Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi vs 2.2 TD4 / SD4: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 carries less risk than the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi: 32/100 versus 43/100 (both moderate risk). The Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign)»; the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Coolant leak from the EGR valve cooler».

Risk index

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.2 TD4 / SD4

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 2 November 202615 sources How we work

Is the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi reliable?

These are the diesels of the Isuzu D-Max: the 2.5 twin-turbo (4JK1) and the 1.9 Ddi (RZ4E) of the European range, and the 2.5 and 3.0 of the Latin American Chevrolet D-Max. Auto Express speaks of enviable reliability; what is documented is diesel in the oil of the 2.5 on short journeys, soot in the EGR and a 2017 campaign for the camshaft gear.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi faults

Is the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 reliable?

This is the 2.2-litre diesel of the Freelander 2, the first Evoque, the 2014-2015 Discovery Sport and the Jaguar XF 2.2D. The sources consulted do not describe it as a problematic engine, but they point to three things: the EGR cooler, the DPF in urban use, and replacing the belt along with the water pump.^[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi and 2.2 TD4 / SD4
Item	Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi	2.2 TD4 / SD4
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	2,179 cm³
Timing	Gears	Timing belt (dry)
Power	117–177 hp	150–200 hp
Production	since 2012^{[4][8][9][10]}	2006–2015^{[11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	43Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	3
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign) High severity: Diesel in the oil and clogged particulate filter on short journeys Medium severity: EGR valve blocked by soot	High severity: Coolant leak from the EGR valve cooler Critical severity: Timing belt failure and water pump failure Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged by urban use
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.9 Ddi 163 hp (RZ4E, European D-Max from 2017)^[1][4]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.5 TD twin-turbo 163 hp (4JK1, European D-Max 2012-2017)^[2][4] 2.5 and 3.0 TD (4JK1 and 4JJ1, Latin American Chevrolet D-Max 2012-2020)^[3][15]	2.2 TD4 / eD4 150-160 hp^[5][7][14] 2.2 SD4 190-200 hp^[6]
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

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

2.2 TD4 / SD4

Other comparisons

With the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

With the 2.2 TD4 / SD4

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Sources

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

Isuzu D-Max reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 16 October 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Isuzu D-MaxFarmers Weekly · Motoring press · published 17 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
Isuzu MU-X & D-Max common problems and solutionsUnsealed 4X4 · Motoring press · published 12 June 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
Isuzu D-Max: Camshaft Gear Teeth May Break (R/2017/194)Car-Recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA) · Other source · published 10 July 2017 · consulted 2 November 2026
Land Rover Freelander Mk2 common problems 2006-2015Haynes · Technical documentation · published December 2022 · consulted 5 October 2026
Test / Avis Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.2 SD4 190 ch (2011-2018)Fiches-auto · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Land Rover Freelander 2Totalrenting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Isuzu D-MaxWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation (2012-2017): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation, 1. Facelift (2017-2020): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Land Rover FreelanderWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Land Rover Discovery SportWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Jaguar XF (X250)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
How to fit a timing belt on a Land Rover Freelander 2Professional Motor Mechanic (PMM) · Motoring press · published 22 January 2018 · consulted 5 October 2026
Isuzu D-Max ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026