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AL4 / DP0 vs ZF 8HP: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the AL4 / DP0 gearbox carries less risk than the ZF 8HP gearbox: 25/100 versus 36/100 (both moderate risk). The AL4 / DP0 gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheating»; the ZF 8HP gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)».

Risk index

AL4 / DP0

25

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

ZF 8HP

36

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

12 sourcesHow we work

Is the AL4 / DP0 gearbox reliable?

The AL4 (Peugeot and Citroën) and the DP0 (Renault) are the same 4-speed automatic gearbox, developed jointly by both groups and presented in 1998 to replace the old ZF 4HP20. It was fitted for more than a decade across much of both manufacturers' compact and mid-size ranges. As with any automatic gearbox, degraded oil or a low oil level causes harsh shifts and slipping.[1][2][3][4]

See the 2 of the AL4 / DP0 gearbox faults

Is the ZF 8HP gearbox reliable?

The ZF 8HP is an 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox, launched in 2008 in the BMW 7 Series and later adopted by BMW, Audi ('tiptronic'), Jaguar, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo and Jeep. It has a reputation for being reliable, although it accumulates jerking that sometimes calls for reprogramming the control unit, occasional mechatronic failures and leaks from the sump gaskets; the oil is sold as 'lifetime', but several garages advise changing it earlier.[5][6][7][8][9]

See the 3 of the ZF 8HP gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of AL4 / DP0 and ZF 8HP
AL4 / DP0ZF 8HP
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox type4-speed hydraulic automatic with electronic controlTorque-converter automatic with planetary gearsets, 8-speed, longitudinal mounting
Productionsince 1998[1][2]since 2008[5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)25Moderate risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults23
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheating
  2. Low severity: Jolt or sharp thud when engaging a gear from a standstill
  1. High severity: Mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)
  2. Medium severity: Jerking and hesitation when changing gear, sometimes needing reprogramming
  3. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the gearbox gaskets or sump
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €3,500Mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)Published figure[6]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1st generation (2008-2013)[6]
  • 3rd generation, with electrification (from 2018)[12]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

AL4 / DP0

See the 11 models with the AL4 / DP0 gearbox

ZF 8HP

See the 21 models with the ZF 8HP gearbox

Other comparisons

With the AL4 / DP0 gearbox

With the ZF 8HP gearbox

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.

  1. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Peugeot 206Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. El aceite de la caja de cambios automática que el fabricante no cambia: evita una avería de 3.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Síntomas de falta de aceite en una caja de cambios automáticaAutopista.es · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. ZF 8HP transmissionWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Fiabilité BMW Série 5 (2010-2016), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité BMW X5 (2013-2018), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité Jaguar F-Pace, pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité BMW Série 1 (2011-2019), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité BMW X3 (2010-2017), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité Audi A6 (2011-2018), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Fiabilité Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013-2022), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French