2.0 HDi vs 2.0 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 TDI carries less risk than the 2.0 HDi: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 55/100 (high risk). The 2.0 HDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging)»; the 2.0 TDI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI».

Risk index

2.0 HDi

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 TDI

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202624 sources How we work

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.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 2.0 HDi faults

Is the 2.0 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The EA189 (2008-2015) is the dieselgate engine: it needed a software update and has a record of EGR, particulate filter, turbo and injection faults. The earlier pumpe-düse (unit injector) engine has oil pump failures, and on the EA288 and EA288 evo (from 2012) the known faults are minor: coolant leaks and the odd AdBlue tank.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

See the 8 of the 2.0 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 HDi and 2.0 TDI
Item	2.0 HDi	2.0 TDI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,997 cm³	1,968 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	90–180 hp	84–240 hp
Production	1999–2021^{[1][11][12][13][14]}	since 2003^{[5][15][16][17][18]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	55High risk	48Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	8
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	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)	Critical severity: Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update High severity: High-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200AdBlue tank crystallisation and failures (BlueHDi)Published figure^[3][4][19]	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorPublished figure^[7][20][21]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.0 HDi 90 (DW10TD, 1999-2005)^[1] 2.0 HDi 150/163 DPF (DW10C / DW10CTED4, 2007-2013)^[1]	2.0 TDI EA288 (from 2012)^[9] 2.0 TDI EA288 evo (from 2019)^[10]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 HDi 107/110 (DW10ATED / DW10ATED4, 2000-2008)^[1] 2.0 HDi 136/138/140 DPF (DW10BTED4, 2004-2011)^[1] 2.0 BlueHDi 120/150/163/180 (DW10FE / DW10FD / DW10FC, 2013-2021)^[1][2][3][4]	2.0 TDI pumpe-düse unit injector (EA188, 2003-2010)^[8][22] 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)^[7][23][24]
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

2.0 HDi

See the 19 models with the 2.0 HDi

2.0 TDI

See the 48 models with the 2.0 TDI

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 HDi

With the 2.0 TDI

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Sources

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

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
VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Un Volkswagen Tiguan en occasion : les meilleures versions par budget, et la fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Audi A6 III (2004-2011) : la fiche express fiabilité de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 4 July 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité de l'Audi A3 (3e génération) : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 December 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Volkswagen Golf VIII : du genre agaçanteCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 5 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
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
VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
VW EA188Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Three world premieres: Volkswagen presents progressive hybrid, natural gas and diesel systems at the Vienna Motor SymposiumVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 27 April 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
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
Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 17 January 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
VW/Audi 2.0 TDI PD EA188 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability, Oil, InfoMotorReviewer · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026