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2.0 and 2.2 VCDi vs D4/D5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi carries less risk than the D4/D5: 43/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (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 D4/D5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)».

Risk index

2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

43

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

D4/D5

64

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

17 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 D4/D5 reliable?

The Volvo D5/D4 covers two different engines: the classic 5-cylinder (2001-2016, D5244T/D5204) and the 4-cylinder VEA (D4204T, from 2013). On the former, several owners document the auxiliary belt breaking and taking the timing belt with it, destroying the engine; on the VEA the most common problems are the EGR, the DPF and oil consumption that can damage the turbo from 90,000-150,000 km. Neither is an engine to buy without checking its service history.[5][6][7][8]

See the 6 of the D4/D5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi and D4/D5
2.0 and 2.2 VCDiD4/D5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power121–184 hp120–235 hp
Production2006–2015[9][10][11][12][13]2001–2024[5][6][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)43Moderate risk64High risk
Documented faults36
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityCritical severityCritical 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. Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)
  2. High severity: High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA)
  3. Medium severity: Clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 VCDi 121–150 hp (VM Motori licence; Z20S in the Captiva, 2006–2011)[1][3][15]
  • 2.0 VCDi 130–163 hp (Z20D1, 2011–2014)[1][2]
  • 2.2 VCDi 163–184 hp (Z22D1 / A22DM, Captiva, 2011–2015)[3][4]
  • 2.4/2.0 D3/D4/D5 5-cylinder (D5244T/D5204, 2001-2016)[7][16]
  • 2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)[7][8][17]
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

D4/D5

See the 14 models with the D4/D5

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 and 2.2 VCDi

With the D4/D5

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. Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Volvo D5: 185 CV para el S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista.es · Motoring press · published July 2005 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Chevrolet CaptivaWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  10. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  11. 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
  12. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Captiva 2.2 D LT 2WD (05/11 - 04/13)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  13. Allgemeine Daten zum Chevrolet Orlando 2.0TD S/S LTZ (10/12 - 08/14)ADAC · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  14. Volvo XC90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Chevrolet Cruze (J300, 2008-2016): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  16. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French