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1.0 EcoBoost vs 1.3 TCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3 TCe carries less risk than the 1.0 EcoBoost: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 71/100 (high risk). The 1.0 EcoBoost has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Degradation of the timing belt running in oil»; the 1.3 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault».

Risk index

1.0 EcoBoost

71

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.3 TCe

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

17 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.0 EcoBoost reliable?

It is a turbocharged direct-injection three-cylinder that has won Engine of the Year several times, but it has two very well-documented weak points: two belts running in oil (timing and oil pump) that can disintegrate and seize the engine, and cases of coolant leaks and overheating in early units. It is best bought with a service history and the belts checked or replaced on time.[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the 1.0 EcoBoost faults

Is the 1.3 TCe reliable?

The 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T (H5Ht at Renault and Dacia, HR13DDT at Nissan, M282 at Mercedes-Benz), developed with Daimler since 2018, has a clearly better record than its predecessor, the 1.2 TCe: no oil consumption or chain problems have been documented. It had manufacturing defects that have since been corrected (injectors, calibration, turbo, timing) and, on the Captur II and Clio V, a fuel pump fuse failure with no confirmed official fix.[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.3 TCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 EcoBoost and 1.3 TCe
1.0 EcoBoost1.3 TCe
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement999 cm³1,332 cm³
TimingWet belt (belt-in-oil)Chain
Power100–155 hp109–163 hp
Productionsince 2012[1][8][9][10]since 2018[7][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)71High risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Degradation of the timing belt running in oil
  2. Critical severity: Oil pump belt and tensioner failure
  3. Critical severity: Coolant leaks and overheating from the turbo hose
  1. High severity: Turbo actuator (wastegate) fault
  2. High severity: Blown fuel pump fuse
  3. Medium severity: Unstable idle, juddering and stalling caused by the injectors
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200Degradation of the timing belt running in oilPublished figure[2]up to €700Turbo actuator (wastegate) faultPublished figure[5][6]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 and Mild Hybrid (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, corrected production from 2020)[5]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.0 EcoBoost 100/125 (Fox, 2012-2017)[2][3][14]
  • 1.0 EcoBoost 100/125/140 with cylinder deactivation (from ~2017)[15][16]
  • 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid 48V mild hybrid (125/155 hp, from 2019)[1][17]
  • 1.3 TCe / 1.3 DIG-T 109-163 (H5Ht / HR13DDT / M282, first series 2018-2020)[5]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.0 EcoBoost

See the 12 models with the 1.0 EcoBoost

1.3 TCe

See the 18 models with the 1.3 TCe

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 EcoBoost

With the 1.3 TCe

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.

  1. Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  2. Alerta Ford: la correa de distribución del 1.0 EcoBoost puede romper el motor y la NHTSA ya investigaMotor16 · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Los Ford 1.0 EcoBoost tricilíndricos están dando problemas de correas bañadas que recuerdan al caso PureTechMotor.es · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Gripa el motor por problema en el manguito se queda sin refrigeranteOpinautos · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Renault-Dacia. Quel bilan fiabilité pour le moteur 1.3 TCe ?L'argus · Motoring press · published 5 April 2021 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité moteur 1.3 TCeAuto Platinium · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Prueba: Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost 100 CV (2013)km77 · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Ford Mondeo Berlina Trend 1.0 EcoBoost 92 kW (125 CV) (2015-2018): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Ford B-MAX Trend 1.0 EcoBoost 100 CV (2012-2018): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Mercedes-Benz M282 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Renault Scenic Zen TCe 103 kW (140 CV) GPF (2020-2021): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?Carbuyer · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026
  15. Ford's Self-Clogging 1.0-Liter EcoBoost Engine Is Finally Getting RecalledThe Drive · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026
  16. The Largest Ford EcoBoost Recalls In 15 Years Of ProductionCarBuzz · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026
  17. Stellantis no es el único afectado por la correa de distribución bañada en aceiteAutofácil · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish