1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II vs VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD carries less risk than the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II: 32/100 (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 VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Loss of the crankshaft signal that stalls the engine (Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD)».

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

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

Reviewed on 8 October 202621 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 VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD reliable?

The VM Motori 2.8 CRD (four-cylinder) and 3.0 CRD V6 diesels from Jeep, Chrysler and Lancia show no systemic fault in open sources: they describe injector wear, a dirty EGR and a high-mileage turbo, and AUTO BILD says durability complaints about the 3.0 are very rare. The UK DVSA identifies only one engine campaign for the 3.0 (2025).^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II and VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Item	1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II	VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	—
Power	90–170 hp	150–250 hp
Production	since 2006^[9][10][11]	2003–2020^{[12][13][14][15][16][17]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	52High risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High 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	High severity: Loss of the crankshaft signal that stalls the engine (Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD) Medium severity: Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pump Medium severity: Turbocharger failure and intake hoses
Most expensive documented repair	up to €550Early tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failurePublished figure^[1]	up to €1,400Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpPublished figure^[18][19]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
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]	2.8 CRD R 428 (ENR, 110 kW / 150 hp, 2003-2008)^[5][18] 2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)^[5][20] 2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)^[5][20] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5 (190 and 239-241 hp, 2011-2013)^[6][8] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5+ (190 and 250 hp, 2013-2020)^[6][7] 3.0 V6 Diesel A 630 HP Maserati (250 and 275 hp, 2013–2020)^[6][21]
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 11 models with the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

See the 13 models with the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

With the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

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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
Jeep Wrangler 2.8 Diesel ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · published 11 December 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026
Jeep Grand Cherokee IV: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 11 April 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 con kilometraje: se puede comprar, pero con maticesZa Rulyom (zr.ru) · Motoring press · published 28 April 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in another language
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
VM MotoriWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
VM MotoriWikipedia (it) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Italian
Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sport (2007-2008): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.8 CRD Mountain Aut. (2012): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
First drive: oil burner adds to Cherokee rangeGoAuto · Motoring press · published 11 March 2003 · consulted 8 October 2026
Problemas Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Problemas Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Zahnriemenwechsel Jeep Wranglerrepareo.de · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Problemas Maserati Ghibli DiéselTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in Spanish