1.9 dCi vs D4/D5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the D4/D5 carries less risk than the 1.9 dCi: 64/100 versus 67/100 (both high risk). The 1.9 dCi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings»; the D4/D5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)».

Risk index

1.9 dCi

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

D4/D5

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202615 sources How we work

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.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

See the 5 of the 1.9 dCi faults

Is the D4/D5 reliable?

The Volvo D5/D4 covers two different engines: the classic 5-cylinder (2001-2016, D5244T/D5204) and the 4-cylinder VEA (D4204T, from 2013). On the former, several owners document the auxiliary belt breaking and taking the timing belt with it, destroying the engine; on the VEA the most common problems are the EGR, the DPF and oil consumption that can damage the turbo from 90,000-150,000 km. Neither is an engine to buy without checking its service history.^[6][7][8][9]

See the 6 of the D4/D5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.9 dCi and D4/D5
Item	1.9 dCi	D4/D5
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,870 cm³	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	80–130 hp	120–235 hp
Production	1999–2011^[10][11][12]	2001–2024^[6][7][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	67High risk	64High risk
Documented faults	5	6
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings High severity: Premature turbocharger wear High severity: Failures of the Delphi direct-injection injectors	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder) High severity: High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA) Medium severity: Clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.9 dCi 95-120 (F9Q, first generation, 1999-2005)^[3] 1.9 dCi 125-130 (F9Q, Energy dCi, 2005-2011)^[3] 1.9 dCi 80-101 (F9Q, vans and commercial vehicles, 1999-2007)^[1][2]	2.4/2.0 D3/D4/D5 5-cylinder (D5244T/D5204, 2001-2016)^[8][14] 2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)^[8][9][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 dCi

See the 13 models with the 1.9 dCi

D4/D5

See the 14 models with the D4/D5

Other comparisons

With the 1.9 dCi

With the D4/D5

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.

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
Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Volvo D5: 185 CV para el S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista.es · Motoring press · published July 2005 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
Volvo XC90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French