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2.3 MultiJet vs 1.8 TDCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 MultiJet carries less risk than the 1.8 TDCi: 25/100 versus 48/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.3 MultiJet has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Camshaft breakage due to a manufacturing defect (Ducato, 2016-2017)»; the 1.8 TDCi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Breakage of the timing belt or of the high-pressure pump's belt (running in oil)».

Risk index

2.3 MultiJet

25

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.8 TDCi

48

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

21 sourcesHow we work

Is the 2.3 MultiJet reliable?

The 2.3 MultiJet (F1A) in the Fiat Ducato and Iveco Daily has few faults with a solid source: the best documented are three campaigns on the 2016-2019 Euro 6 Ducato (intercooler hose, EGR pipe and camshaft). Owners and garages also cite EGR, throttle body, injectors and AdBlue, almost always on forums or commercial websites, with no statistics.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

See the 6 of the 2.3 MultiJet faults

Is the 1.8 TDCi reliable?

The 1.8 TDCi (codename Lynx) was Ford's standard diesel between 2001 and 2014, with Delphi common-rail injection and a variable-geometry turbo. It is an engine with well-documented faults: the dual-mass flywheel and clutch are by far its weakest point, followed by the injectors, the EGR valve and, to a lesser extent, the turbo hoses and the timing drive itself.[8][9][10][11]

See the 5 of the 1.8 TDCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.3 MultiJet and 1.8 TDCi
2.3 MultiJet1.8 TDCi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement2,287 cm³1,753 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power95–160 hp75–125 hp
Productionsince 2002[12][13][14][15]2001–2014[8][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)25Moderate risk48Moderate risk
Documented faults65
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Camshaft breakage due to a manufacturing defect (Ducato, 2016-2017)
  2. Medium severity: EGR valve and throttle body clogged by carbon deposits and moisture
  3. Medium severity: Leaking or underperforming common-rail injectors
  1. Critical severity: Breakage of the timing belt or of the high-pressure pump's belt (running in oil)
  2. Medium severity: Premature wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutch
  3. Medium severity: Delphi injector failure (leaks, cracks or poor spray pattern)
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • First-batch 2.3 Multijet / HPI (F1AE0481, 2006-2011)[5][15]
  • 2.3 Multijet II Euro 5 (F1AE3481, 2010-2016)[5][18]
  • 2.3 Multijet Euro 6 with dual EGR (Ducato, 2016-2019)[1][2][3][6]
  • 2.3 Multijet 2 Euro 6d with AdBlue (Ducato, 2019-2021)[7]
  • 2.3 F1A in the Iveco Daily VI (2014-present)[3]
  • 1.8 TDCi 75/90/100 (entry-level tunes: Focus I and Transit Connect)[9][10]
  • 1.8 TDCi 110/115/125 (Focus II, C-Max, Mondeo, Galaxy, S-Max and Transit Connect)[9][10][11][19][20][21]
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 2.3 MultiJet

With the 1.8 TDCi

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 Ducato (2016-2017): manguito del intercooler (alerta Safety Gate A12/0285/18)car-recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · published 23 February 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026
  2. Fiat Ducato (2016-2017): tubo de la EGR (alerta Safety Gate A12/1794/17)car-recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · published 16 December 2017 · consulted 8 October 2026
  3. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Camshaft fault sparks Fiat Ducato recallUte and Van Guide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 7 March 2017 · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Ducato multijet 2.3 starting problem (hilo del foro)The FIAT Forum · Owners' forum · published 3 May 2014 · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. Ducato P0401 P0402 P0236 P0238 and limp mode, 2017 Euro 6 (hilo del foro)The FIAT Forum · Owners' forum · published 5 December 2021 · consulted 8 October 2026
  7. Fiat Ducato 2.3 MultiJet: AdBlue, SCR y modo de emergencia (diagnóstico)KFZ Dietrich (taller, Alemania) · Other source · published 10 September 2026 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  8. Ford Duratorq engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Fiabilité et pannes du Ford Mondeo 3 (1.8 TDCi 125ch)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité et pannes du Ford Focus 2 (1.8 TDCi 115ch)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité et pannes du Ford S-MaxFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Fiat DucatoWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Fiat Ducato (tipo 250, motores Multijet y Euro 6)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  14. Iveco Daily (motores HPI/F1A por generación)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  15. Iveco Daily IV 35C12 2.3 HPI: fiabilidadCarverif · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  16. Ford FocusWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Ford Transit ConnectWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Fiat Ducato and variants 2007 onCATMAG · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026
  19. Ford Focus Mk2: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  20. Ford Mondeo Mk4: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  21. Ford S-Max: Probleme und KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German