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1.6 EcoBoost vs BMW B58: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B58 carries less risk than the 1.6 EcoBoost: 38/100 (moderate 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 B58 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing».

Risk index

1.6 EcoBoost

59

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

BMW B58

38

Moderate 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

15 sourcesHow 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 B58 reliable?

The B58 (3.0 turbo straight-six, since 2015) is considered robust and less troublesome than the N54/N55 it replaced, and the sources do not document widespread internal failures. The known faults are on the periphery: the plastic oil filter housing, crankcase ventilation, gaskets and coolant. On units built before 2021 there are also US reports of an oil pump with a plastic housing.[4][5][6][7]

See the 6 of the BMW B58 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 EcoBoost and BMW B58
1.6 EcoBoostBMW B58
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,596 cm³2,998 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power120–200 hp290–441 hp
Production2010–2019[1][8]since 2015[9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk38Moderate risk
Documented faults46
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Cracked cylinder head from overheating, with fire risk
  2. High severity: Coolant loss from hoses, water pump or expansion tank
  3. High severity: Premature turbocharger failure
  1. High severity: Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing
  2. Medium severity: Oil and coolant leak from the plastic oil filter housing
  3. Medium severity: Failure of the crankcase ventilation PCV valve (integrated in the valve cover)
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • B58TU2 381 hp (B58B30M2, since 2022)[5][6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 EcoBoost 120/150/160/182 (Ford, 2010-2019)[3][11][12]
  • 1.6 EcoBoost ST 182/197/200 (Ford Fiesta ST/ST200, 2013-2017)[1][13]
  • Volvo T3/T4 1.6 (B4164T3/B4164T/B4164T2, 2010-2018)[14]
  • B58 326 hp (B58B30M0, 2015-2019)[5][6][15]
  • B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)[5][6][15]
  • B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)[5][6]
  • B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)[6]
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

1.6 EcoBoost

See the 11 models with the 1.6 EcoBoost

BMW B58

See the 16 models with the BMW B58

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 EcoBoost

With the BMW B58

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 27 September 2026
  2. The Largest Ford EcoBoost Recalls In 15 Years Of ProductionCarBuzz · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. Ford KugaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. The 5 Most Common BMW B58 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · published 7 February 2020 · consulted 9 October 2026
  5. BMW B58 EngineFCP Euro · Technical documentation · consulted 9 October 2026
  6. The Popular BMW B58 Inline-Six Engine Has One Big Achilles HeelThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 14 June 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026
  7. ¿En qué se diferencian los motores B58 y S58 de BMW?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 27 April 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Volvo S60Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  10. BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  11. Fiabilité et pannes Ford Mondeo 3Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Fiabilité et pannes Ford S-MaxFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Ford Fiesta STWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. How A Plastic Part On BMW's B58 Engine Can Turn An Oil Change Into A $3,000 RepairThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 28 March 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026