1.6 EcoBoost vs BMW B38 / B37: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B38 / B37 carries less risk than the 1.6 EcoBoost: 20/100 (low risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The 1.6 EcoBoost has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked cylinder head from overheating, with fire risk»; the BMW B38 / B37 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «B38 crankshaft thrust bearing failure (units before April 2015)».

Risk index

1.6 EcoBoost

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

BMW B38 / B37

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202617 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 EcoBoost reliable?

It is a turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder that Ford used between 2010 and 2018 as a mid-range step across much of its European line-up, and which Volvo sold under its own T3/T4 designations. Its most serious fault is overheating caused by a loss of coolant circulation that can crack the cylinder head and cause a fire: Ford has recalled cars in South Africa and in the US/Canada, although we have not confirmed an equivalent campaign in Spain.^[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the 1.6 EcoBoost faults

Is the BMW B38 / B37 reliable?

BMW and MINI's three-cylinder B38 (petrol) and B37 (diesel) have no serious, widespread documented fault. The only problem reported in the press is the crankshaft thrust bearing on early B38 units (up to April 2015), corrected by BMW. BMW's EGR campaigns affect four- and six-cylinder diesels, not the B37.^[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the BMW B38 / B37 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 EcoBoost and BMW B38 / B37
Item	1.6 EcoBoost	BMW B38 / B37
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,596 cm³	1,499 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	120–200 hp	75–231 hp
Production	2010–2019^[1][7]	since 2014^[8][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	20Low risk
Documented faults	4	3
Of high or critical severity	3	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Cracked cylinder head from overheating, with fire risk High severity: Coolant loss from hoses, water pump or expansion tank High severity: Premature turbocharger failure	Critical severity: B38 crankshaft thrust bearing failure (units before April 2015) Medium severity: Coolant leaks and water pump or thermostat failure on the B38 Low severity: Carbon build-up on the B38's intake valves and injectors
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	B38 1.5 136-140 hp from April 2015 (B38A15 / B38B15)^[4] B37 1.5 diesel 95-116 hp (B37C15K0 / B37C15U0), up to 2017^[11] B37TÜ1 1.5 diesel 95-116 hp (from late 2017)^[12]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 EcoBoost 120/150/160/182 (Ford, 2010-2019)^[3][13][14] 1.6 EcoBoost ST 182/197/200 (Ford Fiesta ST/ST200, 2013-2017)^[1][15] Volvo T3/T4 1.6 (B4164T3/B4164T/B4164T2, 2010-2018)^[16]	B38 1.2 (B38A12, MINI One)^[9] B38 1.5 136 hp up to April 2015 (B38A15)^[4] B38K15T0 231 hp (BMW i8)^[17]
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

1.6 EcoBoost

See the 11 models with the 1.6 EcoBoost

BMW B38 / B37

See the 16 models with the BMW B38 / B37

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 EcoBoost

With the BMW B38 / B37

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.

Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
The Largest Ford EcoBoost Recalls In 15 Years Of ProductionCarBuzz · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
Ford KugaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW Dreizylinder: Dauertest-Probleme des B38 behoben?BimmerToday · Motoring press · published 5 October 2017 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
2024: BMW recall due to EGR coolers extended againcar-recalls.eu · Motoring press · published 28 March 2024 · consulted 4 October 2026
BMW diésel Europa: llamada a revisión por el EGR y riesgo de incendioDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo S60Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW B38 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
BMW B38 (Wikipedia, alemán)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
BMW B37 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
Project one M: MINI Cooper D F56 fährt eine Million Kilometer in 12 JahrenBimmerToday · Motoring press · published 24 June 2026 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
BMW Baukasten-Diesel: Mehr Infos zur TÜ1 für B47 und B37BimmerToday · Motoring press · published 20 November 2017 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes Ford Mondeo 3Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Ford S-MaxFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Ford Fiesta STWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
BMW i8 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026