VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD engine: faults and reliability

• 2.8 CRD R 428 (ENR, 110 kW / 150 hp, 2003-2008)

  2003–2008 · 150 hp · R 428, ENR

  With caution

  These are cars of almost two decades or more. We have not found failure data specific to this version in reliable sources, and the wear points the sources cite for the 2.8 (turbo, intercooler, EGR deposits, injectors) are more likely with so many years and kilometres: demand the complete service history, as CarsGuide advises.^[1][11]

• 2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)

  2007–2011 · 163–177 hp · RA 428, ENS

  With caution

  It shares its mechanical base with the other 2.8s: the sources point to wear of the turbo, intercooler, EGR deposits and injection, with no frequency figures. Check the last timing belt change; for the 130 kW Wrangler a German maintenance portal gives 100,000 km.^[1][12]

• 2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)

  2010–2018 · 163–200 hp · A 428

  With caution

  Same base as the previous version: turbo, EGR and injection are the wear points the sources cite. On the 147 kW Wrangler the same German portal sets the belt at 200,000 km or 8 years; check that it is in the history, along with EGR and intake cleaning if the car has done a lot of short journeys.^[1][12]

• 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5 (190 and 239-241 hp, 2011-2013)

  2011–2013 · 190–241 hp · A 630, EXF

  With caution

  AUTO BILD sees no serious weak points in the Grand Cherokee IV and cites many 3.0 CRD examples with more than 200,000 km. A Russian magazine mentions injector or pump failures from 120,000-150,000 km and crankshaft bearing spin mainly in the first batches (a single-source claim): it is worth checking the injection history.^[2][4]

• 3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5+ (190 and 250 hp, 2013-2020)

  2013–2020 · 190–250 hp · A 630, EXF

  With caution

  AUTO BILD sees no serious weak points in the Grand Cherokee IV, but the UK DVSA published a recall in 2025 for the Grand Cherokee 3.0 diesel (built between October 2012 and September 2020) for possible engine stalling: check by chassis number that the software update has been done.^[2][3]

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

1. 1High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsLoss of the crankshaft signal that stalls the engine (Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD)In November 2025 the UK DVSA published a recall for the Grand Cherokee 3.0 diesel (2014-2020, 4,031 units): the engine can lose the crankshaft reference, stall and not restart. It is fixed with software.
2. 2Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalInjectionWear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpThe injectors and common-rail pump of the 2.8 and the 3.0 V6 CRD can wear with the years: the sources place it between 120,000 and 180,000 km and describe it as loss of power or limp mode, not a widespread failure.Repair (garage): €800–€1,400Appears at around 120,000 km
3. 3Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTurboTurbocharger failure and intake hosesThe variable-geometry turbo can wear, get clogged with soot or lose pressure through cracked hoses. CarsGuide cites it on the Wrangler's 2.8 and AUTO BILD as an occasional fault on the Grand Cherokee's 3.0; no source gives figures.
4. 4Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlEGR valve and intake clogged with sootWith short journeys, the EGR valve and intake of the 2.8 and 3.0 CRD accumulate sticky deposits that cause jerking, black smoke and uneven running. It is usually fixed by cleaning; if not, the valve has to be replaced.Repair (garage): €150–€600

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

Manufacturer

VM Motori

Family

VM Motori R 428 / A 630

Fuel

Diesel

Displacement

—

Cylinders

—

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Common rail

Timing

—

Power

150–250 hp

Peak torque

569 Nm

Production

2003–2020

Makes

Jeep, Chrysler, Lancia and Dodge

Technical data^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

1. 2003–2008

   2.8 CRD R 428 (ENR, 110 kW / 150 hp, 2003-2008)

   First version of the four-cylinder 2.8, derived from the 2.5 R 425. It delivered 110 kW (about 150 hp) and 360 N·m in the Cherokee KJ (in Australia from 2003), and reached the Chrysler Voyager RG (MPV with automatic gearbox) in the summer of 2004; Italian Wikipedia places the Cherokee from 2005 and Haynes cites the code ENR for the Voyager from 2000 to 2008.^{[6][10][13][18]}

2. 2007–2011

   2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)

   Evolution with piezo injectors and a variable-geometry turbo with an electric actuator. In the Wrangler JK it produces 177 hp (130 kW) and 400 N·m with the manual gearbox, and in the European Cherokee KK 175 hp; the Chrysler Grand Voyager RT fits it with 163 hp (120 kW), and the Dodge Nitro also used it. The code ENS appears in the timing tools for this engine.^{[6][7][13][16][19]}

3. 2010–2018

   2.8 CRD A 428 Euro 5 (147 kW / 200 hp and 163-178 hp, 2010-2018)

   Euro 5 revision (production from June 2010): 200 hp (147 kW) and 460 N·m at 1,600-2,600 rpm in the Wrangler and Cherokee, with a revised EGR and an intake manifold with flaps. The Lancia Voyager fits it with 120 kW (2011-2013) and 131 kW (2013-2015). The 200 hp Wrangler remained on sale until 2018.^{[5][6][8][20][21]}

4. 2011–2013

   3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5 (190 and 239-241 hp, 2011-2013)

   First series of VM Motori's V6 diesel, developed with Fiat Powertrain and launched in 2011. In the European Lancia Thema and Chrysler 300C it produces 190 hp (440 N·m) or 239 hp (550 N·m); in the Grand Cherokee WK2, 190 or 241 hp (the 241 hp with a five-speed automatic gearbox). It replaced the Mercedes 3.0 V6 (OM642) of the previous generation of the Grand Cherokee and 300C.^{[2][5][6][9][14][15]}

5. 2013–2020

   3.0 V6 CRD A 630 Euro 5+ (190 and 250 hp, 2013-2020)

   2013 revision: 2,000 bar injection, water-cooled turbo and ceramic glow plugs; 250 hp and 570 N·m. In the European Grand Cherokee it comes with the ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox (2013-2020) and a 190 hp version still exists.^[2][6][9]