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1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC vs D4/D5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC carries less risk than the D4/D5: 54/100 versus 64/100 (both high risk). The 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger failure»; the D4/D5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)».

Risk index

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

54

High risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

D4/D5

64

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

14 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC reliable?

The i-DTEC is Honda's diesel family from 2008, with two four-cylinder blocks: the 2.2 (Accord, CR-V) and, from 2013, the 1.6 (Civic, CR-V, HR-V). It uses a timing chain instead of a belt and common-rail injection. The basic architecture has a good reputation for longevity, but the emissions system (DPF and EGR) and the turbocharger account for most of the faults documented by owners themselves.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC faults

Is the D4/D5 reliable?

The Volvo D5/D4 covers two different engines: the classic 5-cylinder (2001-2016, D5244T/D5204) and the 4-cylinder VEA (D4204T, from 2013). On the former, several owners document the auxiliary belt breaking and taking the timing belt with it, destroying the engine; on the VEA the most common problems are the EGR, the DPF and oil consumption that can damage the turbo from 90,000-150,000 km. Neither is an engine to buy without checking its service history.[5][6][7][8]

See the 6 of the D4/D5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC and D4/D5
1.6 / 2.2 i-DTECD4/D5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power120–180 hp120–235 hp
Production2008–2020[1][9][10]2001–2024[5][6][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk64High risk
Documented faults56
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Turbocharger failure
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage at high mileage
  3. Critical severity: Diesel injector wear or failure
  1. Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)
  2. High severity: High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA)
  3. Medium severity: Clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 120 (N16A1, single turbo, from 2013)[2][12]
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 160 (N16A4, twin turbo, CR-V)[3]
  • 2.2 i-DTEC 180 Type S (N22B2, from 2010)[1]
  • 2.4/2.0 D3/D4/D5 5-cylinder (D5244T/D5204, 2001-2016)[7][13]
  • 2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)[7][8][14]
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 / 2.2 i-DTEC

D4/D5

See the 14 models with the D4/D5

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

With the D4/D5

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. Honda N engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2012-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2007-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Volvo D5: 185 CV para el S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista.es · Motoring press · published July 2005 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Honda HR-VWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Avis et fiabilité Honda Accord (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Volvo XC90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2017-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French