1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II vs Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi carries less risk than the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II: 43/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (high risk). The 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Saturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerations»; the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign)».

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

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 2 November 202615 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II reliable?

The 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II are Fiat diesels with a solid mechanical base, but with known faults worth checking before you buy: the timing belt tensioner may need replacing before the official interval, the EGR valve clogs with urban use, the particulate filter becomes saturated if there are not enough long journeys, and the dual-mass flywheel and the occasional injector wear with mileage. There is no officially recognised recall campaign for these faults.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II faults

Is the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi reliable?

These are the diesels of the Isuzu D-Max: the 2.5 twin-turbo (4JK1) and the 1.9 Ddi (RZ4E) of the European range, and the 2.5 and 3.0 of the Latin American Chevrolet D-Max. Auto Express speaks of enviable reliability; what is documented is diesel in the oil of the 2.5 on short journeys, soot in the EGR and a 2017 campaign for the camshaft gear.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II and Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi
Item	1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II	Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Gears
Power	90–170 hp	117–177 hp
Production	since 2006^[9][10][11]	since 2012^{[8][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	52High risk	43Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	3
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Saturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerations Critical severity: Early tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failure Medium severity: EGR valve blocked by soot in urban use	Critical severity: Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign) High severity: Diesel in the oil and clogged particulate filter on short journeys Medium severity: EGR valve blocked by soot
Most expensive documented repair	up to €550Early tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failurePublished figure^[1]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.9 Ddi 163 hp (RZ4E, European D-Max from 2017)^[5][8]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 MultiJet II (90-130 hp, 2006-2024)^[1][2] 2.0 MultiJet II (120-170 hp, 2008-2024)^[3][4]	2.5 TD twin-turbo 163 hp (4JK1, European D-Max 2012-2017)^[6][8] 2.5 and 3.0 TD (4JK1 and 4JJ1, Latin American Chevrolet D-Max 2012-2020)^[7][15]
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 and 2.0 MultiJet II

See the 13 models with the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

With the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

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.

Fiat Tipo: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Renegade: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Renegade (seit 2014) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 2 March 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiat Bravo : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Isuzu D-Max reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 16 October 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Isuzu D-MaxFarmers Weekly · Motoring press · published 17 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
Isuzu MU-X & D-Max common problems and solutionsUnsealed 4X4 · Motoring press · published 12 June 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
Isuzu D-Max: Camshaft Gear Teeth May Break (R/2017/194)Car-Recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA) · Other source · published 10 July 2017 · consulted 2 November 2026
Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiat Bravo (2007)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Renegade (BU)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Isuzu D-MaxWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation (2012-2017): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation, 1. Facelift (2017-2020): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Isuzu D-Max ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026