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1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC vs Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi carries less risk than the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC: 43/100 (moderate risk) versus 54/100 (high risk). The 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger failure»; the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign)».

Risk index

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

54

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

43

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

15 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC reliable?

The i-DTEC is Honda's diesel family from 2008, with two four-cylinder blocks: the 2.2 (Accord, CR-V) and, from 2013, the 1.6 (Civic, CR-V, HR-V). It uses a timing chain instead of a belt and common-rail injection. The basic architecture has a good reputation for longevity, but the emissions system (DPF and EGR) and the turbocharger account for most of the faults documented by owners themselves.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC faults

Is the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi reliable?

These are the diesels of the Isuzu D-Max: the 2.5 twin-turbo (4JK1) and the 1.9 Ddi (RZ4E) of the European range, and the 2.5 and 3.0 of the Latin American Chevrolet D-Max. Auto Express speaks of enviable reliability; what is documented is diesel in the oil of the 2.5 on short journeys, soot in the EGR and a 2017 campaign for the camshaft gear.[5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC and Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi
1.6 / 2.2 i-DTECIsuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingChainGears
Power120–180 hp117–177 hp
Production2008–2020[1][9][10]since 2012[8][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk43Moderate risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Turbocharger failure
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage at high mileage
  3. Critical severity: Diesel injector wear or failure
  1. Critical severity: Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign)
  2. High severity: Diesel in the oil and clogged particulate filter on short journeys
  3. Medium severity: EGR valve blocked by soot
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.9 Ddi 163 hp (RZ4E, European D-Max from 2017)[5][8]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 120 (N16A1, single turbo, from 2013)[2][14]
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 160 (N16A4, twin turbo, CR-V)[3]
  • 2.2 i-DTEC 180 Type S (N22B2, from 2010)[1]
  • 2.5 TD twin-turbo 163 hp (4JK1, European D-Max 2012-2017)[6][8]
  • 2.5 and 3.0 TD (4JK1 and 4JJ1, Latin American Chevrolet D-Max 2012-2020)[7][15]
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

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

With the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

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. Honda N engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2012-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2007-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Isuzu D-Max reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 16 October 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Isuzu D-MaxFarmers Weekly · Motoring press · published 17 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Isuzu MU-X & D-Max common problems and solutionsUnsealed 4X4 · Motoring press · published 12 June 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Isuzu D-Max: Camshaft Gear Teeth May Break (R/2017/194)Car-Recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA) · Other source · published 10 July 2017 · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Honda HR-VWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Avis et fiabilité Honda Accord (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Isuzu D-MaxWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation (2012-2017): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation, 1. Facelift (2017-2020): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2017-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Isuzu D-Max ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026