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1.4 HDi vs D5 5 cilindros: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the D5 5 cilindros carries less risk than the 1.4 HDi: 39/100 versus 43/100 (both moderate risk). The 1.4 HDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; the D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

1.4 HDi

43

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

39

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

13 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the 1.4 HDi faults

Is the D5 5 cilindros reliable?

Volvo's five-cylinder D5 (2.4 D3/D4/D5 and 2.0 D3/D4) has no documented systemic fault, but it does carry one serious risk: several owners report that a snapped auxiliary belt took the timing belt with it. The rest is EGR, DPF and the odd turbo.[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 HDi and D5 5 cilindros
1.4 HDiD5 5 cilindros
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,399 cm³2,400 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power54–92 hp126–215 hp
Production2001–2010[1][7][8][9]2001–2015[10][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)43Moderate risk39Moderate risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  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
  1. Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it
  2. Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon
  3. Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure[6]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.4 HDi/TDCi 54/68/70 8V (DV4TD, 2001-2009)[2][3]
  • 1.4 HDi 90/92 16V (DV4TED4, 2002-2009)[2][9]
  • 2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)[4][5]
  • 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)[4][5]
  • 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)[5][13]
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

1.4 HDi

See the 12 models with the 1.4 HDi

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 HDi

With the D5 5 cilindros

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 PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 68 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 70 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilidad Volvo XC60 (2008-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  6. Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Ford Duratorq engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Peugeot DV4TD engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Peugeot DV4TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Volvo D5 de 185 CV para S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista · Motoring press · published 27 July 2005 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  12. Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  13. Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026