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

According to our risk index, the 1.6 dCi carries less risk than the 2.0 HDi: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 55/100 (high risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; 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 dCi

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 HDi

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202619 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 dCi reliable?

The 1.6 dCi (R9M) is a diesel with a generally reasonable track record, but with well-documented known faults: the turbo fails relatively often, even at low mileage, the EGR valve clogs, the particulate filter can block up on short journeys, and there are cases of oil leaks from the timing chain cover that go as far as requiring the engine to be removed.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 dCi 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.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 2.0 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and 2.0 HDi
Item	1.6 dCi	2.0 HDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,997 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	95–165 hp	90–180 hp
Production	2011–2020^{[2][9][10][11][12]}	1999–2021^{[5][13][14][15][16]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	48Moderate risk	55High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or breakage High severity: Oil leak from the timing chain cover Medium severity: Blocked or failed EGR valve	High severity: Variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging) High severity: DPF clogging on additive-type systems (Eolys/cerine) Medium severity: Premature dual-mass flywheel wear (from 107/110 hp)
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure^[17]	up to €1,200AdBlue tank crystallisation and failures (BlueHDi)Published figure^[7][8][18]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 dCi in Mercedes-Benz (OM 622/OM 626, 115 and 136 hp, 2014-2018)^[10]	2.0 HDi 90 (DW10TD, 1999-2005)^[5] 2.0 HDi 150/163 DPF (DW10C / DW10CTED4, 2007-2013)^[5]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 dCi Euro 5 (110 and 130 hp, 2011-2015)^[1][2] 1.6 Energy dCi Euro 6 with NOx trap (130 and 160/165 hp, 2015-2019)^{[1][2][3][4][19]} 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)^[12]	2.0 HDi 107/110 (DW10ATED / DW10ATED4, 2000-2008)^[5] 2.0 HDi 136/138/140 DPF (DW10BTED4, 2004-2011)^[5] 2.0 BlueHDi 120/150/163/180 (DW10FE / DW10FD / DW10FC, 2013-2021)^[5][6][7][8]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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 dCi

See the 15 models with the 1.6 dCi

2.0 HDi

See the 19 models with the 2.0 HDi

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the 2.0 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.

Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité du 2.0 HDIFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
AdBlue : problèmes en pagailleFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
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
Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot 307Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Peugeot 3008Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Citroën C4 PicassoWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
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
Si no hubo fraude, ¿por qué 15.000 Renault Captur y Espace serán revisados por un nivel de emisiones excesivo?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 19 January 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish