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

According to our risk index, the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi carries less risk than the 2.0 dCi: 43/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (high 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 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure».

Risk index

2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 dCi

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

Reviewed on 31 October 202620 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 dCi reliable?

The 2.0 dCi (M9R) is a Renault-Nissan Alliance diesel with known, well-documented weak points: the turbo and the EGR valve fail relatively often, the particulate filter clogs up in urban use, and there are cases of injectors and even the timing chain failing earlier than expected in several of the models that use it.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 2.0 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi and 2.0 dCi
Item	2.0 and 2.2 VCDi	2.0 dCi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,995 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	121–184 hp	90–177 hp
Production	2006–2015^{[9][10][11][12][13]}	2005–2016^{[14][15][16][17]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	43Moderate risk	52High risk
Documented faults	3	5
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: Premature turbocharger failure Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF)
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][18] 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 dCi 130-150 (M9R, cars, 2005-2012)^[5][6][8] 2.0 dCi 160-177 (M9R, higher-output cars, 2006-2016)^[6][7][19] 2.0 dCi 90-115 (M9R, vans, 2006-2014)^[20]
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 dCi

See the 12 models with the 2.0 dCi

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

With the 2.0 dCi

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.

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
Fiabilité Renault Laguna 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Koleos : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Espace 4 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault KoleosWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault Mégane IIIWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Grand Espace 2.0 dCi PrivilegeAutopista · Motoring press · published 19 September 2006 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Chevrolet Cruze (J300, 2008-2016): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026