1.7 CDTI vs VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD carries less risk than the 1.7 CDTI: 32/100 versus 36/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.7 CDTI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear»; the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Loss of the crankshaft signal that stalls the engine (Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD)».

Risk index

1.7 CDTI

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

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 8 October 202622 sources How we work

Is the 1.7 CDTI reliable?

The 1.7 CDTI (Isuzu, 2003-2015) is a simple, widely used diesel, but it has built up accounts of soot-fouled EGR valves and injectors, a clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) with oil dilution, wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutch, and of the Hitachi-brand alternator; it also requires the timing belt to be changed every 150,000 km or 6 years to avoid a serious failure.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}

See the 5 of the 1.7 CDTI faults

Is the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD reliable?

The VM Motori 2.8 CRD (four-cylinder) and 3.0 CRD V6 diesels from Jeep, Chrysler and Lancia show no systemic fault in open sources: they describe injector wear, a dirty EGR and a high-mileage turbo, and AUTO BILD says durability complaints about the 3.0 are very rare. The UK DVSA identifies only one engine campaign for the 3.0 (2025).^{[8][9][10][11]}

See the 4 of the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.7 CDTI and VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Item	1.7 CDTI	VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,686 cm³	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	—
Power	100–130 hp	150–250 hp
Production	2003–2015^[1][12][13]	2003–2020^{[14][15][16][17][18][19]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	36Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	3	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear High severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution Critical severity: Timing belt: risk of serious failure if not changed on time	High severity: Loss of the crankshaft signal that stalls the engine (Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD) Medium severity: Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pump Medium severity: Turbocharger failure and intake hoses
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €1,400Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpPublished figure^[20][21]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.7 CDTI 100-101 hp (Z17DTH, 2003-2007)^[6][7] 1.7 CDTI 110 hp (Z17DTJ/A17DTJ/A17DTC/A17DTE, 2007-2014)^[6][7] 1.7 CDTI 125 hp (Z17DTR/A17DTR, 2006-2013)^[2][3] 1.7 CDTI 130 hp (A17DTS, 2010-2015)^[6][7]	2.8 CRD R 428 (ENR, 110 kW / 150 hp, 2003-2008)^[8][20] 2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)^[8][22] 2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)^[8][22] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5 (190 and 239-241 hp, 2011-2013)^[9][11] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5+ (190 and 250 hp, 2013-2020)^[9][10]
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

1.7 CDTI

See the 7 models with the 1.7 CDTI

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

See the 10 models with the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

Other comparisons

With the 1.7 CDTI

With the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

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Sources

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

Circle L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Essai complet Opel Astra (H) : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai complet Opel Zafira 2 : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai complet Opel Meriva : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Astra H (A04): Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Meriva A: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Meriva B: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Jeep Wrangler 2.8 Diesel ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · published 11 December 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026
Jeep Grand Cherokee IV: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 11 April 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 con kilometraje: se puede comprar, pero con maticesZa Rulyom (zr.ru) · Motoring press · published 28 April 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in another language
Opel Corsa DWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel MerivaWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
VM MotoriWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
VM MotoriWikipedia (it) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Italian
Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sport (2007-2008): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.8 CRD Mountain Aut. (2012): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
First drive: oil burner adds to Cherokee rangeGoAuto · Motoring press · published 11 March 2003 · consulted 8 October 2026
Problemas Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Problemas Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Zahnriemenwechsel Jeep Wranglerrepareo.de · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German