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

According to our risk index, the 1.6 TDI carries less risk than the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC: 45/100 (moderate risk) versus 54/100 (high risk). The 1.6 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger failure».

Risk index

1.6 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202615 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The EA189 (2009-2015, 75-105 hp) is one of the dieselgate engines: it needs the software update and, unlike the 2.0 TDI, an air flow stabiliser, on top of the typical EGR, particulate filter and turbo faults. The later EA288 (from 2012, 80-120 hp) is not singled out by the scandal, but it shares the need to keep an eye on the timing belt and the water pump.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 TDI 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 TDI and 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC
Item	1.6 TDI	1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	75–120 hp	120–180 hp
Production	since 2009^[3][4][9]	2008–2020^[5][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	45Moderate risk	54High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and air flow stabiliser High severity: Timing belt and water pump High severity: Variable-geometry turbo seized or with play	High severity: Turbocharger failure Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage at high mileage Critical severity: Diesel injector wear or failure
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[12][13]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 TDI EA288 (from 2012)^[1][14]	2.2 i-DTEC 150 (N22B1/B3/B4, from 2008)^[7][8][11]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 TDI common rail EA189 (2009-2015)^[1][2]	1.6 i-DTEC 120 (N16A1, single turbo, from 2013)^[6][15] 1.6 i-DTEC 160 (N16A4, twin turbo, CR-V)^[7] 2.2 i-DTEC 180 Type S (N22B2, from 2010)^[5]
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 TDI

See the 26 models with the 1.6 TDI

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 TDI

With the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Honda N engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2012-2019)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
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Honda HR-VWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Avis et fiabilité Honda Accord (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra la correa de distribuciónMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2017-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French