2.0 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 2.0 CDTI: 32/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.0 CDTI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger wear or failure»; 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

2.0 CDTI

Moderate risk · 2 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 2.0 CDTI reliable?

Unlike the 1.3 and 1.6 CDTI of the same era, the Opel/Vauxhall 2.0 CDTI (2008-2019, 110-210 hp with BiTurbo variants) is an engine with a timing belt rather than a chain. It builds up soot in the injectors and EGR valve, clogs its DPF on short journeys, has a recorded faulty turbo and one engine failure, and its models were among those investigated by Germany's KBA and the Frankfurt public prosecutor over a possible switching-off of the emissions treatment.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

See the 6 of the 2.0 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).^{[7][8][9][10]}

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

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 CDTI and VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Item	2.0 CDTI	VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,956 cm³	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	—
Power	110–210 hp	150–250 hp
Production	2008–2019^[1][11]	2003–2020^{[12][13][14][15][16][17]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	4
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure Medium severity: Soot build-up in the injectors and EGR valve Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution on short journeys	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^[18][19]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 CDTI 110-131 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ, 2008-2015)^[2][20] 2.0 CDTI 160-170 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH, 2008-2019)^[3][4] 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI 195 hp (A20DTR, 2011-2015)^[2] 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 210 hp 4x4 (Insignia B, 2017-2022)^[11]	2.8 CRD R 428 (ENR, 110 kW / 150 hp, 2003-2008)^[7][18] 2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)^[7][21] 2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)^[7][21] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5 (190 and 239-241 hp, 2011-2013)^[8][10] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5+ (190 and 250 hp, 2013-2020)^[8][9] 3.0 V6 Diesel A 630 HP Maserati (250 and 275 hp, 2013–2020)^[8][22]
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

2.0 CDTI

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

See the 13 models with the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

Other comparisons

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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.

Opel Insignia AWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Astra (H, J, K): Technische Daten, Abmessungen, AnhängelastGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Opel Insignia - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Insignia Grand Sport - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel está de nuevo en el punto de mira por las emisiones con 60.000 coches afectadosMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 16 July 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
La Fiscalía alemana registra las instalaciones de Opel en el marco de una investigación sobre emisionesMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 15 October 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
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 InsigniaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
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
Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Zahnriemenwechsel Jeep Wranglerrepareo.de · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Problemas Maserati Ghibli DiéselTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in Spanish