

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.

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
Land Rover Freelander Mk2 common problems 2006-2015Haynes · Technical documentation · published December 2022 · consulted 5 October 2026
Test / Avis Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.2 SD4 190 ch (2011-2018)Fiches-auto · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Land Rover Freelander 2Totalrenting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
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
Land Rover FreelanderWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Land Rover Discovery SportWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Jaguar XF (X250)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
How to fit a timing belt on a Land Rover Freelander 2Professional Motor Mechanic (PMM) · Motoring press · published 22 January 2018 · consulted 5 October 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