1.4 HDi vs 1.9 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 HDi carries less risk than the 1.9 dCi: 43/100 (moderate risk) versus 67/100 (high risk). The 1.4 HDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; the 1.9 dCi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings».

Risk index

1.4 HDi

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.9 dCi

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 27 September 202614 sources How we work

Is the 1.4 HDi reliable?

It is a small diesel that is generally reliable, but with a very well-documented weakness: the injectors tend to lose their seal over time and let diesel escape. The turbo and the EGR valve also fail on a noticeable minority of units, and there are isolated cases of the crankshaft damper pulley failing at very high mileages. The timing belt does not seem to cause more problems than on any diesel of its era if it is changed on time.^[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the 1.4 HDi faults

Is the 1.9 dCi reliable?

The 1.9 dCi (F9Q) was Renault's first common-rail diesel (1999) and powered a large part of its range, and those of Nissan and Volvo, for more than a decade. It has well-documented weak points: on versions of up to 120 hp built before 2005, the big-end bearings can seize and the turbo tends to degrade around 150,000 km; the injectors, the EGR valve and, on the 120 hp versions, the dual-mass flywheel also fail fairly often.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

See the 5 of the 1.9 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 HDi and 1.9 dCi
Item	1.4 HDi	1.9 dCi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,399 cm³	1,870 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	54–92 hp	80–130 hp
Production	2001–2010^{[1][9][10][11]}	1999–2011^[12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	43Moderate risk	67High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	1	3
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape High severity: Timing belt and water pump Medium severity: Premature turbo wear from poor lubrication	Critical severity: Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings High severity: Premature turbocharger wear High severity: Failures of the Delphi direct-injection injectors
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.4 HDi/TDCi 54/68/70 8V (DV4TD, 2001-2009)^[2][3] 1.4 HDi 90/92 16V (DV4TED4, 2002-2009)^[2][11]	1.9 dCi 95-120 (F9Q, first generation, 1999-2005)^[6] 1.9 dCi 125-130 (F9Q, Energy dCi, 2005-2011)^[6] 1.9 dCi 80-101 (F9Q, vans and commercial vehicles, 1999-2007)^[4][5]
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

1.4 HDi

See the 12 models with the 1.4 HDi

1.9 dCi

See the 13 models with the 1.9 dCi

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 HDi

With the 1.9 dCi

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Sources

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

Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 68 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 70 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Mégane II (2002 – 2009): Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Scénic II (2003 – 2009) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Achat d'occasion : faut-il éviter le moteur 1.9 dCi F9Q chez Renault ?Planète Renault · Motoring press · published 24 January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Diesels : volant moteur défectueuxFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Vanne EGR : problèmes et pannesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Ford Duratorq engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot DV4TD engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot DV4TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault F-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Moteur F RenaultWikipédia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Espace IVWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German