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1.6 CRDi vs 2.0 HDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 HDi carries less risk than the 1.6 CRDi: 55/100 versus 70/100 (both high risk). The 1.6 CRDi has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «MHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid)»; the 2.0 HDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging)».

Risk index

1.6 CRDi

70

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 HDi

55

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

20 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 CRDi reliable?

The U2 D4FB (2009-2018) is a generally robust diesel if well maintained, with known turbo failures in the early units and timing chain problems from 120,000-150,000 km. Its successor, the Smartstream (U3 D4FE, from 2018), has a good reputation, except in the 48V mild hybrid version, which has a belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley fault that can destroy the engine.[1][2][3]

See the 6 of the 1.6 CRDi faults

Is the 2.0 HDi reliable?

It is a robust diesel in its simplest 90 hp version, but the 136 to 140 hp generation with a DPF (2004-2011) concentrates the engine's problems: turbo, DPF, EGR and, above all, a dual-mass flywheel that fails very often. The BlueHDi engines (from 2013) are mechanically more reliable, but add an AdBlue tank that can crystallise; the OCU (Spanish consumer organisation) has reported this fault in Spain and Stellantis covers it with a compensation programme.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 2.0 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CRDi and 2.0 HDi
1.6 CRDi2.0 HDi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,582 cm³1,997 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power90–136 hp90–180 hp
Productionsince 2009[1][8][9][10]1999–2021[4][11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)70High risk55High risk
Documented faults65
Of high or critical severity42
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: MHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid)
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch
  3. High severity: Premature variable-geometry turbo (VGT) failure
  1. High severity: Variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging)
  2. High severity: DPF clogging on additive-type systems (Eolys/cerine)
  3. Medium severity: Premature dual-mass flywheel wear (from 107/110 hp)
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,800Particulate filter (DPF) blocked in urban usePublished figure[15]up to €1,200AdBlue tank crystallisation and failures (BlueHDi)Published figure[6][7][16]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi U3 (D4FE, 115-136 hp, without mild hybrid, from 2018)[2][17]
  • 2.0 HDi 90 (DW10TD, 1999-2005)[4]
  • 2.0 HDi 150/163 DPF (DW10C / DW10CTED4, 2007-2013)[4]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 CRDi U2 (D4FB, 90-136 hp, sold in Spain from 2010 to ~2018)[1][18][19]
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi 48V mild hybrid (D4FE MHEV, 136 hp, from ~2019)[3][20]
  • 2.0 HDi 107/110 (DW10ATED / DW10ATED4, 2000-2008)[4]
  • 2.0 HDi 136/138/140 DPF (DW10BTED4, 2004-2011)[4]
  • 2.0 BlueHDi 120/150/163/180 (DW10FE / DW10FD / DW10FC, 2013-2021)[4][5][6][7]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.6 CRDi

See the 16 models with the 1.6 CRDi

2.0 HDi

See the 19 models with the 2.0 HDi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CRDi

With the 2.0 HDi

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. Motor Kia y Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB): ficha tecnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Kia Ceed III: Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. Kia / Hyundai 1.6 CRDi MHEV Engine FailuresDOHC (especialista en reconstrucción de motores) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  4. Fiabilité du 2.0 HDIFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. AdBlue : problèmes en pagailleFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Más problemas para Stellantis: ahora tendrá que indemnizar también a los afectados por el AdBlueAutopista · Motoring press · published 30 December 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. El fallo que afecta a cientos de coches y que ahora la OCU denuncia para reclamar indemnizacionesAutopista · Motoring press · published 29 May 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Hyundai U engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. Hyundai Smartstream engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. Hyundai i30 Kombi 1.6 CRDi 48V-Mildhybrid Trend (10/20-01/22): Technische Daten, Bilder, PreiseADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Peugeot 307Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Peugeot 3008Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Citroën C4 PicassoWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Kia Ceed 1.6 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Aditivo AdBlue: qué debes usar para evitar una reparación de 2.000 euros en tu coche diéselAutopista · Motoring press · published 1 April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Kia Ceed im TÜV-Check 2026: Schwachstellen, Mängel und ProblemeAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  18. Kia and Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB) engineEngineDNA · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  19. Best Hyundai Kia 1.6 CRDI Mods & Upgrades Guide to D4FB TuningTorqueCars · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  20. KIA SPORTAGE 2023 - vehicle recallsGOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026