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1.9 D / dTi 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 1.9 D / dTi: 32/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (high risk). The 1.9 D / dTi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Damaged cylinder head and head gasket (naturally aspirated 1.9 D)»; 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

1.9 D / dTi

52

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

32

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

23 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.9 D / dTi reliable?

Renault's 1.9 D, 1.9 TD and 1.9 dTi diesels (F8Q, F8Qt and F9Q with an injection pump) have a reputation for longevity, but owner reviews repeat three weak points: the injection pump and cylinder head gasket on the naturally aspirated 1.9 D, and the auxiliary belt, EGR and turbo on the dTi. The common-rail 1.9 dCi is a different engine.[1][2][3][4]

See the 7 of the 1.9 D / dTi 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).[5][6][7][8]

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

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.9 D / dTi and VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
1.9 D / dTiVM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,870 cm³—
TimingTiming belt (dry)—
Power55–100 hp150–250 hp
Production1988–2006[1][9][10]2003–2020[11][12][13][14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)52High risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults74
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Damaged cylinder head and head gasket (naturally aspirated 1.9 D)
  2. Critical severity: Brake servo vacuum pump: oil suction and loss of assistance
  3. High severity: Auxiliary and timing belt: breakage that can destroy the engine
  1. High severity: Loss of the crankshaft signal that stalls the engine (Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD)
  2. Medium severity: Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pump
  3. Medium severity: Turbocharger failure and intake hoses
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €1,400Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpPublished figure[17][18]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.9 D 55/65 hp (F8Q, naturally aspirated indirect injection, 1988-2006)[2][3][4][19]
  • 1.9 TD/dT 90-95 hp (F8Qt, turbo with indirect injection, 1991-2001)[1][4]
  • 1.9 dTi 80-100 hp (F9Q with mechanical pump, direct injection and turbo, 1997-2002)[4][19][20][21]
  • 2.8 CRD R 428 (ENR, 110 kW / 150 hp, 2003-2008)[5][17]
  • 2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)[5][22]
  • 2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)[5][22]
  • 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5 (190 and 239-241 hp, 2011-2013)[6][8]
  • 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5+ (190 and 250 hp, 2013-2020)[6][7]
  • 3.0 V6 Diesel A 630 HP Maserati (250 and 275 hp, 2013–2020)[6][23]
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

1.9 D / dTi

See the 8 models with the 1.9 D / dTi

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

See the 13 models with the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

Other comparisons

With the 1.9 D / dTi

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.

  1. Moteur F (Renault)Wikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  2. Renault Clio IIWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Renault Clio 2 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Renault Mégane 1 (1995-2002) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  5. Jeep Wrangler 2.8 Diesel ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · published 11 December 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. Jeep Grand Cherokee IV: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 11 April 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  7. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. 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
  9. Renault F-Type engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. VM MotoriWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  12. VM MotoriWikipedia (it) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Italian
  13. Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sport (2007-2008): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.8 CRD Mountain Aut. (2012): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  16. First drive: oil burner adds to Cherokee rangeGoAuto · Motoring press · published 11 March 2003 · consulted 8 October 2026
  17. Problemas Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Problemas Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Fiabilité Renault Kangoo (1997-2007) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  20. Fiabilité Renault Scénic 1 (1996-2003) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  21. Fiabilité Renault Laguna 1 (1994-2001) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  22. Zahnriemenwechsel Jeep Wranglerrepareo.de · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  23. Problemas Maserati Ghibli DiéselTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in Spanish