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1.7 CRDi vs Skyactiv-D: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.7 CRDi carries less risk than the Skyactiv-D: 38/100 (moderate risk) versus 55/100 (high risk). The 1.7 CRDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Injectors that lose calibration with mileage»; the Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations».

Risk index

1.7 CRDi

38

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

55

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

18 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.7 CRDi reliable?

The 1.7 CRDi (U2 D4FD, 2010-2018) is a reasonably reliable diesel if it is properly maintained, with one specific documented problem in cold weather: power loss and stalling caused by the turbo actuator, the diesel filter and the glow plugs. It also suffers the emissions-system wear (EGR, DPF) typical of its generation, injectors that can lose calibration and, in a particular mileage range, high-pressure pump failures.[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the 1.7 CRDi faults

Is the Skyactiv-D reliable?

The Skyactiv-D is a modern and generally reliable diesel, but across its three displacements (1.5, 1.8 and 2.2) it shares oil dilution with diesel fuel during diesel particulate filter regenerations, which means you need to watch the oil level and not stretch oil changes, especially on short journeys; the older 2.2s (2012-2014) also accumulate more turbo and carbon build-up cases.[4][5][6][7]

See the 4 of the Skyactiv-D faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.7 CRDi and Skyactiv-D
1.7 CRDiSkyactiv-D
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,685 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power115–141 hp105–184 hp
Production2010–2018[1][8][9][10]since 2012[4][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk55High risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Injectors that lose calibration with mileage
  2. High severity: High-pressure fuel pump failure
  3. Medium severity: Seized turbo actuator (VGT) and power loss when cold
  1. High severity: Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations
  2. High severity: Turbo wear or failure from lack of lubrication
  3. Critical severity: Oil pump chain breakage and camshaft wear
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,000High-pressure fuel pump failurePublished figure[3]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.7 CRDi U2 (D4FD, 115-141 hp, sold in Spain 2010-2018)[2][3]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)[5][13][14]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)[6][15]
  • 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)[7][16]
  • 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)[7][17][18]
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

1.7 CRDi

See the 8 models with the 1.7 CRDi

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

Other comparisons

With the 1.7 CRDi

With the Skyactiv-D

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Hyundai U engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Kia Sportage 1.7 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Hyundai iX35 1.7 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Kia Sportage - Timing Belt or Timing Chain?cochesconcadena.com · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Hyundai Tucson 2015 | Precios, datos y equipamientoskm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. KIA Sportage 2016 | Precios, datos y equipamientoskm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  12. Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  15. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French