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2.0 TDI vs 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi carries less risk than the 2.0 TDI: 43/100 versus 48/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.0 TDI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI»; the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Sump cover fire risk from DPF fault (2011–2015 Captiva diesel)».

Risk index

2.0 TDI

48

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

43

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

25 sourcesHow we work

Is the 2.0 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The EA189 (2008-2015) is the dieselgate engine: it needed a software update and has a record of EGR, particulate filter, turbo and injection faults. The earlier pumpe-düse (unit injector) engine has oil pump failures, and on the EA288 and EA288 evo (from 2012) the known faults are minor: coolant leaks and the odd AdBlue tank.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

See the 8 of the 2.0 TDI faults

Is the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi reliable?

Chevrolet's 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi diesels (Lacetti, Captiva, Cruze and Orlando) stand out for owner complaints about the particulate filter, with injectors that, according to a German guide, fail early, and for a 2015 recall over fire risk from the sump cover on 2011–2015 Captiva diesels. There is no reliable data on costs or mileage.[7][8][9][10]

See the 3 of the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 TDI and 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi
2.0 TDI2.0 and 2.2 VCDi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,968 cm³—
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power84–240 hp121–184 hp
Productionsince 2003[1][11][12][13][14]2006–2015[15][16][17][18][19]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk43Moderate risk
Documented faults83
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI
  2. Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update
  3. High severity: High-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189
  1. Critical severity: Sump cover fire risk from DPF fault (2011–2015 Captiva diesel)
  2. Medium severity: Blocked DPF and failed regenerations
  3. Medium severity: Injectors failing early from soot build-up
Most expensive documented repairup to €3,000Clogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorPublished figure[3][20][21]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 2.0 TDI EA288 (from 2012)[5]
  • 2.0 TDI EA288 evo (from 2019)[6]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 TDI pumpe-düse unit injector (EA188, 2003-2010)[4][22]
  • 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)[3][23][24]
  • 2.0 VCDi 121–150 hp (VM Motori licence; Z20S in the Captiva, 2006–2011)[7][9][25]
  • 2.0 VCDi 130–163 hp (Z20D1, 2011–2014)[7][8]
  • 2.2 VCDi 163–184 hp (Z22D1 / A22DM, Captiva, 2011–2015)[9][10]
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

2.0 TDI

See the 51 models with the 2.0 TDI

2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 TDI

With the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

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. VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. Un Volkswagen Tiguan en occasion : les meilleures versions par budget, et la fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. Audi A6 III (2004-2011) : la fiche express fiabilité de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 4 July 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité de l'Audi A3 (3e génération) : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 December 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  6. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Volkswagen Golf VIII : du genre agaçanteCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 5 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Chevrolet Cruze (2009-2015): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité Chevrolet Orlando (2010-2015): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  9. Chevrolet Captiva (2006-2015): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  10. Chevrolet Captiva (2011-2015): alerta A12/1063/15 (filtro de partículas y cubrecárter)Car-Recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  11. VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  12. VW EA188Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  13. List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. Three world premieres: Volkswagen presents progressive hybrid, natural gas and diesel systems at the Vienna Motor SymposiumVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 27 April 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
  15. Chevrolet CaptivaWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  16. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  17. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 D LT 4WD (7-Sitzer) (09/06 - 01/10)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  18. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Captiva 2.2 D LT 2WD (05/11 - 04/13)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  19. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Orlando 2.0TD S/S LTZ (10/12 - 08/14)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  20. Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  21. Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 17 January 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  22. VW/Audi 2.0 TDI PD EA188 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability, Oil, InfoMotorReviewer · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  23. Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  24. Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
  25. Chevrolet Cruze (J300, 2008-2016): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German