1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC vs 1.7 CDTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.7 CDTI carries less risk than the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC: 36/100 (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 1.7 CDTI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear».

Risk index

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.7 CDTI

Moderate risk · 3 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 27 September 202616 sources How 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 1.7 CDTI reliable?

The 1.7 CDTI (Isuzu, 2003-2015) is a simple, widely used diesel, but it has built up accounts of soot-fouled EGR valves and injectors, a clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) with oil dilution, wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutch, and of the Hitachi-brand alternator; it also requires the timing belt to be changed every 150,000 km or 6 years to avoid a serious failure.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]}

See the 5 of the 1.7 CDTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC and 1.7 CDTI
Item	1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC	1.7 CDTI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,686 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	120–180 hp	100–130 hp
Production	2008–2020^[1][12][13]	2003–2015^[5][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	54High risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	3	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Turbocharger failure Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage at high mileage Critical severity: Diesel injector wear or failure	High severity: Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear High severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution Critical severity: Timing belt: risk of serious failure if not changed on time
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.2 i-DTEC 150 (N22B1/B3/B4, from 2008)^[3][4][13]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 i-DTEC 120 (N16A1, single turbo, from 2013)^[2][16] 1.6 i-DTEC 160 (N16A4, twin turbo, CR-V)^[3] 2.2 i-DTEC 180 Type S (N22B2, from 2010)^[1]	1.7 CDTI 100-101 hp (Z17DTH, 2003-2007)^[10][11] 1.7 CDTI 110 hp (Z17DTJ/A17DTJ/A17DTC/A17DTE, 2007-2014)^[10][11] 1.7 CDTI 125 hp (Z17DTR/A17DTR, 2006-2013)^[6][7] 1.7 CDTI 130 hp (A17DTS, 2010-2015)^[10][11]
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

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

1.7 CDTI

See the 7 models with the 1.7 CDTI

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

With the 1.7 CDTI

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.

Honda N engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2012-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2007-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Circle L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Essai complet Opel Astra (H) : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai complet Opel Zafira 2 : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai complet Opel Meriva : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Astra H (A04): Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Meriva A: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Meriva B: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Honda HR-VWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Avis et fiabilité Honda Accord (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Corsa DWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel MerivaWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2017-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French