D5204T (D5204T2/T3/T4/T5/T6/T7) vs T3 VEA (B3154T)
Side-by-side reliability comparison
Higher reliability score
T3 VEA (B3154T)
BUY
84/100
+13 points over D5204T (D5204T2/T3/T4/T5/T6/T7)
0
/ 100
ACCEPTABLE
D5204T (D5204T2/T3/T4/T5/T6/T7)
Volvo
0
/ 100
BUY
T3 VEA (B3154T)
Volvo
Specifications
D5204T (D5204T2/T3/T4/T5/T6/T7)
T3 VEA (B3154T)
Brand
Volvo
Volvo
Verdict
ACCEPTABLE
BUY
Reliability
71
84
Years
2010--2015
2017--present
Displacement
1984 cc
1477 cc
Layout
I5
I3
Type
Diesel
Petrol Turbo
Power
136--177 hp
129--180 hp
Known Issues
7
3
Total Risk Cost
€0--€0
€250--€500
Character
D5204T (D5204T2/T3/T4/T5/T6/T7)
"Volvo's 2.0 five-cylinder diesel, a short-stroke version of the 2.4 D5, sold as D3 and D4 (136-177 hp) in the C30, S40, V50, C70, V40, S60, V60, S80, V70 and XC60 from 2010 until the four-cylinder VEA took over in 2014-2015. Smooth and torquey. Watch the auxiliary-belt tensioner (a failed belt can take out the timing belt), the timing belt at 180,000 km or 10 years, and coolant loss: mechanics report cracked blocks and head gaskets on some engines."
T3 VEA (B3154T)
"Volvo's own 1.5 three-cylinder (GEP3) for the XC40 T2/T3 and the T5 plug-in hybrid. Smooth for a triple thanks to a balancer shaft; cam drive is a dry timing belt, not a chain. No widespread faults reported so far, but it is young and long-term data is thin."
Issues Comparison
D5204T (D5204T2/T3/T4/T5/T6/T7) 7
▲ HIGH
Cracked cylinder block or head gasket failure (some engines)
▲ HIGH
Auxiliary belt tensioner failure - belt can snap and reach the timing belt
● MODERATE
Particulate filter (DPF) regeneration problems
● MODERATE
Injector or rail pressure regulator faults
● MODERATE
Timing belt due at 180,000 km or 10 years
● MODERATE
EGR valve and throttle body sooting
○ MINOR
Boost pressure sensor and other sensor faults
T3 VEA (B3154T) 3
○ MINOR
Dry timing belt — scheduled replacement (not a chain)
○ MINOR
Engine may not restart after auto start-stop (2018-2019, software recall)
○ MINOR
Carbon buildup (3-cyl DI turbo)