D4/D5 vs D5 5 cilindros: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the D5 5 cilindros carries less risk than the D4/D5: 39/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The D4/D5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)»; the D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

D4/D5

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

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

Reviewed on 5 October 202611 sources How we work

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

See the 5 of the D4/D5 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.^[3][5][6]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of D4/D5 and D5 5 cilindros
Item	D4/D5	D5 5 cilindros
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	2,400 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	120–235 hp	126–215 hp
Production	2001–2024^[1][2][7]	2001–2015^{[2][8][9][10]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	64High risk	39Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder) High severity: High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA) Medium severity: Clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure^[6]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.4/2.0 D3/D4/D5 5-cylinder (D5244T/D5204, 2001-2016)^[3][5] 2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)^[3][4][11]	2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)^[3][5] 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)^[3][5] 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)^[3][10]
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

D4/D5

See the 14 models with the D4/D5

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

With the D4/D5

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.

Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Volvo D5: 185 CV para el S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista.es · Motoring press · published July 2005 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo XC90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French