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1.6 CRDi vs 1.4 HDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 HDi carries less risk than the 1.6 CRDi: 43/100 (moderate risk) versus 70/100 (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 1.4 HDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

1.6 CRDi

70

High risk · 4 serious faults

Risk index

1.4 HDi

43

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

17 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 1.4 HDi reliable?

It is a small diesel that is generally reliable, but with a very well-documented weakness: the injectors tend to lose their seal over time and let diesel escape. The turbo and the EGR valve also fail on a noticeable minority of units, and there are isolated cases of the crankshaft damper pulley failing at very high mileages. The timing belt does not seem to cause more problems than on any diesel of its era if it is changed on time.[4][5][6]

See the 5 of the 1.4 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CRDi and 1.4 HDi
1.6 CRDi1.4 HDi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,582 cm³1,399 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power90–136 hp54–92 hp
Productionsince 2009[1][7][8][9]2001–2010[4][10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)70High risk43Moderate risk
Documented faults65
Of high or critical severity41
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. Medium severity: Injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape
  2. High severity: Timing belt and water pump
  3. Medium severity: Premature turbo wear from poor lubrication
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,800Particulate filter (DPF) blocked in urban usePublished figure[13]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi U3 (D4FE, 115-136 hp, without mild hybrid, from 2018)[2][14]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 CRDi U2 (D4FB, 90-136 hp, sold in Spain from 2010 to ~2018)[1][15][16]
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi 48V mild hybrid (D4FE MHEV, 136 hp, from ~2019)[3][17]
  • 1.4 HDi/TDCi 54/68/70 8V (DV4TD, 2001-2009)[5][6]
  • 1.4 HDi 90/92 16V (DV4TED4, 2002-2009)[5][12]
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

1.4 HDi

See the 12 models with the 1.4 HDi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CRDi

With the 1.4 HDi

Compare other engines

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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. Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 68 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 70 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Hyundai U engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  8. Hyundai Smartstream engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. 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
  10. Ford Duratorq engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Peugeot DV4TD engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Peugeot DV4TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Kia Ceed 1.6 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Kia Ceed im TÜV-Check 2026: Schwachstellen, Mängel und ProblemeAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  15. Kia and Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB) engineEngineDNA · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  16. Best Hyundai Kia 1.6 CRDI Mods & Upgrades Guide to D4FB TuningTorqueCars · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  17. KIA SPORTAGE 2023 - vehicle recallsGOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026