1.4 HDi 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 1.4 HDi: 32/100 versus 43/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.4 HDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; 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

1.4 HDi

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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 202619 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 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).^[4][5][6][7]

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

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 HDi and VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Item	1.4 HDi	VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,399 cm³	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	—
Power	54–92 hp	150–250 hp
Production	2001–2010^{[1][8][9][10]}	2003–2020^{[11][12][13][14][15][16]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	43Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	High 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	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^[17][18]
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][10]	2.8 CRD R 428 (ENR, 110 kW / 150 hp, 2003-2008)^[4][17] 2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)^[4][19] 2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)^[4][19] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5 (190 and 239-241 hp, 2011-2013)^[5][7] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5+ (190 and 250 hp, 2013-2020)^[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

1.4 HDi

See the 12 models with the 1.4 HDi

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 1.4 HDi

With the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

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.

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
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
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
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