1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC vs 1.4 HDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 HDi 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 1.4 HDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.4 HDi

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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 202613 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 1.4 HDi reliable?

It is a small diesel that is generally reliable, but with a very well-documented weakness: the injectors tend to lose their seal over time and let diesel escape. The turbo and the EGR valve also fail on a noticeable minority of units, and there are isolated cases of the crankshaft damper pulley failing at very high mileages. The timing belt does not seem to cause more problems than on any diesel of its era if it is changed on time.^[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.4 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC and 1.4 HDi
Item	1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC	1.4 HDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,399 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	120–180 hp	54–92 hp
Production	2008–2020^[1][8][9]	2001–2010^{[5][10][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	54High risk	43Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	3	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Turbocharger failure Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage at high mileage Critical severity: Diesel injector wear or failure	Medium severity: Injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape High severity: Timing belt and water pump Medium severity: Premature turbo wear from poor lubrication
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][9]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 i-DTEC 120 (N16A1, single turbo, from 2013)^[2][13] 1.6 i-DTEC 160 (N16A4, twin turbo, CR-V)^[3] 2.2 i-DTEC 180 Type S (N22B2, from 2010)^[1]	1.4 HDi/TDCi 54/68/70 8V (DV4TD, 2001-2009)^[6][7] 1.4 HDi 90/92 16V (DV4TED4, 2002-2009)^[6][12]
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

1.4 HDi

See the 12 models with the 1.4 HDi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

With the 1.4 HDi

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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
Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 68 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 70 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
Ford Duratorq engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot DV4TD engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot DV4TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2017-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French