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2.0 TDI vs 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 carries less risk than the 2.0 TDI: 46/100 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 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «3.0 dCi V6 overheating and expansion tank failures».

Risk index

2.0 TDI

48

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

46

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

21 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 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 reliable?

Renault's big 2000s diesels, the 2.2 dCi (G9T) and the 3.0 V6 dCi (P9X), have a poor reputation among owners: big-end bearing failures are cited on the 2.2 and overheating on the V6. The sources are mainly forums and the press that reports them, with no official statistics.[7][8][9]

See the 3 of the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 TDI and 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6
2.0 TDI2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,968 cm³2,188 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power84–240 hp115–180 hp
Productionsince 2003[1][10][11][12][13]2001–2009[14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk46Moderate risk
Documented faults83
Of high or critical severity32
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: 3.0 dCi V6 overheating and expansion tank failures
  2. Critical severity: Big-end bearing failure in the 2.2 dCi (G9T)
  3. Medium severity: Blocked EGR valve and turbo and injector faults on the 2.2 dCi (G9T)
Most expensive documented repairup to €3,000Clogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorPublished figure[3][16][17]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][18]
  • 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)[3][19][20]
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 48 models with the 2.0 TDI

2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 TDI

With the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

Compare other engines

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.

  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. Renault Espace et Vel Satis : le 3.0 V6 dCi surchauffeL'argus · Motoring press · published 22 June 2010 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  8. Laguna II : remplacement préventif coussinet de bielle 2.2 dCiPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  9. Avantime : casse moteur 2.2 dCiPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  10. VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. VW EA188Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  12. List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  13. 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
  14. Renault G-Type engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  15. Renault Vel SatisWikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  16. Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 17 January 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. VW/Audi 2.0 TDI PD EA188 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability, Oil, InfoMotorReviewer · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  19. Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  20. Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
  21. Vel Satis I : ma Vel Satis 3.0 dCi Initiale a des problèmesPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French