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1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II vs 1.9 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II carries less risk than the 1.9 dCi: 52/100 versus 67/100 (both 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 1.9 dCi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings».

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

52

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.9 dCi

67

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

15 sourcesHow 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 1.9 dCi reliable?

The 1.9 dCi (F9Q) was Renault's first common-rail diesel (1999) and powered a large part of its range, and those of Nissan and Volvo, for more than a decade. It has well-documented weak points: on versions of up to 120 hp built before 2005, the big-end bearings can seize and the turbo tends to degrade around 150,000 km; the injectors, the EGR valve and, on the 120 hp versions, the dual-mass flywheel also fail fairly often.[5][6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 1.9 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II and 1.9 dCi
1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II1.9 dCi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement—1,870 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power90–170 hp80–130 hp
Productionsince 2006[10][11][12]1999–2011[13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)52High risk67High risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Saturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerations
  2. Critical severity: Early tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failure
  3. Medium severity: EGR valve blocked by soot in urban use
  1. Critical severity: Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings
  2. High severity: Premature turbocharger wear
  3. High severity: Failures of the Delphi direct-injection injectors
Most expensive documented repairup to €550Early tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failurePublished figure[1]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
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]
  • 1.9 dCi 95-120 (F9Q, first generation, 1999-2005)[7]
  • 1.9 dCi 125-130 (F9Q, Energy dCi, 2005-2011)[7]
  • 1.9 dCi 80-101 (F9Q, vans and commercial vehicles, 1999-2007)[5][6]
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

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

With the 1.9 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.

  1. Fiat Tipo: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Jeep Renegade: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Jeep Renegade (seit 2014) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 2 March 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. Fiat Bravo : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Renault Mégane II (2002 – 2009): Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Renault Scénic II (2003 – 2009) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Achat d'occasion : faut-il éviter le moteur 1.9 dCi F9Q chez Renault ?Planète Renault · Motoring press · published 24 January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Diesels : volant moteur défectueuxFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Vanne EGR : problèmes et pannesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Fiat Bravo (2007)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Jeep Renegade (BU)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Renault F-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Moteur F RenaultWikipédia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Renault Espace IVWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German