1.0 PureTech vs 2.3 EcoBoost: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 EcoBoost carries less risk than the 1.0 PureTech: 41/100 (moderate risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The 1.0 PureTech has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings»; the 2.3 EcoBoost has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Focus RS cylinder head gasket and block: coolant entering the cylinders».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.3 EcoBoost

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202616 sources How we work

Is the 1.0 PureTech reliable?

It is a simple naturally aspirated three-cylinder, but with two documented weak points: oil consumption through the piston rings, which Stellantis acknowledges across its entire production (2012-2016), and the oil-bath timing belt it shares with the 1.2. It is only recommended with a full service history, a consumption test and a checked belt.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the 1.0 PureTech faults

Is the 2.3 EcoBoost reliable?

The 2.3 EcoBoost is the turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that Ford has fitted since 2015 to the Focus RS (350 hp), the fourth-generation Focus ST (280 hp) and the Ranger. Its documented fault is the cylinder head gasket on Focus RS cars built up to July 2017, which Ford repaired free of charge. We have found no evidence that it affects the ST, which uses a variant derived from the Mustang.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the 2.3 EcoBoost faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and 2.3 EcoBoost
Item	1.0 PureTech	2.3 EcoBoost
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	2,261 cm³
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Chain
Power	68 hp	270–350 hp
Production	2012–2016^{[2][3][9][10]}	since 2015^{[5][8][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	41Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	3
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings Critical severity: Degradation of the oil-bath timing belt Low severity: Ignition coil and spark plug failure	Critical severity: Focus RS cylinder head gasket and block: coolant entering the cylinders High severity: Engine wiring harness damaged by the gearbox housing (fourth-generation Focus) Medium severity: Oil leaks from the filler cap, the oil cooler and the sump
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure^[13][14]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	2.3 EcoBoost 280 hp (Focus ST, 2019-2025)^[8][15]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.0 VTi / PureTech 68 (EB0, 2012-2016)^{[1][2][4][13]}	2.3 EcoBoost 350 hp (Focus RS, 2016-2018)^[6][7] 2.3 EcoBoost 270 hp (Ranger T6.2, Mexico, from 2023)^[12] 2.3 EcoBoost PHEV 281 hp (Ranger plug-in hybrid, from 2025)^[12][16]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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 PureTech

2.3 EcoBoost

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the 2.3 EcoBoost

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Citroën, DS, Opel, Peugeot 1.2 PureTech. Nouvelle prise en charge pour la consommation d'huileL'argus · Motoring press · published 30 March 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Moteur EBWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
PSA inaugure son « trois-pattes »L'argus · Motoring press · published 28 December 2011 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Moteurs PureTech - Stellantis prend a minima ses responsabilitésUFC-Que Choisir · Consumer association · published 18 January 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Ford Focus RS (Mk3) | PH Used Buying GuidePistonHeads · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
Ford Focus RS engine problems: owners promised free repairsevo · Motoring press · published 23 January 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026
Ford Focus ST (Mk4) | PH Used Buying GuidePistonHeads · Motoring press · published 19 November 2023 · consulted 2 November 2026
Peugeot 208 5p Access 1.0 PureTech 68 (2012-2015): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Prueba de consumo (126): Peugeot 208 1.0-VTi 68 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 5 August 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Ford Focus RS (tabla del Focus RS Mk3, 2015-2018)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Ford Ranger (T6)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
1.2 PureTech: precio y cambio de correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 2 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor ZMZ EB0 Citroën Peugeot C3 II 208 I 1.0 VTi 68 CV usado y reconstruidoFair Motors · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Used Ford Focus ST (Mk4, 2019 to date) review and buyer's guideevo · Motoring press · published 4 August 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026
Ford Ranger (tabla del Ranger Plug-in-Hybrid)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German