D5 5 cilindros engine: faults and reliability

• 2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)

  2001–2009 · 126–163 hp · D5244T, D5244T2, D5244T5, D5244T7

  With caution

  Owner testimonies for the later versions point to auxiliary belt breakage as a risk to the timing; on a car from this stage it is worth verifying that it has been replaced and when.^[1][2]

• 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)

  2005–2015 · 175–215 hp · D5244T4, D5244T10, D5244T11, D5244T14, D5244T15

  With caution

  This is the stage with the most testimonies: auxiliary belt breakage at 74,000-119,000 km in some XC60 and S60 cars, plus DPF and turbo cases; it can be bought provided you check the belt, the DPF and the maintenance history.^[1][2]

• 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)

  2011–2016 · 136–163 hp · D5204T2, D5204T3, D5204T7

  With caution

  We have found no testimonies or studies specific to this block; since it shares its architecture with the 2.4, the same checks should be applied (auxiliary belt, EGR, DPF).^[2][7]

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. 1Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingAuxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with itOn Volvo's five-cylinder D5, several XC60 and S60 owners report that the auxiliary belt snapped between 74,000 and 119,000 km and damaged the timing, leaving the engine immobilised.
2. 2Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlEGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbonOn the D5 the EGR valve and its cooler accumulate soot, especially with short journeys; cleaning or replacing them costs between €350 and €700 in Spain according to an industry article.Repair (garage): €350–€700
3. 3Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlClogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)The D5's DPF becomes saturated with urban use; the repair is put at between €400 and €1,200 in Spain in an industry article, and the XC60 entry records cases of clogging on the 205 and 215 hp D5.Repair (garage): €400–€1,200
4. 4Medium severityFrequency: RareTurboTurbocharger failureOn the D5 there are isolated cases of turbo failure (at 165,000 and 167,000 km in an S60 and an XC60); an industry article puts the repair at between €700 and €1,400 in Spain.Repair (garage): €700–€1,400

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

Manufacturer

Volvo Cars

Family

Cinco cilindros diésel common rail de Volvo (2,4 y 2,0 litros)

Fuel

Diesel

Displacement

2,400 cm³

Cylinders

5

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Common rail

Timing

Timing belt (dry)

Power

126–215 hp

Production

2001–2015

Makes

Volvo

Technical data^[4][5][6][7]

1. 2001–2009

   2.4 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)

   First stage of Volvo's 2.4-litre five-cylinder diesel: the 163 hp D5 and the 126-130 hp 2.4D variants according to the V70 and S80 engine listing. The 163 hp D5 was the one Volvo improved in 2005.^[4][5][6]

2. 2005–2015

   2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)

   In 2005 the D5 went from 163 to 185 hp with a larger-compressor, electronically controlled turbo, seven-hole injectors instead of five, a third injection (post-injection) and a standard particulate filter. Later came 205 hp (with sequential turbos, 2009-2011) and 215 hp (2012-2015), and the 175-181 hp D4 variant.^[4][5][6][7]

3. 2011–2016

   2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)

   2.0-litre version of the same five-cylinder, sold as the 136-163 hp D3 and the 163 hp D4 in the V70 and V60, before Volvo replaced it with the four-cylinder VEA.^[5][7]