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Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi vs Skyactiv-D: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi carries less risk than the Skyactiv-D: 43/100 (moderate risk) versus 55/100 (high 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 Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations».

Risk index

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

43

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

20 sourcesHow 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 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.[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the Skyactiv-D faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi and Skyactiv-D
Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 DdiSkyactiv-D
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingGearsChain
Power117–177 hp105–184 hp
Productionsince 2012[4][9][10][11]since 2012[5][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)43Moderate risk55High risk
Documented faults34
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign)
  2. High severity: Diesel in the oil and clogged particulate filter on short journeys
  3. Medium severity: EGR valve blocked by soot
  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 repairNo reliable dataNo 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][14]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)[6][15][16]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)[7][17]
  • 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)[8][18]
  • 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)[8][19][20]
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

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

Other comparisons

With the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

With the Skyactiv-D

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. Isuzu D-Max reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 16 October 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Isuzu D-MaxFarmers Weekly · Motoring press · published 17 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. Isuzu MU-X & D-Max common problems and solutionsUnsealed 4X4 · Motoring press · published 12 June 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  4. 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
  5. SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Isuzu D-MaxWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation (2012-2017): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation, 1. Facelift (2017-2020): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Isuzu D-Max ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  15. Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  17. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  19. Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  20. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French