2.0 and 2.2 VCDi engine: faults and reliability

• 2.0 VCDi 121–150 hp (VM Motori licence; Z20S in the Captiva, 2006–2011)

  2006–2011 · 121–150 hp · Z20S

  With caution

  Cruze owners and Captiva buying guides cite problems with the particulate filter and the injectors. Without a service history for the DPF and injectors, it is not a recommended purchase without checks.^[1][3][10]

• 2.0 VCDi 130–163 hp (Z20D1, 2011–2014)

  2011–2014 · 130–163 hp · Z20D1

  With caution

  The particulate filter is the most-cited fault on the 163 hp Cruze and Orlando, and injectors also appear on both models. Check both before buying.^[1][2]

• 2.2 VCDi 163–184 hp (Z22D1 / A22DM, Captiva, 2011–2015)

  2011–2015 · 163–184 hp · Z22D1, A22DM

  With caution

  2011–2015 Captiva diesels were subject to a recall over fire risk linked to the particulate filter, and the German buying guide also records early injector failures. Check that the recall work has been done.^[3][4]

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

1. 1Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlSump cover fire risk from DPF fault (2011–2015 Captiva diesel)Yes: a 2015 Safety Gate alert covers 2011 to 2015 Captivas because a malfunctioning particulate filter can overheat the engine's undertray until it catches fire. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de records the same recall from the KBA, which links it to filter regeneration.
2. 2Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlBlocked DPF and failed regenerationsThe particulate filter is the most-cited fault by 2.0 VCDi owners: fiches-auto.fr records around 36 DPF reports out of 218 Cruze reviews and 15 out of 197 Orlando reviews, and gebrauchtwagenberater.de includes it among the weak points of these diesels at high mileage.
3. 3Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjectors failing early from soot build-upChevrolet diesel injectors can fail before their time. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de reports, citing the ADAC, that Captiva injectors often fail early, and fiches-auto.fr counts around 7 injection reports out of 218 Cruze reviews and 11 out of 197 Orlando reviews.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

Manufacturer

General Motors (GM Korea)

Family

VCDi de GM Daewoo / GM Korea: turbodiésel de cuatro cilindros con inyección common rail; el 2.0 inicial se construyó con licencia de VM Motori.

Fuel

Diesel

Displacement

—

Cylinders

4

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Common rail

Timing

Chain

Power

121–184 hp

Production

2006–2015

Makes

Chevrolet

Technical data^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

1. 2006–2011

   2.0 VCDi 121–150 hp (VM Motori licence; Z20S in the Captiva, 2006–2011)

   First series of the 2.0 VCDi, which according to Wikipedia GM Daewoo builds under licence from VM Motori. It is fitted to the Lacetti (121 hp), the Captiva (127 and 150 hp, code Z20S) and the Cruze (125 and 150 hp until 2011). ADAC lists the Captiva's Z20S as timing belt and Euro 4.^{[5][6][7][11][12]}

2. 2011–2014

   2.0 VCDi 130–163 hp (Z20D1, 2011–2014)

   According to English Wikipedia, from 2011 the Cruze's 2.0 VCDi is GM-built (120 kW) instead of the VM Motori-licensed unit. ADAC identifies the Orlando's 163 hp as Z20D1, with a timing chain and Euro 5. The Orlando also offered a 130 hp variant in 2011–2012, whose code we have not confirmed.^{[9][13][14][15]}

3. 2011–2015

   2.2 VCDi 163–184 hp (Z22D1 / A22DM, Captiva, 2011–2015)

   With the 2011 update, the Captiva replaces the 2.0 with a 163 hp 2.2 (two-wheel drive) and a 184 hp version (all-wheel drive). ADAC identifies it as Z22D1, with a timing chain and Euro 5, and a 2016 Safety Gate alert cites the code A22DM in a 2014 Captiva with stop/start.^[5][8][16]

• Timing chain kit

  • Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

• Oil filter

  • Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

• Air filter

  • Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

• Diesel fuel filter

  • Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

• Glow plugs

  • Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)