Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi vs D5 5 cilindros: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the D5 5 cilindros carries less risk than the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi: 39/100 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 D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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 D5 5 cilindros reliable?

Volvo's five-cylinder D5 (2.4 D3/D4/D5 and 2.0 D3/D4) has no documented systemic fault, but it does carry one serious risk: several owners report that a snapped auxiliary belt took the timing belt with it. The rest is EGR, DPF and the odd turbo.^[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi and D5 5 cilindros
Item	Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi	D5 5 cilindros
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	2,400 cm³
Timing	Gears	Timing belt (dry)
Power	117–177 hp	126–215 hp
Production	since 2012^{[4][8][9][10]}	2001–2015^{[11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	43Moderate risk	39Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	4
Of high or critical severity	2	1
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	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure^[7]
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]	2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)^[5][6] 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)^[5][6] 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)^[6][14]
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

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

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With the D5 5 cilindros

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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
Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Volvo XC60 (2008-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · 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
Volvo D5 de 185 CV para S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista · Motoring press · published 27 July 2005 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Isuzu D-Max ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026