2.3 dCi (M9T) vs VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD: which engine is more reliable?

The 2.3 dCi (M9T) and the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD tie on our risk index: 32/100 (moderate risk). The 2.3 dCi (M9T) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo»; 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

2.3 dCi (M9T)

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

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 8 October 202619 sources How we work

Is the 2.3 dCi (M9T) reliable?

The 2.3 dCi M9T is a van diesel with good durability if maintenance is kept up. The weak points cited are the EGR and the turbo, the injectors, and the particulate filter in urban use; the sources are mostly opinion websites.^[1][2]

See the 5 of the 2.3 dCi (M9T) 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).^[3][4][5][6]

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

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.3 dCi (M9T) and VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Item	2.3 dCi (M9T)	VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,300 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	—
Power	100–180 hp	150–250 hp
Production	since 2010^[1][2][7]	2003–2020^{[8][9][10][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	32Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo Medium severity: Faulty injectors on the 2.3 dCi Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban use	High severity: Loss of the crankshaft signal that stalls the engine (Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD) Medium severity: Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pump Medium severity: Turbocharger failure and intake hoses
Most expensive documented repair	up to €2,300Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turboPublished figure^[1][14]	up to €1,400Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpPublished figure^[15][16]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T)^[2] 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T)^[2]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo)^[2] 2.3 dCi in the Navara D23 (NP300)^[17]	2.8 CRD R 428 (ENR, 110 kW / 150 hp, 2003-2008)^[3][15] 2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)^[3][18] 2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)^[3][18] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5 (190 and 239-241 hp, 2011-2013)^[4][6] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5+ (190 and 250 hp, 2013-2020)^[4][5] 3.0 V6 Diesel A 630 HP Maserati (250 and 275 hp, 2013–2020)^[4][19]
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

2.3 dCi (M9T)

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 2.3 dCi (M9T)

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.

Renault Master III 2.3 dCi 130: fiabilité, pannes et coûtsCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Master 2.3 dCiCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Jeep Wrangler 2.8 Diesel ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · published 11 December 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026
Jeep Grand Cherokee IV: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 11 April 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
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
Renault Master (tercera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
VM MotoriWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
VM MotoriWikipedia (it) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Italian
Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sport (2007-2008): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.8 CRD Mountain Aut. (2012): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
First drive: oil burner adds to Cherokee rangeGoAuto · Motoring press · published 11 March 2003 · consulted 8 October 2026
Fiabilité du Renault Master RT 2.3 dCi: analyse complèteCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Problemas Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Nissan Navara wymaga zmian systemu oczyszczania spalinAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 23 August 2023 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in another language
Zahnriemenwechsel Jeep Wranglerrepareo.de · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Problemas Maserati Ghibli DiéselTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026 · in Spanish