MZR-CD vs 2.0/2.2 D-4D: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the MZR-CD carries less risk than the 2.0/2.2 D-4D: 64/100 (high risk) versus 77/100 (very high risk). The MZR-CD has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD»; the 2.0/2.2 D-4D has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Warped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4D».

Risk index

MZR-CD

High risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0/2.2 D-4D

Very high risk · 1 serious fault

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202625 sources How we work

Is the MZR-CD reliable?

The MZR-CD is Mazda's most widespread diesel between 2002 and 2013, fitted to the Mazda3, Mazda6, Mazda5 and CX-7. It is sensitive to short journeys: the injector seals and incomplete DPF regenerations can dilute the oil, and the EGR and intake build up carbon. The 2.2-litre redesign (from 2008), with a timing chain instead of a belt, adds the risk of that chain stretching and damaging the engine.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the MZR-CD faults

Is the 2.0/2.2 D-4D reliable?

No: the 2.0/2.2 D-4D family is among the most problematic Toyota diesels. The 2.2 block (2AD-FTV and 2AD-FHV D-CAT) has a large number of cases of warped cylinder head gaskets and oil consumption or dilution in the Avensis, RAV4, Auris, Corolla Verso and Verso; the EGR valve and injectors fail frequently across the whole family, and the D-CAT filter clogs up if the car is not driven regularly on open roads.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 2.0/2.2 D-4D faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of MZR-CD and 2.0/2.2 D-4D
Item	MZR-CD	2.0/2.2 D-4D
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	105–185 hp	116–177 hp
Production	2002–2013^{[9][10][11][12][13]}	2005–2018^{[14][15][16][17][18]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	77Very high risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	3	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD High severity: Oil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerations High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure	Critical severity: Warped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4D Medium severity: EGR valve clogged with soot Medium severity: Injector wear and failure
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 MZR-CD 121-143 (RF, 2002-2005, no DPF)^[1][3][19] 2.0 MZR-CD 105-143 (RF, 2005-2010, with DPF)^{[1][3][19][20]} 2.2 MZR-CD 125-185 (R2, 2008-2013)^{[2][4][21][22]}	2.0 D-4D (1AD-FTV, 116-126 hp, 2005-2018)^[5][23]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	2.2 D-4D (2AD-FTV, 136-150 hp, 2005-2015)^{[5][6][7][8][23][24][25]} 2.2 D-4D D-CAT (2AD-FHV, 174-177 hp, 2005-2015)^[6][23][24]

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

MZR-CD

2.0/2.2 D-4D

See the 10 models with the 2.0/2.2 D-4D

Other comparisons

With the MZR-CD

With the 2.0/2.2 D-4D

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Sources

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

Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2008-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda 6 I: Bekannte Probleme und Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda 6 II: Bekannte Probleme und Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Toyota Avensis (2003-2009) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Toyota Avensis (2008-2018) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Toyota RAV4 (2006-2012) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Toyota RAV4 (2013-2019) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda3Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda CX-7Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Toyota AD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Toyota AvensisWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Toyota AvensisWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Toyota AurisWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Toyota VersoWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2003-2009)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Japanische Zuverlässigkeit? Ärger mit den Dieseln von Mazda und Toyotagebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2009-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda 3 II (2009-2013): Typische Probleme & Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Toyota Auris (2007-2012) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Toyota Corolla Verso : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Toyota Verso : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French