Fiat Qubo vs Ford Transit: which is more reliable?
According to the MotorFiable Score, the Ford Transit (4.9/10) has fewer serious documented faults than the Fiat Qubo (4.7/10), mainly because of their engines.
| Item | Fiat Qubo | Ford Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Van and combi | Van and combi |
| Years | 2008–2019 | 2014–today |
| MotorFiable Score | 4.7 out of 10 | 4.9 out of 10 |
| Engine score | 3.6/10 | 4.1/10 |
| Most recommended engine | Dualogic gearbox · With caution | 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue · With caution |
| Score for the rest of the car | 5.9/10 | 5.7/10 |
| Suspension | 7.6 out of 100 faults | 6.4 out of 103 faultsCritical severity |
| Brakes | 7.7 out of 101 faultCritical severity | 7.6 out of 100 faults |
| Gearbox and clutch | 7.1 out of 102 faults | 7.1 out of 101 faultCritical severity |
| Electrical system | No documented faults | 7.1 out of 101 faultCritical severity |
| Airbags and safety | 6.1 out of 102 faultsCritical severity | 7.1 out of 101 faultCritical severity |
Scores out of 10: the higher, the fewer serious documented faults. How we calculate them
Main faults of the Fiat Qubo
Outside the engine
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyIncorrect airbag ignition chemical mixture on cars built in late 2016In May 2017 a recall of Fiat Qubos built between September and November 2016 was notified in the EU alert system (Safety Gate): the proportion of the airbag's ignition chemicals was incorrect and, in a crash, could prevent it from deploying. It is repaired at a Fiat workshop.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesBrake servo vacuum pipe connector that may break (2012 Qubo)Fiat recalled Qubos built between June and September 2012 because a brake servo pipe connector could fail and cause a loss of vacuum assistance, meaning more effort on the pedal. The campaign (DVSA R/2012/139) is resolved by fitting a new pipe.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyPassenger airbag that may reactivate after being switched off from the menu (July 2014 Qubo)In 2015 Fiat recalled (in the United Kingdom) Qubos and Fiorinos built in July 2014: after the passenger airbag was switched off from the dashboard menu, a quick turn (under 2 seconds) of the ignition key could reactivate it. The fix was to replace the airbag control unit.
In their engines
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.3 MultijetTiming chain stretch and tensioner failureYes: the timing chain's hydraulic tensioner can lose pressure and let the chain slacken; if it skips teeth or breaks, it can destroy the engine. It is a documented problem on Fiat, Opel, Suzuki and Ford cars with this engine, mainly linked to long oil change intervals.Repair (garage): €350–€550Appears at around 70,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Common1.3 MultijetIncomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilutionIn heavy urban use, with short journeys that do not let the particulate filter regeneration finish, unburnt diesel passes into the sump and dilutes the oil; the level can rise on the dipstick and the oil loses its ability to lubricate. Repeated many times, it speeds up engine wear.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 MultijetSeized variable-geometry turboOn versions with a variable-geometry turbo, the vanes can seize through soot build-up, especially on cars used in town for short journeys. The engine loses power gradually and may give off black smoke when accelerating.Repair (garage): €450–€700
Main faults of the Ford Transit
Outside the engine
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionLower suspension arms with missing, partial or insufficiently penetrating weldsTwo 2020 recalls (20S47 and 20S53) affect the Transit's lower suspension arms: in units built from October 2019 to July 2020, welds may be missing or partial, and in units built from June to September 2020 the weld penetration on the left-hand arm does not meet the specification. There is a risk of breakage and an accident.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionInsufficient rear axle lubrication causing rear wheel bearing failureRecall 24S57 covers Transits built between 26 September 2023 and 29 April 2024: the rear axle may not be lubricated enough, which causes the wheel bearings to malfunction and can lock the rear wheels, with a loss of control.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchRear propshaft bearing support without the intended bushesRecall 20S70 covers Transits built from 24 September 2019 to 25 August 2020: the rear propshaft bearing support may have been fitted without the intended bushes, so the shaft could come loose and touch the ground.
In their engines
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlueDegradation of the wet timing belt (2.0 EcoBlue)Yes: the 2.0 EcoBlue debuted a timing belt that runs bathed in oil on Ford's diesels. Over the years it can degrade and shed debris that affects the lubrication circuit, with a risk of seizure. A roundup by Autopista.es places it in the Focus, Kuga, Transit and Transit/Tourneo Custom.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlueWet oil pump belt (2.0 EcoBlue)In addition to the timing belt, the 2.0 EcoBlue drives the oil pump with a second belt that also runs bathed in oil. If it degrades or breaks, the engine suddenly loses lubrication pressure, with the same risk of seizure as the timing belt.
- Medium severityFrequency: Rare1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlueEmissions system warnings (AdBlue/EGR) and injector wearOn the Ford Focus IV and Kuga III, generations that now only use EcoBlue, some owners report, occasionally (not in the majority), AdBlue system warnings or injector failures. It is a small sample, and we have not found that Ford has announced a campaign of its own for the EcoBlue for this reason.