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

According to our risk index, the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet carries less risk than the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue: 25/100 (moderate risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet has no documented serious faults; 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

2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet

25

Moderate risk · 0 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 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet reliable?

The five-cylinder 2.4 JTD/JTDm is powerful but more delicate in its 20V version. Auto Świat says the 10V rarely breaks down on its own; on the 20V, owner testimonies for the 200 and 210 hp Alfa 159 pile up mentions of the EGR and particulate filter, and the 200 hp had the manifold flap failure that Fiat corrected in 2007.[1][2]

See the 4 of the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet 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.[3][4]

See the 3 of the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet and 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue
2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement2,387 cm³—
TimingTiming belt (dry)Wet belt (belt-in-oil)
Power136–210 hp85–213 hp
Production1998–2011[1][5][6][7][8]since 2016[3][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)25Moderate risk59High risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity02
Worst severityMedium severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Intake manifold flap failure (swirl flaps)
  2. Medium severity: Clogged or faulty EGR valve on the 2.4 JTD and JTDm
  3. Medium severity: Injector failure and diesel leaks on the 2.4 JTDm
  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 €800Clogged or faulty EGR valve on the 2.4 JTD and JTDmPublished figure[10]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.5 EcoBlue 85/95/100/120 (dry timing belt, since 2018)[4]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.4 JTDm / Multijet 20V (175-185 hp, 2003-2009)[1][11]
  • 2.4 JTDm / Multijet 20V 200 hp (2005-2011)[1][2]
  • 2.4 JTDm 20V 210 hp (Alfa Romeo, 2007-2010)[1][2][12][13]
  • 2.0 EcoBlue single-turbo 105/130/150/170/190, with and without mild hybrid (since 2016)[4][14]
  • 2.0 EcoBlue twin-turbo 213 (Ranger and high-demand applications, since ~2019)[4]
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

2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet

See the 7 models with the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

See the 13 models with the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

Other comparisons

With the 2.4 JTD / JTDm Multijet

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. Silnik 2.4 JTD: mocny i trwały, ale czasem też kapryśnyAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 26 September 2011 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in another language
  2. Fiabilité Alfa-romeo 159 (2005-2012) (428 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  3. Ford EcoBlue engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. Which Cars Have a Wet Belt? Full UK Engine List (2026)CarOkay · Other source · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. Alfa Romeo Brera (guía del taller)The Alfa Workshop · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  7. Alfa Romeo 159Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  8. SCHAEFFLER - ALFA ROMEO 159 (939_) 2.4 JTDM (939AXD)Rolling Kft. (catálogo) · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026
  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. ¿Qué precio tiene cambiar una válvula EGR?RACE (Real Automóvil Club de España) · Other source · published 17 June 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Fiabilité Alfa-romeo 156: pannes par motorisation (2.4 JTD)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  12. Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTD 210 ch 93 000 km (2008, Ti): avis d'un propriétaireFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · published 26 January 2013 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  13. Guía de compra del Alfa Romeo 159 de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 9 February 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  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