2.3 MultiJet vs OM656: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 MultiJet carries less risk than the OM656: 25/100 versus 39/100 (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 OM656 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Leak in the vacuum-driven coolant pump (fire risk)».

Risk index

2.3 MultiJet

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

OM656

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 9 October 202620 sources How 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 OM656 reliable?

The OM656 is the roughly 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel with which Mercedes-Benz replaced the OM642 V6 from 2017 in the S-Class, E-Class, CLS, GLE, GLS and G-Class (350 d, 400 d and 450 d). It has few documented faults: the known campaign is the coolant pump one of 2021-2022, and the timing chain recall that circulates belongs to the OM654. Guides warn about the AdBlue/SCR system, the EGR and, in isolated cases, the roller rocker arms, without figures.^{[3][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]}

See the 4 of the OM656 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.3 MultiJet and OM656
Item	2.3 MultiJet	OM656
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,287 cm³	2,925 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	95–160 hp	272–367 hp
Production	since 2002^{[15][16][17][18]}	since 2017^[8][9][19]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	25Moderate risk	39Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	4
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Camshaft breakage due to a manufacturing defect (Ducato, 2016-2017) Medium severity: EGR valve and throttle body clogged by carbon deposits and moisture Medium severity: Leaking or underperforming common-rail injectors	Critical severity: Leak in the vacuum-driven coolant pump (fire risk) Medium severity: NOx sensor failure and AdBlue (SCR) system warnings Medium severity: EGR valve clogged with soot after short journeys
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	OM656 3.0 diesel with electric assistance (D 30, from 2023)^[3][11][13]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	First-batch 2.3 Multijet / HPI (F1AE0481, 2006-2011)^[5][18] 2.3 Multijet II Euro 5 (F1AE3481, 2010-2016)^[5][20] 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]	OM656 2.9 diesel 350 d (OM 656 D 29 R SCR, from 2017)^[3][10][11] OM656 2.9 diesel 400 d (OM 656 D 29 SCR, from 2017)^{[3][10][11][13]}
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

2.3 MultiJet

OM656

See the 11 models with the OM656

Other comparisons

With the 2.3 MultiJet

With the OM656

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

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
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
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
Camshaft fault sparks Fiat Ducato recallUte and Van Guide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 7 March 2017 · consulted 8 October 2026
Ducato multijet 2.3 starting problem (hilo del foro)The FIAT Forum · Owners' forum · published 3 May 2014 · consulted 8 October 2026
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
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
Mercedes-Benz OM656 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
Mercedes-Benz OM 656Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Rückruf für OM 656 und OM 654 Motoren wegen KühlmittelpumpeMBpassion · Motoring press · published 9 December 2021 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Mercedes-Rückruf: Kühlmittelprobleme bei DieselautosAUTOHAUS · Motoring press · published 5 January 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Mercedes-Benz GLC (X253): Alle typischen Probleme & MängelGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Mercedes OM656 Diesel: Häufige Probleme, Ursachen & Tipps zur Vermeidung von MotorschädenMBpassion · Motoring press · published 19 February 2026 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Mercedes-Benz OM656 Engine Guide: Reliability, Common Problems & Tuning PotentialEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 9 October 2026
Fiat DucatoWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat Ducato (tipo 250, motores Multijet y Euro 6)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Iveco Daily (motores HPI/F1A por generación)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Iveco Daily IV 35C12 2.3 HPI: fiabilidadCarverif · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
Fiat Ducato and variants 2007 onCATMAG · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026