D4/D5 vs 1.4 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 TDI carries less risk than the D4/D5: 38/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The D4/D5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)»; the 1.4 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

D4/D5

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.4 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202614 sources How we work

Is the D4/D5 reliable?

The Volvo D5/D4 covers two different engines: the classic 5-cylinder (2001-2016, D5244T/D5204) and the 4-cylinder VEA (D4204T, from 2013). On the former, several owners document the auxiliary belt breaking and taking the timing belt with it, destroying the engine; on the VEA the most common problems are the EGR, the DPF and oil consumption that can damage the turbo from 90,000-150,000 km. Neither is an engine to buy without checking its service history.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 6 of the D4/D5 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 D4/D5 and 1.4 TDI
Item	D4/D5	1.4 TDI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,422 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	120–235 hp	69–90 hp
Production	2001–2024^[1][2][8]	1999–2019^[6][7]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	38Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	4
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder) High severity: High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA) Medium severity: Clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake	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	No reliable data	up to €2,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[9]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.4 TDI common rail EA288 (2014-2019)^[5][6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.4/2.0 D3/D4/D5 5-cylinder (D5244T/D5204, 2001-2016)^[3][10] 2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)^[3][4][11]	1.4 TDI unit injector, 3 cylinders (1999-2010)^[12][13][14]
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

D4/D5

See the 14 models with the D4/D5

1.4 TDI

See the 10 models with the 1.4 TDI

Other comparisons

With the D4/D5

With the 1.4 TDI

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.

Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Volvo D5: 185 CV para el S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista.es · Motoring press · published July 2005 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
Volvo XC90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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