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2.0 TDI vs VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD carries less risk than the 2.0 TDI: 32/100 versus 48/100 (both moderate risk). The 2.0 TDI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI»; the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Loss of the crankshaft signal that stalls the engine (Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD)».

Risk index

2.0 TDI

48

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

32

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

28 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

See the 8 of the 2.0 TDI faults

Is the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD reliable?

The VM Motori 2.8 CRD (four-cylinder) and 3.0 CRD V6 diesels from Jeep, Chrysler and Lancia show no systemic fault in open sources: they describe injector wear, a dirty EGR and a high-mileage turbo, and AUTO BILD says durability complaints about the 3.0 are very rare. The UK DVSA identifies only one engine campaign for the 3.0 (2025).[7][8][9][10]

See the 4 of the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 TDI and VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
2.0 TDIVM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,968 cm³—
TimingTiming belt (dry)—
Power84–240 hp150–250 hp
Productionsince 2003[1][11][12][13][14]2003–2020[15][16][17][18][19][20]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults84
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI
  2. Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update
  3. High severity: High-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189
  1. High severity: Loss of the crankshaft signal that stalls the engine (Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD)
  2. Medium severity: Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pump
  3. Medium severity: Turbocharger failure and intake hoses
Most expensive documented repairup to €3,000Clogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorPublished figure[3][21][22]up to €1,400Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpPublished figure[23][24]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 2.0 TDI EA288 (from 2012)[5]
  • 2.0 TDI EA288 evo (from 2019)[6]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 TDI pumpe-düse unit injector (EA188, 2003-2010)[4][25]
  • 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)[3][26][27]
  • 2.8 CRD R 428 (ENR, 110 kW / 150 hp, 2003-2008)[7][23]
  • 2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)[7][28]
  • 2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)[7][28]
  • 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5 (190 and 239-241 hp, 2011-2013)[8][10]
  • 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5+ (190 and 250 hp, 2013-2020)[8][9]
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

2.0 TDI

See the 48 models with the 2.0 TDI

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

See the 10 models with the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 TDI

With the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

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. VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. 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
  3. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. Audi A6 III (2004-2011) : la fiche express fiabilité de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 4 July 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  5. 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
  6. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Volkswagen Golf VIII : du genre agaçanteCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 5 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  7. Jeep Wrangler 2.8 Diesel ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · published 11 December 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Jeep Grand Cherokee IV: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 11 April 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  9. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  10. Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 con kilometraje: se puede comprar, pero con maticesZa Rulyom (zr.ru) · Motoring press · published 28 April 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in another language
  11. VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  12. VW EA188Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  13. List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. 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
  15. VM MotoriWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  16. VM MotoriWikipedia (it) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Italian
  17. Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sport (2007-2008): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.8 CRD Mountain Aut. (2012): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  20. First drive: oil burner adds to Cherokee rangeGoAuto · Motoring press · published 11 March 2003 · consulted 8 October 2026
  21. Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  22. Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 17 January 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Problemas Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  24. Problemas Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  25. VW/Audi 2.0 TDI PD EA188 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability, Oil, InfoMotorReviewer · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  26. Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  27. Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026
  28. Zahnriemenwechsel Jeep Wranglerrepareo.de · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German