D5 5 cilindros vs 1.9 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the D5 5 cilindros carries less risk than the 1.9 TDI: 39/100 (moderate risk) versus 66/100 (high risk). The D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it»; the 1.9 TDI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Big-end bearing failure».

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.9 TDI

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 5 October 202619 sources How we work

Is the D5 5 cilindros reliable?

Volvo's five-cylinder D5 (2.4 D3/D4/D5 and 2.0 D3/D4) has no documented systemic fault, but it does carry one serious risk: several owners report that a snapped auxiliary belt took the timing belt with it. The rest is EGR, DPF and the odd turbo.^[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Is the 1.9 TDI reliable?

It depends a lot on the version. The rotary pump (1996-2003, codes ALH and AGR among others) has a reputation for great durability. The unit injector system (1999-2010) improves performance and emissions, but has more documented faults: dual-mass flywheel, turbo, EGR valve and, above all in the 105 hp version, cases of broken big-end bearings.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]}

See the 6 of the 1.9 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of D5 5 cilindros and 1.9 TDI
Item	D5 5 cilindros	1.9 TDI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,400 cm³	1,896 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	126–215 hp	75–150 hp
Production	2001–2015^{[11][12][13][14]}	1996–2010^{[4][15][16][17][18]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	39Moderate risk	66High risk
Documented faults	4	6
Of high or critical severity	1	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)	Critical severity: Big-end bearing failure High severity: Seized or broken variable-geometry turbo Medium severity: EGR valve clogged with carbon
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure^[3]	up to €1,500Premature wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutchPublished figure^[19]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.9 TDI rotary pump (VP37, 1996-2003)^[5]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)^[1][2] 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)^[1][2] 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)^[2][14]	1.9 TDI high-performance unit injector (101-150 hp, 1999-2003)^[7][19] 1.9 TDI unit injector 75-105 hp (2003-2010)^[6][10]
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

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

1.9 TDI

See the 20 models with the 1.9 TDI

Other comparisons

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With the 1.9 TDI

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Sources

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

Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Volvo XC60 (2008-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
List of discontinued Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Les TDI sont-ils fiables ?fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published 15 December 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Golf Vfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Passat (1996-2004)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Passat (2004-2010)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Škoda Octavia (1997-2004)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Škoda Octavia (2004-2012)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Volvo D5 de 185 CV para S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista · Motoring press · published 27 July 2005 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volkswagen Golf IVWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Volkswagen Golf VWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Volkswagen TouranWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Volkswagen CaddyWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Golf IVfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French