1.9 D (XUD and DW8) vs D5 5 cilindros: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.9 D (XUD and DW8) carries less risk than the D5 5 cilindros: 32/100 versus 39/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.9 D (XUD and DW8) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Damaged cylinder head gasket and cylinder head on the 1.9 D and TD»; the D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

1.9 D (XUD and DW8)

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 2 November 202618 sources How we work

Is the 1.9 D (XUD and DW8) reliable?

Simple, long-lived indirect-injection diesels with uncommon faults. The points to watch are the cylinder head gasket, the connecting rod on the 1996-1999 1.9 TD (rare but destructive), the accessory belt on cars built up to mid-1999, and oil or injection pump leaks at high mileage.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the 1.9 D (XUD and DW8) faults

Is the D5 5 cilindros reliable?

Volvo's five-cylinder D5 (2.4 D3/D4/D5 and 2.0 D3/D4) has no documented systemic fault, but it does carry one serious risk: several owners report that a snapped auxiliary belt took the timing belt with it. The rest is EGR, DPF and the odd turbo.^[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.9 D (XUD and DW8) and D5 5 cilindros
Item	1.9 D (XUD and DW8)	D5 5 cilindros
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	2,400 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	58–92 hp	126–215 hp
Production	1982–2007^{[8][9][10][11]}	2001–2015^{[12][13][14][15]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	32Moderate risk	39Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Damaged cylinder head gasket and cylinder head on the 1.9 D and TD Critical severity: Connecting rod failure without warning in the 1.9 TD (XUD9 TE) Medium severity: Accessory belt failure in the 1998-1999 diesels	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure^[7]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.8 D 58-60 hp (XUD7, until 2000)^[8][16] 1.9 D 68-71 hp (XUD9 A: D9B and DJY, 1994-2000)^{[1][2][4][17]} 1.9 SD 75 hp and 1.9 TD 90-92 hp (XUD9 SD and XUD9 TE, 1994-2000)^[1][2][3] 1.9 D 69-72 hp (DW8: WJY, WJZ and DW8B, 1999-2005)^[17][18]	2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)^[5][6] 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)^[5][6] 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)^[6][15]
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

1.9 D (XUD and DW8)

See the 16 models with the 1.9 D (XUD and DW8)

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

With the 1.9 D (XUD and DW8)

With the D5 5 cilindros

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

Peugeot 306: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Citroën Xsara: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Peugeot 406: fiche fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Peugeot 306: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Volvo XC60 (2008-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
PSA XUD engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
PSA-XUD-MotorWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Citroën XsaraWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo D5 de 185 CV para S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista · Motoring press · published 27 July 2005 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Fiabilité Peugeot Partner: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Citroën Berlingo: pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Citroën Berlingo: l'alternative ! (page Fiabilité)Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French