Skip to content
MotorFiable

1.8 TDCi vs 2.2 HDi: which engine is more reliable?

The 1.8 TDCi and the 2.2 HDi tie on our risk index: 48/100 (moderate risk). 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)»; the 2.2 HDi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «DPF clogging with additive, especially on the 128-138 hp version».

Risk index

1.8 TDCi

48

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

2.2 HDi

48

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

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

18 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.8 TDCi faults

Is the 2.2 HDi reliable?

This is a diesel derived from the 2.0 HDi that PSA and Ford shared in large saloons and MPVs (407, 607, 807, C5, C6, C8) and that Land Rover and Ford used under their own names (TDCi, TD4, SD4) in the Mondeo IV, the Freelander 2 and the first Evoque. According to fiches-auto it does not suffer chronically from the turbo or dual-mass flywheel problems of smaller HDi engines, but the 128-138 hp version does have a recurring problem of DPF clogging.[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 2.2 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.8 TDCi and 2.2 HDi
1.8 TDCi2.2 HDi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,753 cm³2,179 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power75–125 hp128–204 hp
Production2001–2014[1][9][10]2000–2015[5][7][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk48Moderate risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity13
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  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)
  1. High severity: DPF clogging with additive, especially on the 128-138 hp version
  2. High severity: Turbo faults, somewhat more frequent on the sequential twin-turbo versions
  3. High severity: Piezo injector wear and failure
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 2.2 HDi 150-156 (single variable-geometry turbo, 2006-2012)[14][15]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.8 TDCi 75/90/100 (entry-level tunes: Focus I and Transit Connect)[2][3]
  • 1.8 TDCi 110/115/125 (Focus II, C-Max, Mondeo, Galaxy, S-Max and Transit Connect)[2][3][4][16][17][18]
  • 2.2 HDi 128-138 (DW12 TED4, single turbo, 2000-2006)[8]
  • 2.2 HDi 170-175 twin-turbo (DW12 BTED4, 2005-2010)[8][12]
  • 2.2 HDi 190-204 twin-turbo (DW12 C, 2010-2015)[12]
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 1.8 TDCi

With the 2.2 HDi

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. Ford Duratorq engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Fiabilité et pannes du Ford Mondeo 3 (1.8 TDCi 125ch)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité et pannes du Ford Focus 2 (1.8 TDCi 115ch)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité et pannes du Ford S-MaxFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Ford MondeoWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Land Rover FreelanderWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 2,2 HDI 136 chevauxFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Ford FocusWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Ford Transit ConnectWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Range Rover EvoqueWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 2,2 HDI 204 chevauxFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Essai Citroën C5 Exclusive + 2.2 HDI 200 TourerActu Automobile · Motoring press · published 2011 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Essai Peugeot 4007 2.2 HDi DCS 6Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 7 April 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Citroën C-CrosserWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Ford Focus Mk2: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  17. Ford Mondeo Mk4: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  18. Ford S-Max: Probleme und KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German