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VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD vs 2.5 TDI R5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD carries less risk than the 2.5 TDI R5: 32/100 versus 45/100 (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 2.5 TDI R5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders».

Risk index

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

32

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

2.5 TDI R5

45

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

19 sourcesHow 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 2.5 TDI R5 reliable?

The 2.5 TDI R5 in the T5 and the Touareg has a poor reputation: camshaft wear, pump injectors and cylinder coating. The later series were more reliable. It is not Audi's V6 TDI.[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 2.5 TDI R5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD and 2.5 TDI R5
VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD2.5 TDI R5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement—2,461 cm³
Timing—Timing belt (dry)
Power150–250 hp88–174 hp
Production2003–2020[8][9][10][11][12][13]2003–2011[14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)32Moderate risk45Moderate risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  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
  1. Critical severity: Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders
  2. High severity: Camshaft and hydraulic tappet wear
  3. Medium severity: Leaks and play in the unit injectors
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,400Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpPublished figure[17][18]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.8 CRD R 428 (ENR, 110 kW / 150 hp, 2003-2008)[1][17]
  • 2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)[1][19]
  • 2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)[1][19]
  • 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]
  • 2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp with DPF (BNZ, BPC, 2006-2009)[5]
  • 2.5 TDI common rail Crafter (88 to 163 hp, 2006-2011)[16]
AvoidVersions to avoidNone
  • 2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp (AXD, AXE, 2003-2006)[5]

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

2.5 TDI R5

Other comparisons

With the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

With the 2.5 TDI R5

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. Jeep Wrangler 2.8 Diesel ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · published 11 December 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026
  2. Jeep Grand Cherokee IV: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 11 April 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  3. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. 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
  5. VW T5 4Motion Gebrauchtwagen-TestAuto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  6. Kaufberatung gebrauchter VW T5 (2003-2015)Promobil · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  7. Ratgeber Technik: Fehler VW T5Auto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  8. VM MotoriWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  9. VM MotoriWikipedia (it) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Italian
  10. Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sport (2007-2008): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.8 CRD Mountain Aut. (2012): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  13. First drive: oil burner adds to Cherokee rangeGoAuto · Motoring press · published 11 March 2003 · consulted 8 October 2026
  14. VW T5Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  15. VW Touareg IWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  16. Volkswagen CrafterWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  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. Zahnriemenwechsel Jeep Wranglerrepareo.de · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German