2.0 TDI vs 2.0 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 TDI carries less risk than the 2.0 dCi: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (high 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 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure».

Risk index

2.0 TDI

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 dCi

High risk · 2 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 202625 sources How 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 dCi reliable?

The 2.0 dCi (M9R) is a Renault-Nissan Alliance diesel with known, well-documented weak points: the turbo and the EGR valve fail relatively often, the particulate filter clogs up in urban use, and there are cases of injectors and even the timing chain failing earlier than expected in several of the models that use it.^{[7][8][9][10]}

See the 5 of the 2.0 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 TDI and 2.0 dCi
Item	2.0 TDI	2.0 dCi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,968 cm³	1,995 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	84–240 hp	90–177 hp
Production	since 2003^{[1][11][12][13][14]}	2005–2016^{[15][16][17][18]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	48Moderate risk	52High risk
Documented faults	8	5
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update High severity: High-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189	High severity: Premature turbocharger failure Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorPublished figure^[3][19][20]	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][21] 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)^[3][22][23]	2.0 dCi 130-150 (M9R, cars, 2005-2012)^[7][8][10] 2.0 dCi 160-177 (M9R, higher-output cars, 2006-2016)^[8][9][24] 2.0 dCi 90-115 (M9R, vans, 2006-2014)^[25]
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

2.0 TDI

See the 51 models with the 2.0 TDI

2.0 dCi

See the 12 models with the 2.0 dCi

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 TDI

With the 2.0 dCi

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.

VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
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
Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Audi A6 III (2004-2011) : la fiche express fiabilité de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 4 July 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
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
Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Volkswagen Golf VIII : du genre agaçanteCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 5 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Laguna 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Koleos : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Espace 4 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
VW EA188Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
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
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault KoleosWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault Mégane IIIWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Grand Espace 2.0 dCi PrivilegeAutopista · Motoring press · published 19 September 2006 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 17 January 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
VW/Audi 2.0 TDI PD EA188 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability, Oil, InfoMotorReviewer · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026