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2.0 and 2.2 VCDi vs 2.3 dCi (M9T): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 dCi (M9T) carries less risk than the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi: 32/100 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 2.3 dCi (M9T) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo».

Risk index

2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

43

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

2.3 dCi (M9T)

32

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

16 sourcesHow 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 2.3 dCi (M9T) reliable?

The 2.3 dCi M9T is a van diesel with good durability if maintenance is kept up. The weak points cited are the EGR and the turbo, the injectors, and the particulate filter in urban use; the sources are mostly opinion websites.[5][6]

See the 5 of the 2.3 dCi (M9T) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi and 2.3 dCi (M9T)
2.0 and 2.2 VCDi2.3 dCi (M9T)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement—2,300 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power121–184 hp100–180 hp
Production2006–2015[7][8][9][10][11]since 2010[5][6][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)43Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults35
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Sump cover fire risk from DPF fault (2011–2015 Captiva diesel)
  2. Medium severity: Blocked DPF and failed regenerations
  3. Medium severity: Injectors failing early from soot build-up
  1. High severity: Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo
  2. Medium severity: Faulty injectors on the 2.3 dCi
  3. Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban use
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €2,300Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turboPublished figure[5][13]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T)[6]
  • 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T)[6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 VCDi 121–150 hp (VM Motori licence; Z20S in the Captiva, 2006–2011)[1][3][14]
  • 2.0 VCDi 130–163 hp (Z20D1, 2011–2014)[1][2]
  • 2.2 VCDi 163–184 hp (Z22D1 / A22DM, Captiva, 2011–2015)[3][4]
  • 2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo)[6]
  • 2.3 dCi in the Navara D23 (NP300)[15]
  • 2.3 OM 699 in the Mercedes X-Class, 163 and 190 hp (2017-2020)[6][16]
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

2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

2.3 dCi (M9T)

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

With the 2.3 dCi (M9T)

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. Fiabilité Chevrolet Cruze (2009-2015): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Chevrolet Orlando (2010-2015): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 31 October 2026 · in French
  3. Chevrolet Captiva (2006-2015): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  4. 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
  5. Renault Master III 2.3 dCi 130: fiabilité, pannes et coûtsCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Renault Master 2.3 dCiCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  7. Chevrolet CaptivaWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  8. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  9. 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
  10. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Captiva 2.2 D LT 2WD (05/11 - 04/13)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  11. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Orlando 2.0TD S/S LTZ (10/12 - 08/14)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  12. Renault Master (tercera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  13. Fiabilité du Renault Master RT 2.3 dCi: analyse complèteCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  14. Chevrolet Cruze (J300, 2008-2016): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  15. Nissan Navara wymaga zmian systemu oczyszczania spalinAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 23 August 2023 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in another language
  16. Mercedes-Benz X-Klasse: motores OM 699 y OM 642, producción en BarcelonaWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German