2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 vs D5 5 cilindros: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the D5 5 cilindros carries less risk than the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6: 39/100 versus 46/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «3.0 dCi V6 overheating and expansion tank failures»; the D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

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 30 October 202613 sources How we work

Is the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 reliable?

Renault's big 2000s diesels, the 2.2 dCi (G9T) and the 3.0 V6 dCi (P9X), have a poor reputation among owners: big-end bearing failures are cited on the 2.2 and overheating on the V6. The sources are mainly forums and the press that reports them, with no official statistics.^[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 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.^[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6 and D5 5 cilindros
Item	2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6	D5 5 cilindros
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,188 cm³	2,400 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	115–180 hp	126–215 hp
Production	2001–2009^[7][8]	2001–2015^{[9][10][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	46Moderate risk	39Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	4
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: 3.0 dCi V6 overheating and expansion tank failures Critical severity: Big-end bearing failure in the 2.2 dCi (G9T) Medium severity: Blocked EGR valve and turbo and injector faults on the 2.2 dCi (G9T)	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^[6]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.2 dCi 115-150 (G9T)^[2][3] 3.0 dCi V6 180 (P9X)^[1][13]	2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)^[4][5] 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)^[4][5] 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)^[5][12]
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

2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

With the 2.2 dCi and 3.0 dCi V6

With the D5 5 cilindros

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Sources

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

Renault Espace et Vel Satis : le 3.0 V6 dCi surchauffeL'argus · Motoring press · published 22 June 2010 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Laguna II : remplacement préventif coussinet de bielle 2.2 dCiPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Avantime : casse moteur 2.2 dCiPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 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
Renault G-Type engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Renault Vel SatisWikipedia (fr) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
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
Vel Satis I : ma Vel Satis 3.0 dCi Initiale a des problèmesPlanèteRenault (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French