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1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD 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 1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD: 32/100 versus 48/100 (both moderate 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 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

1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD

48

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

32

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

23 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 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 1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD and VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTDVM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)—
Power78–210 hp150–250 hp
Production1997–2012[1][9][10]2003–2020[11][12][13][14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults64
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityHigh severityHigh 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. High severity: Loss of the crankshaft signal that stalls the engine (Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD)
  2. Medium severity: Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pump
  3. Medium severity: Turbocharger failure and intake hoses
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,900Dual-mass flywheel wear on manual gearbox versionsPublished figure[17]up to €1,400Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpPublished figure[18][19]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.9 JTD/Multijet 8v (78-130 hp, 1997-2010)[2][20][21]
  • 1.9 JTD/Multijet 16v (140-190 hp, 2002-2010)[3][22]
  • 2.4 JTD/Multijet (136-210 hp, 1997-2010)[10][22]
  • 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][23]
  • 2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)[5][23]
  • 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]
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

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

See the 10 models with the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

Other comparisons

With the 1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD

With the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

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. Jeep Wrangler 2.8 Diesel ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · published 11 December 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. Jeep Grand Cherokee IV: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 11 April 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  7. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. 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
  9. Saab 9-3Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Fiat CromaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. VM MotoriWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  12. VM MotoriWikipedia (it) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Italian
  13. Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sport (2007-2008): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.8 CRD Mountain Aut. (2012): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  16. First drive: oil burner adds to Cherokee rangeGoAuto · Motoring press · published 11 March 2003 · consulted 8 October 2026
  17. Opel Zafira 2 : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  18. Problemas Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Problemas Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  20. Alfa Romeo 156 : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  21. Alfa Romeo 147 : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  22. Alfa Romeo 159 : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  23. Zahnriemenwechsel Jeep Wranglerrepareo.de · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German