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1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD vs 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD carries less risk than the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The 1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Intake manifold flap failure (swirl effect)»; the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Degradation of the wet timing belt (2.0 EcoBlue)».

Risk index

1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD

48

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

59

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

14 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD reliable?

The 1.9 JTD/Multijet (8v and 16v) and the five-cylinder 2.4 JTD were the world's first common rail diesels and have a reputation for robust, long-lived mechanicals. Before buying, check the known faults: the intake manifold flaps and the EGR valve fail or clog with urban use, the turbo and dual-mass flywheel wear with mileage, and the particulate filter on versions that have one clogs if there are not enough long journeys.[1][2][3][4]

See the 6 of the 1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD faults

Is the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue reliable?

EcoBlue has been Ford's diesel family since 2016, with two very different engines despite the shared name: the 2.0 (codenamed «Panther») debuted a wet timing belt (belt-in-oil) and a second wet belt for the oil pump, the same type of design that has caused problems on other Ford engines; the 1.5, by contrast, uses a conventional dry belt. The 2.0 powers vans, SUVs and large saloons; the 1.5 the smaller models.[5][6]

See the 3 of the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD and 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue
1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Wet belt (belt-in-oil)
Power78–210 hp85–213 hp
Production1997–2012[1][7][8]since 2016[5][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk59High risk
Documented faults63
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Intake manifold flap failure (swirl effect)
  2. High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
  3. Medium severity: EGR valve blocked by carbon
  1. Critical severity: Degradation of the wet timing belt (2.0 EcoBlue)
  2. Critical severity: Wet oil pump belt (2.0 EcoBlue)
  3. Medium severity: Emissions system warnings (AdBlue/EGR) and injector wear
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,900Dual-mass flywheel wear on manual gearbox versionsPublished figure[10]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.5 EcoBlue 85/95/100/120 (dry timing belt, since 2018)[6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.9 JTD/Multijet 8v (78-130 hp, 1997-2010)[2][11][12]
  • 1.9 JTD/Multijet 16v (140-190 hp, 2002-2010)[3][13]
  • 2.4 JTD/Multijet (136-210 hp, 1997-2010)[8][13]
  • 2.0 EcoBlue single-turbo 105/130/150/170/190, with and without mild hybrid (since 2016)[6][14]
  • 2.0 EcoBlue twin-turbo 213 (Ranger and high-demand applications, since ~2019)[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

1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD

See the 16 models with the 1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

See the 13 models with the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

Other comparisons

With the 1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD

With the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

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 JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Opel Vectra C (2002-2008) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. Opel Zafira B (2005-2014) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. Alfa Romeo GT: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Ford EcoBlue engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Which Cars Have a Wet Belt? Full UK Engine List (2026)CarOkay · Other source · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Saab 9-3Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Fiat CromaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Nuevo motor Ford 2.0 EcoBlue Diésel: más potente y ahorradorAutopista.es · Motoring press · published April 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Opel Zafira 2 : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Alfa Romeo 156 : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Alfa Romeo 147 : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Alfa Romeo 159 : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Todos los coches afectados ya por problemas de motor a causa de correas de distribución en aceiteAutopista.es · Motoring press · published February 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish