1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC vs 2.0 CDTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 CDTI carries less risk than the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC: 38/100 (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 2.0 CDTI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger wear or failure».

Risk index

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 CDTI

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202615 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 2.0 CDTI reliable?

Unlike the 1.3 and 1.6 CDTI of the same era, the Opel/Vauxhall 2.0 CDTI (2008-2019, 110-210 hp with BiTurbo variants) is an engine with a timing belt rather than a chain. It builds up soot in the injectors and EGR valve, clogs its DPF on short journeys, has a recorded faulty turbo and one engine failure, and its models were among those investigated by Germany's KBA and the Frankfurt public prosecutor over a possible switching-off of the emissions treatment.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

See the 6 of the 2.0 CDTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC and 2.0 CDTI
Item	1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC	2.0 CDTI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,956 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	120–180 hp	110–210 hp
Production	2008–2020^[1][11][12]	2008–2019^[5][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	54High risk	38Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	6
Of high or critical severity	3	2
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: Turbocharger wear or failure Medium severity: Soot build-up in the injectors and EGR valve Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution on short journeys
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][12]	None
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]	2.0 CDTI 110-131 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ, 2008-2015)^[6][15] 2.0 CDTI 160-170 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH, 2008-2019)^[7][8] 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI 195 hp (A20DTR, 2011-2015)^[6] 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 210 hp 4x4 (Insignia B, 2017-2022)^[13]
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

2.0 CDTI

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

With the 2.0 CDTI

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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
Opel Insignia AWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Astra (H, J, K): Technische Daten, Abmessungen, AnhängelastGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Opel Insignia - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Insignia Grand Sport - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel está de nuevo en el punto de mira por las emisiones con 60.000 coches afectadosMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 16 July 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
La Fiscalía alemana registra las instalaciones de Opel en el marco de una investigación sobre emisionesMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 15 October 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
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 InsigniaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2017-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German