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1.7 CRDi engine (D4FD): faults and reliability

Hyundai/Kia 1.7 CRDi (familia U, código U2 D4FD) · Hyundai and Kia

The 1.7 CRDi (U2 D4FD, 2010-2018) is a reasonably reliable diesel if it is properly maintained, with one specific documented problem in cold weather: power loss and stalling caused by the turbo actuator, the diesel filter and the glow plugs. It also suffers the emissions-system wear (EGR, DPF) typical of its generation, injectors that can lose calibration and, in a particular mileage range, high-pressure pump failures.[1][2][3]

Risk index
38
Moderate risk · what it is
Documented faults
5
2 of high or critical severity
Timing
Chain
Technical data[1][4][5][6]
Production
2010–2018
10 models on this site

18 sourcesHow we work

Which 1.7 CRDi versions should you buy?

Our verdict for each version, based on the documented faults.

  • 1.7 CRDi U2 (D4FD, 115-141 hp, sold in Spain 2010-2018)

    2010–2018 · 115–141 hp · D4FD

    With caution

    An engine with no documented catastrophic failure, but with a specific and persistent cold-weather problem (turbo, diesel filter, glow plugs) and the emissions-system (EGR, DPF) and injection (injectors, high-pressure pump) wear usual in a common rail diesel of its generation; it is worth checking the maintenance history for these items, especially if the car is used in winter or on short urban journeys.[2][3]

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.

Known faults of the 1.7 CRDi

Sorted from most to least important (severity × frequency).

  1. 1High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjectors that lose calibration with mileageThe 1.7 CRDi's common rail injectors can lose their factory calibration with mileage or because of poor-quality diesel, causing vibration at idle and black smoke from the exhaust; the unburned fuel that ends up diluting the oil also means oil change intervals need to be shortened.Repair (garage): €80–€350
  2. 2High severityFrequency: OccasionalFuelHigh-pressure fuel pump failureThe common rail system's high-pressure pump can fail at around 80,000-100,000 km, with hard cold starts, an uneven idle and power loss; if ignored, there is a risk of metal debris contaminating the rest of the injection system.Repair (garage): €650–€2,000Appears at around 80,000 km
  3. 3Medium severityFrequency: CommonTurboSeized turbo actuator (VGT) and power loss when coldIn cold weather (below 10-15 °C), the 1.7 CRDi can suddenly lose power and even stall; the engine restarts after a few seconds. A documented fault that combines the turbo's variable-geometry actuator with the diesel filter and the glow plugs.Repair (garage): €150–€1,200
  4. 4Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve clogged with carbon depositsAs in most diesels of its generation, the 1.7 CRDi's EGR valve builds up carbon deposits with urban use and short cold journeys, which causes power loss and an uneven idle and can switch on the engine or emissions warning light.Repair (garage): €60–€350
  5. 5Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlParticulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban useIn cars used mainly on short urban journeys (under 15-20 km), the 1.7 CRDi's particulate filter never completes its regeneration cycle and becomes saturated with soot; according to the source consulted, it is the most common problem of this engine in the Hyundai ix35.Repair (garage): €250–€1,200

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

By part

Compare each fault with the same part on other engines: symptoms, cost and affected models.

Symptoms of these faults

What the 1.7 CRDi is

The 1.7 CRDi is a four-cylinder in-line diesel of 1,685 cc with twin overhead camshafts and 16 valves, developed by Hyundai within the U family (code U2 D4FD) and unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. It uses common rail injection, a variable-geometry turbo (VGT) and a timing chain; depending on the version it produces between 115 and 141 hp, with maximum torque of up to 340 Nm between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm.[1]

It was fitted across a broad range of Hyundai models (ix35, Tucson III, i40) and Kia models (Sportage III and IV, fourth-generation Carens, Optima), normally as the entry-level or mid-range diesel alongside a more powerful 2.0 CRDi available in the same models.[1][7][8]

It should not be confused with the 1.6 CRDi (codes D4FB and, from 2018, Smartstream D4FE) that Hyundai/Kia fit in more compact models (i30, Ceed, Tucson III also with this option, Kona, Venga...): these are different, smaller-capacity engines which, in several models (such as the Tucson III itself), were offered alongside the 1.7 CRDi as a cheaper alternative. content/engines/1-6-crdi.json documents that engine with its own fault history.[1]

The technical data sheets we consulted put the end of 1.7 CRDi sales at around September-October 2018 in both the Hyundai Tucson III and the Kia Sportage IV, coinciding with the production end date given for this engine; in those same models, the 1.6 CRDi gradually filled the gap.[5][6]

Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor Group (Hyundai y Kia)
Family
U (U2 D4FD)
Fuel
Diesel
Displacement
1,685 cm³
Cylinders
4
Fuel system
Turbo
Injection
Common rail
Timing
Chain
Power
115–141 hp
Peak torque
340 Nm
Production
2010–2018
Makes
Hyundai and Kia

Technical data[1][4][5][6]

What changed between versions

  1. 2010–2018

    1.7 CRDi U2 (D4FD, 115-141 hp, sold in Spain 2010-2018)

    Engine with a variable-geometry turbo, common rail injection and a timing chain from its launch in 2010. The output of the higher-power variant went from 136 hp (documented in 2012) to 141 hp (documented from 2015-2016) according to the data sheets we consulted, while the entry-level variant stayed at 115 hp throughout its commercial life; the sources consulted do not say what specific technical change prompted that power adjustment.[1][5][9][10]

Cars fitted with the 1.7 CRDi

10 models sold in Europe. Open each one to see all their faults and the buying checklist.

Hyundai

Kia

Compare the 1.7 CRDi

Maintenance parts for the 1.7 CRDi

The parts replaced at services and when the timing belt or chain is changed, searched for this engine. Confirm the part number with the registration plate or VIN.

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Sources

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

  1. Hyundai U engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Kia Sportage 1.7 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Hyundai iX35 1.7 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Kia Sportage - Timing Belt or Timing Chain?cochesconcadena.com · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Hyundai Tucson 2015 | Precios, datos y equipamientoskm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. KIA Sportage 2016 | Precios, datos y equipamientoskm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Hyundai ix35Wikipedia (de.wikipedia.org) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Kia SportageWikipedia (de.wikipedia.org) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Kia Optima 1.7 CRDi Emotion Eco-Dynamics a prueba (II). Dinámica y motorDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 28 June 2012 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. KIA Carens 2013 | Precios, datos y equipamientoskm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Hyundai ix35 2010 | Precios, datos y equipamientoskm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Hyundai ix35 2013 | Precios, datos y equipamientoskm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Hyundai i40 Sedán 2012 | Precios, datos y equipamientoskm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. KIA Sportage 2010 | Precios, datos y equipamientoskm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi: el Sportage más interesante, a pruebaAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 16 June 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Kia OptimaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  17. Hyundai i40 (tabla «Technische Daten» y sección «Modellpflege»)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  18. Kia Carens (tablas de motores por generación)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German