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1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC vs 1.9 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC carries less risk than the 1.9 TDI: 54/100 versus 66/100 (both high risk). The 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger failure»; the 1.9 TDI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Big-end bearing failure».

Risk index

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

54

High risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.9 TDI

66

High risk · 3 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

19 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 1.9 TDI reliable?

It depends a lot on the version. The rotary pump (1996-2003, codes ALH and AGR among others) has a reputation for great durability. The unit injector system (1999-2010) improves performance and emissions, but has more documented faults: dual-mass flywheel, turbo, EGR valve and, above all in the 105 hp version, cases of broken big-end bearings.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

See the 6 of the 1.9 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC and 1.9 TDI
1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC1.9 TDI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement—1,896 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power120–180 hp75–150 hp
Production2008–2020[1][12][13]1996–2010[5][14][15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk66High risk
Documented faults56
Of high or critical severity33
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: Big-end bearing failure
  2. High severity: Seized or broken variable-geometry turbo
  3. Medium severity: EGR valve clogged with carbon
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €1,500Premature wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutchPublished figure[18]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.9 TDI rotary pump (VP37, 1996-2003)[6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 120 (N16A1, single turbo, from 2013)[2][19]
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 160 (N16A4, twin turbo, CR-V)[3]
  • 2.2 i-DTEC 180 Type S (N22B2, from 2010)[1]
  • 1.9 TDI high-performance unit injector (101-150 hp, 1999-2003)[8][18]
  • 1.9 TDI unit injector 75-105 hp (2003-2010)[7][11]
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

1.9 TDI

See the 20 models with the 1.9 TDI

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

With the 1.9 TDI

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. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Les TDI sont-ils fiables ?fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published 15 December 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Golf Vfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Passat (1996-2004)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Passat (2004-2010)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Tous les problèmes sur Škoda Octavia (1997-2004)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Tous les problèmes sur Škoda Octavia (2004-2012)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Honda HR-VWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Avis et fiabilité Honda Accord (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Volkswagen Golf IVWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  15. Volkswagen Golf VWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. Volkswagen TouranWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  17. Volkswagen CaddyWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  18. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Golf IVfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  19. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2017-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French