MZR-CD vs 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD) carries less risk than the MZR-CD: 20/100 (low risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The MZR-CD has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD»; the 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

MZR-CD

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD)

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202622 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 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD) reliable?

No serious mechanical faults are documented in the European sources we were able to open: AutoBild saw the 2.8 as more robust than the 3.0 it replaced, although it points to glow plugs that fail early. Its best-documented weak point is the particulate filter, with a lawsuit in Australia but no equivalent recall or legal action in Europe, and there are barely any high-mileage examples from which to judge long-term reliability.^[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of MZR-CD and 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD)
Item	MZR-CD	2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	105–185 hp	150–204 hp
Production	2002–2013^{[8][9][10][11][12]}	since 2015^{[13][14][15][16]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	20Low risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	3	0
Worst severity	Critical severity	Medium 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	Medium severity: Blocked particulate filter (DPF) due to incomplete regenerations Medium severity: Variable geometry turbo (VNT) seized by soot Medium severity: Diesel dilution of the engine oil from interrupted particulate filter regenerations
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	2.8 D-4D 204 (1GD-FTV, 204 hp, from 2020)^[17]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 MZR-CD 121-143 (RF, 2002-2005, no DPF)^[1][3][18] 2.0 MZR-CD 105-143 (RF, 2005-2010, with DPF)^{[1][3][18][19]} 2.2 MZR-CD 125-185 (R2, 2008-2013)^{[2][4][20][21]}	2.4 D-4D 150 (2GD-FTV, 150 hp, from 2016)^[17][22] 2.8 D-4D 177 (1GD-FTV, 177 hp, 2015-2020)^[5][6][17]
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

MZR-CD

2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD)

Other comparisons

With the MZR-CD

With the 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD)

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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 Land Cruiser 150: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 20 January 2020 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Toyota Faces Up To $1.5 Billion Payout To Owners Over Diesel Lawsuit In AustraliaCarscoops · Motoring press · published 7 April 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 9 October 2026
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 GD engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
Toyota HiluxWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
Allgemeine Daten zum Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8 D-4D (5-Türer) (10/20 - 08/24)ADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Allgemeine Daten zum Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4 D-4D Duty 4x4 (08/16 - 09/20)ADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Toyota upgrades DPF system, no change on dust issuePractical Motoring · Motoring press · published 27 August 2020 · consulted 9 October 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
DPF regeneration: your questions answeredToyota UK Magazine · Manufacturer · consulted 9 October 2026