D5 5 cilindros vs 2.5 TDI R5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the D5 5 cilindros carries less risk than the 2.5 TDI R5: 39/100 versus 45/100 (both moderate risk). The D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it»; the 2.5 TDI R5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders».

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

2.5 TDI R5

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 5 October 202613 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 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.^[4][5][6]

See the 5 of the 2.5 TDI R5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of D5 5 cilindros and 2.5 TDI R5
Item	D5 5 cilindros	2.5 TDI R5
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,400 cm³	2,461 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	126–215 hp	88–174 hp
Production	2001–2015^{[7][8][9][10]}	2003–2011^[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	39Moderate risk	45Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	5
Of high or critical severity	1	2
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: Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders High severity: Camshaft and hydraulic tappet wear Medium severity: Leaks and play in the unit injectors
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure^[3]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
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][10]	2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp with DPF (BNZ, BPC, 2006-2009)^[4] 2.5 TDI common rail Crafter (88 to 163 hp, 2006-2011)^[13]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp (AXD, AXE, 2003-2006)^[4]

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

2.5 TDI R5

Other comparisons

With the D5 5 cilindros

With the 2.5 TDI R5

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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
VW T5 4Motion Gebrauchtwagen-TestAuto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Kaufberatung gebrauchter VW T5 (2003-2015)Promobil · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Ratgeber Technik: Fehler VW T5Auto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
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
VW T5Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
VW Touareg IWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Volkswagen CrafterWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish