Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi engine: faults and reliability

• 2.5 TD twin-turbo 163 hp (4JK1, European D-Max 2012-2017)

  2012–2017 · 163 hp · 4JK1

  With caution

  Farmers Weekly considers it generally reliable, except for diesel that can reach the oil through diesel particulate filter regenerations, and warns of bearings on the large turbo. The DVSA also recalled D-Maxes in 2017 for the camshaft gear.^[2][4]

• 1.9 Ddi 163 hp (RZ4E, European D-Max from 2017)

  since 2017 · 163 hp · RZ4E

  Buy

  Auto Express speaks of an enviable reliability reputation for the D-Max, and the sources consulted do not record faults specific to the 1.9 beyond the 2017 camshaft gear campaign, whose engine the DVSA does not specify.^[1][4]

• 2.5 and 3.0 TD (4JK1 and 4JJ1, Latin American Chevrolet D-Max 2012-2020)

  2012–2020 · 4JK1, 4JJ1

  With caution

  Australian sources point to soot in the EGR and a clogged particulate filter with short journeys on the D-Max; we have found no reliability data for these engines in Latin America.^[3][8]

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: OccasionalTimingBroken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign)Yes, but limited: in 2017 the DVSA recalled 1,102 British D-Maxes because poor heat treatment of the camshaft gears could break their teeth and stop the engine suddenly. The campaign replaces the camshaft and the timing gear.
2. 2High severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlDiesel in the oil and clogged particulate filter on short journeysYes: on the 2.5 twin-turbo D-Max, particulate filter regenerations can let diesel into the oil, especially on short journeys, and Farmers Weekly says Isuzu made modifications that made it far less frequent. Other sources confirm that the filter clogs with urban use.
3. 3Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlEGR valve blocked by sootTwo Australian sources describe sticky soot blocking the EGR valve and the intake manifold of the D-Max, with the engine warning light, hard starting, loss of power and rough idle. CarsGuide links the P0661 code to the intake swirl valve or to the EGR.

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

Manufacturer

Isuzu

Family

Isuzu 4J / RZ4E

Fuel

Diesel

Displacement

—

Cylinders

4

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Common rail

Timing

Gears

Power

117–177 hp

Peak torque

400 Nm

Production

since 2012

Makes

Isuzu and Chevrolet

Technical data^[4][5][6][7]

1. 2012–2017

   2.5 TD twin-turbo 163 hp (4JK1, European D-Max 2012-2017)

   2.5-litre diesel with two turbos, one small and one large, which the ADAC lists at 120 kW (163 hp) between September 2012 and May 2017. Farmers Weekly gives 400 Nm and says all British D-Maxes had this engine.^[2][5][6]

2. 2012–2020

   2.5 and 3.0 TD (4JK1 and 4JJ1, Latin American Chevrolet D-Max 2012-2020)

   2.5 and 3.0-litre versions that, according to Wikipedia, were offered in Latin America as the Chevrolet D-Max (Luv D-Max in Ecuador and Colombia, assembled by GM in Quito). The English entry gives the 3.0 4JJ1-TCX 132 kW (177 hp) and 380 Nm, without specifying markets.^[5][9]

3. since 2017

   1.9 Ddi 163 hp (RZ4E, European D-Max from 2017)

   1.9-litre diesel that from May 2017 replaced the 2.5 in the European D-Max, with 120 kW (163 hp) and Euro 6 without AdBlue. The ADAC lists it from May 2017 to November 2020 in the D-Max II and from November 2020 to November 2024 in the III.^{[7][9][10][11]}

• 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)