2.0 and 2.2 VCDi vs 2.0 CDTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 CDTI carries less risk than the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi: 38/100 versus 43/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Sump cover fire risk from DPF fault (2011–2015 Captiva diesel)»; the 2.0 CDTI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger wear or failure».

Risk index

2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

2.0 CDTI

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

Reviewed on 31 October 202618 sources How we work

Is the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi reliable?

Chevrolet's 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi diesels (Lacetti, Captiva, Cruze and Orlando) stand out for owner complaints about the particulate filter, with injectors that, according to a German guide, fail early, and for a 2015 recall over fire risk from the sump cover on 2011–2015 Captiva diesels. There is no reliable data on costs or mileage.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi 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.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

See the 6 of the 2.0 CDTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi and 2.0 CDTI
Item	2.0 and 2.2 VCDi	2.0 CDTI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,956 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	121–184 hp	110–210 hp
Production	2006–2015^{[11][12][13][14][15]}	2008–2019^[5][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	43Moderate risk	38Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	6
Of high or critical severity	1	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Sump cover fire risk from DPF fault (2011–2015 Captiva diesel) Medium severity: Blocked DPF and failed regenerations Medium severity: Injectors failing early from soot build-up	High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure Medium severity: Soot build-up in the injectors and EGR valve Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution on short journeys
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 VCDi 121–150 hp (VM Motori licence; Z20S in the Captiva, 2006–2011)^[1][3][17] 2.0 VCDi 130–163 hp (Z20D1, 2011–2014)^[1][2] 2.2 VCDi 163–184 hp (Z22D1 / A22DM, Captiva, 2011–2015)^[3][4]	2.0 CDTI 110-131 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ, 2008-2015)^[6][18] 2.0 CDTI 160-170 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH, 2008-2019)^[7][8] 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI 195 hp (A20DTR, 2011-2015)^[6] 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 210 hp 4x4 (Insignia B, 2017-2022)^[16]
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

2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

2.0 CDTI

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

With the 2.0 CDTI

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Sources

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

Fiabilité Chevrolet Cruze (2009-2015): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Chevrolet Orlando (2010-2015): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
Chevrolet Captiva (2006-2015): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
Chevrolet Captiva (2011-2015): alerta A12/1063/15 (filtro de partículas y cubrecárter)Car-Recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
Opel Insignia AWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Astra (H, J, K): Technische Daten, Abmessungen, AnhängelastGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Opel Insignia - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Insignia Grand Sport - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
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
Chevrolet CaptivaWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 D LT 4WD (7-Sitzer) (09/06 - 01/10)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Captiva 2.2 D LT 2WD (05/11 - 04/13)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Orlando 2.0TD S/S LTZ (10/12 - 08/14)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
Opel InsigniaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Chevrolet Cruze (J300, 2008-2016): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German