VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD vs 1.4 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD carries less risk than the 1.4 TDI: 32/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). 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)»; the 1.4 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.4 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 8 October 202620 sources How we work

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).^[1][2][3][4]

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

Is the 1.4 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The unit-injector one (1999-2010) calls for watching the timing belt - which also drives the unit injector pumps - the water pump, the turbo and the EGR, with a DPF only on the last BlueMotion/Ecomotive versions. The later EA288 (2014-2019) is not singled out by dieselgate, which according to the sources consulted was limited to the EA189, but it shares the need to watch the belt, turbo, EGR and DPF.^[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 1.4 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD and 1.4 TDI
Item	VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD	1.4 TDI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,422 cm³
Timing	—	Timing belt (dry)
Power	150–250 hp	69–90 hp
Production	2003–2020^{[8][9][10][11][12][13]}	1999–2019^[6][7]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	32Moderate risk	38Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	1	2
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	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	High severity: Timing belt and water pump High severity: Failing turbo: loss of power, whistling or smoke Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,400Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpPublished figure^[14][15]	up to €2,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[16]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.4 TDI common rail EA288 (2014-2019)^[5][6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.8 CRD R 428 (ENR, 110 kW / 150 hp, 2003-2008)^[1][14] 2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)^[1][17] 2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)^[1][17] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5 (190 and 239-241 hp, 2011-2013)^[2][4] 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5+ (190 and 250 hp, 2013-2020)^[2][3]	1.4 TDI unit injector, 3 cylinders (1999-2010)^[18][19][20]
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

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

See the 10 models with the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

1.4 TDI

See the 10 models with the 1.4 TDI

Other comparisons

With the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

With the 1.4 TDI

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Sources

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

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
Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
List of discontinued Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 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
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
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Zahnriemenwechsel Jeep Wranglerrepareo.de · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra la correa de distribuciónMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Cuánto cuesta válvula EGRDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Cómo saber si el turbo está roto o a punto de romperseMotor.es · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish