1.6 TDI vs 2.0 CRDi (D4EA): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 CRDi (D4EA) carries less risk than the 1.6 TDI: 32/100 versus 45/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.6 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; the 2.0 CRDi (D4EA) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Wear and loss of performance of the variable-geometry turbo».

Risk index

1.6 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 CRDi (D4EA)

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 27 September 202614 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 2.0 CRDi (D4EA) reliable?

The D4EA is the 2.0 CRDi diesel with which Hyundai and Kia made the jump to common rail in the Tucson I, the Santa Fe, the Trajet, the Elantra, the Sportage II, the Carens II and the Cerato. There is no serious documented design fault: the points to watch are the turbo, the injectors and the EGR, typical of any diesel of its generation used mainly in town, and a timing belt (dry, not a chain) that is best not stretched beyond 120,000 km.^[5][6]

See the 4 of the 2.0 CRDi (D4EA) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 TDI and 2.0 CRDi (D4EA)
Item	1.6 TDI	2.0 CRDi (D4EA)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,991 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	75–120 hp	112–150 hp
Production	since 2009^[3][4][7]	2001–2010^{[5][8][9][10][11]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	45Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	High severity	High 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: Wear and loss of performance of the variable-geometry turbo Medium severity: Carbon build-up in the common-rail injectors with town driving Medium severity: EGR valve clogged with carbon with town driving
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]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 TDI common rail EA189 (2009-2015)^[1][2]	2.0 CRDi (D4EA, 112-150 hp, 2001-2010)^[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 TDI

See the 26 models with the 1.6 TDI

2.0 CRDi (D4EA)

See the 8 models with the 2.0 CRDi (D4EA)

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 TDI

With the 2.0 CRDi (D4EA)

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.

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
Hyundai D engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Hyundai Tucson I: Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 8 May 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Hyundai TucsonWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Kia SportageWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Which Cars Have a Wet Belt? Full UK Engine List (2026)CarOkay · Other source · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi VGT LX 4x2 (2006-2007) | Datoskm77 · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
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