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

According to our risk index, the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi carries less risk than the 2.2 HDi: 43/100 versus 48/100 (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 HDi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «DPF clogging with additive, especially on the 128-138 hp version».

Risk index

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.2 HDi

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202617 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 HDi reliable?

This is a diesel derived from the 2.0 HDi that PSA and Ford shared in large saloons and MPVs (407, 607, 807, C5, C6, C8) and that Land Rover and Ford used under their own names (TDCi, TD4, SD4) in the Mondeo IV, the Freelander 2 and the first Evoque. According to fiches-auto it does not suffer chronically from the turbo or dual-mass flywheel problems of smaller HDi engines, but the 128-138 hp version does have a recurring problem of DPF clogging.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 2.2 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi and 2.2 HDi
Item	Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi	2.2 HDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	2,179 cm³
Timing	Gears	Timing belt (dry)
Power	117–177 hp	128–204 hp
Production	since 2012^{[4][9][10][11]}	2000–2015^{[5][7][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	43Moderate risk	48Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	4
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	High 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: DPF clogging with additive, especially on the 128-138 hp version High severity: Turbo faults, somewhat more frequent on the sequential twin-turbo versions High severity: Piezo injector wear and failure
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]	2.2 HDi 150-156 (single variable-geometry turbo, 2006-2012)^[15][16]
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][17]	2.2 HDi 128-138 (DW12 TED4, single turbo, 2000-2006)^[8] 2.2 HDi 170-175 twin-turbo (DW12 BTED4, 2005-2010)^[8][13] 2.2 HDi 190-204 twin-turbo (DW12 C, 2010-2015)^[13]
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 HDi

See the 13 models with the 2.2 HDi

Other comparisons

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With the 2.2 HDi

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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
PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Ford MondeoWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Land Rover FreelanderWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 2,2 HDI 136 chevauxFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
Range Rover EvoqueWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 2,2 HDI 204 chevauxFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai Citroën C5 Exclusive + 2.2 HDI 200 TourerActu Automobile · Motoring press · published 2011 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai Peugeot 4007 2.2 HDi DCS 6Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 7 April 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Citroën C-CrosserWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Isuzu D-Max ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026