e-Skyactiv D 3.3 vs 1.9 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 carries less risk than the 1.9 dCi: 21/100 (low risk) versus 67/100 (high risk). The e-Skyactiv D 3.3 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Stalling and restart failures due to control unit software»; the 1.9 dCi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings».

Risk index

e-Skyactiv D 3.3

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.9 dCi

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202613 sources How we work

Is the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 reliable?

The e-Skyactiv D 3.3 is an inline-six diesel with mild-hybrid assistance that Mazda debuted in the CX-60. It is a very recent engine: there is no in-service reliability data, and what is documented are software recalls (stalling, restarting, clutch) fixed at the official dealer.^[1][2][3]

See the 2 of the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 faults

Is the 1.9 dCi reliable?

The 1.9 dCi (F9Q) was Renault's first common-rail diesel (1999) and powered a large part of its range, and those of Nissan and Volvo, for more than a decade. It has well-documented weak points: on versions of up to 120 hp built before 2005, the big-end bearings can seize and the turbo tends to degrade around 150,000 km; the injectors, the EGR valve and, on the 120 hp versions, the dual-mass flywheel also fail fairly often.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

See the 5 of the 1.9 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of e-Skyactiv D 3.3 and 1.9 dCi
Item	e-Skyactiv D 3.3	1.9 dCi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	3,283 cm³	1,870 cm³
Timing	—	Timing belt (dry)
Power	254 hp	80–130 hp
Production	since 2022^[9][10]	1999–2011^[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	21Low risk	67High risk
Documented faults	2	5
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Stalling and restart failures due to control unit software High severity: Clutch between engine and electric motor that does not re-engage after braking	Critical severity: Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings High severity: Premature turbocharger wear High severity: Failures of the Delphi direct-injection injectors
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	3.3 e-Skyactiv D 254 (T3-VPTS, 2022-present)^[1][2][3]	1.9 dCi 95-120 (F9Q, first generation, 1999-2005)^[6] 1.9 dCi 125-130 (F9Q, Energy dCi, 2005-2011)^[6] 1.9 dCi 80-101 (F9Q, vans and commercial vehicles, 1999-2007)^[4][5]
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

e-Skyactiv D 3.3

Mazda CX-60

1.9 dCi

See the 13 models with the 1.9 dCi

Other comparisons

With the e-Skyactiv D 3.3

With the 1.9 dCi

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.

DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (Mazda CX-60)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 29 October 2026
Mazda CX-60 (2022 – 2024): engine stall (Safety Gate SR/01913/25)Car-Recalls.eu · Official body · published 23 May 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
Mazda CX-60: The engine not responding to the accelerator after stopping (KBA 14131R)Car-Recalls.eu · Official body · published 11 August 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
Renault Mégane II (2002 – 2009): Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Scénic II (2003 – 2009) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Achat d'occasion : faut-il éviter le moteur 1.9 dCi F9Q chez Renault ?Planète Renault · Motoring press · published 24 January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Diesels : volant moteur défectueuxFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Vanne EGR : problèmes et pannesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Skyactiv (apartado Skyactiv-D 3.3)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Mazda CX-60 3.3 e-Skyactiv D MHEV 254ps AWD HomuraPractical Caravan · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026
Renault F-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Moteur F RenaultWikipédia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Espace IVWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German