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MotorFiable

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue vs 2.0 CDTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 CDTI carries less risk than the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue: 38/100 (moderate risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Degradation of the wet timing belt (2.0 EcoBlue)»; the 2.0 CDTI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger wear or failure».

Risk index

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

59

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 CDTI

38

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

12 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2]

See the 3 of the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue faults

Is the 2.0 CDTI reliable?

Unlike the 1.3 and 1.6 CDTI of the same era, the Opel/Vauxhall 2.0 CDTI (2008-2019, 110-210 hp with BiTurbo variants) is an engine with a timing belt rather than a chain. It builds up soot in the injectors and EGR valve, clogs its DPF on short journeys, has a recorded faulty turbo and one engine failure, and its models were among those investigated by Germany's KBA and the Frankfurt public prosecutor over a possible switching-off of the emissions treatment.[3][4][5][6][7][8]

See the 6 of the 2.0 CDTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue and 2.0 CDTI
1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue2.0 CDTI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement—1,956 cm³
TimingWet belt (belt-in-oil)Timing belt (dry)
Power85–213 hp110–210 hp
Productionsince 2016[1][9]2008–2019[3][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk38Moderate risk
Documented faults36
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  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
  1. High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
  2. Medium severity: Soot build-up in the injectors and EGR valve
  3. Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution on short journeys
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.5 EcoBlue 85/95/100/120 (dry timing belt, since 2018)[2]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 EcoBlue single-turbo 105/130/150/170/190, with and without mild hybrid (since 2016)[2][11]
  • 2.0 EcoBlue twin-turbo 213 (Ranger and high-demand applications, since ~2019)[2]
  • 2.0 CDTI 110-131 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ, 2008-2015)[4][12]
  • 2.0 CDTI 160-170 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH, 2008-2019)[5][6]
  • 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI 195 hp (A20DTR, 2011-2015)[4]
  • 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 210 hp 4x4 (Insignia B, 2017-2022)[10]
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

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

See the 13 models with the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

2.0 CDTI

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

With the 2.0 CDTI

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. Ford EcoBlue engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Which Cars Have a Wet Belt? Full UK Engine List (2026)CarOkay · Other source · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. Opel Insignia AWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. Opel Astra (H, J, K): Technische Daten, Abmessungen, AnhängelastGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Fiabilité Opel Insignia - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Opel Insignia Grand Sport - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Opel está de nuevo en el punto de mira por las emisiones con 60.000 coches afectadosMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 16 July 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. La Fiscalía alemana registra las instalaciones de Opel en el marco de una investigación sobre emisionesMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 15 October 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  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. Opel InsigniaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. 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
  12. Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German