Skyactiv-D vs 2.5 dCi YD25: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Skyactiv-D carries less risk than the 2.5 dCi YD25: 55/100 versus 59/100 (both high risk). The Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations»; the 2.5 dCi YD25 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain wear and failure».

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

High risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.5 dCi YD25

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 5 October 202617 sources How we work

Is the Skyactiv-D reliable?

The Skyactiv-D is a modern and generally reliable diesel, but across its three displacements (1.5, 1.8 and 2.2) it shares oil dilution with diesel fuel during diesel particulate filter regenerations, which means you need to watch the oil level and not stretch oil changes, especially on short journeys; the older 2.2s (2012-2014) also accumulate more turbo and carbon build-up cases.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the Skyactiv-D faults

Is the 2.5 dCi YD25 reliable?

The 2.5 dCi YD25 in the Navara D40 and Pathfinder R51 is tough, but it has one documented weak point: the lower timing chain, whose failure can destroy the engine. Check its condition, as well as the EGR and the turbo.^[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 2.5 dCi YD25 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Skyactiv-D and 2.5 dCi YD25
Item	Skyactiv-D	2.5 dCi YD25
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	2,488 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	105–184 hp	144–190 hp
Production	since 2012^[1][8][9]	2005–2015^[5][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	55High risk	59High risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	3	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations High severity: Turbo wear or failure from lack of lubrication Critical severity: Oil pump chain breakage and camshaft wear	Critical severity: Timing chain wear and failure High severity: Turbocharger failure Medium severity: EGR valve clogged with carbon
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)^[2][12][13] 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)^[3][14] 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)^[4][15] 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)^[4][16][17]	2.5 dCi 144 and 174 hp (YD25DDTi, 2005-2010)^[5][6] 2.5 dCi 190 hp (YD25DDTi, 2010-2015)^[5][6]
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

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

2.5 dCi YD25

Other comparisons

With the Skyactiv-D

With the 2.5 dCi YD25

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.

SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Nissan NavaraFarmers Weekly Interactive · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026
YD25 Engine Guide: Specs, Reliability, Problems & Buying TipsAutopartswd · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
Nissan Navara ProblemeCarwiki.de · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Nissan YD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Nissan NavaraWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French