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1.6 EcoBoost vs M50 and M52: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the M50 and M52 carries less risk than the 1.6 EcoBoost: 52/100 versus 59/100 (both high risk). The 1.6 EcoBoost has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked cylinder head from overheating, with fire risk»; the M50 and M52 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cooling system failure (expansion tank, thermostat, pump and radiator)».

Risk index

1.6 EcoBoost

59

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

M50 and M52

52

High 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

18 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 M50 and M52 reliable?

The M52 and its predecessor the M50 are six-cylinder petrol engines that the sources describe as durable: Enginescope considers 300,000 km routine with the cooling circuit looked after. Watch the plastic cooling parts, VANOS, crankcase ventilation and oil leaks and, in the aluminium-block M52s built from 1995 to March 1998, cylinder wear caused by sulphur (Nikasil).[4][5][6]

See the 5 of the M50 and M52 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 EcoBoost and M50 and M52
1.6 EcoBoostM50 and M52
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,596 cm³—
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power120–200 hp150–193 hp
Production2010–2019[1][7]1990–2001[8][9][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk52High risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityCritical severityCritical 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: Cooling system failure (expansion tank, thermostat, pump and radiator)
  2. Critical severity: Premature cylinder wear (Nikasil coating)
  3. Medium severity: Worn VANOS seals
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 EcoBoost 120/150/160/182 (Ford, 2010-2019)[3][12][13]
  • 1.6 EcoBoost ST 182/197/200 (Ford Fiesta ST/ST200, 2013-2017)[1][14]
  • Volvo T3/T4 1.6 (B4164T3/B4164T/B4164T2, 2010-2018)[15]
  • M50B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1990-1995)[16][17]
  • M50B25, 2.5 litre (192 hp; 1990-1995)[16][17]
  • M52B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1994-1999)[9][16]
  • M52B25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1995-1999)[9][16]
  • M52B28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1995-1999)[9][16][18]
  • M52TUB20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1998-2001)[8][16]
  • M52TUB25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1998-2000)[8][16]
  • M52TUB28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1998-2001)[6][8][16]
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

M50 and M52

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 EcoBoost

With the M50 and M52

Compare other engines

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.

  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. BMW 3 Series E36 320i (M52B20): reliabilityEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. BMW M52 reliabilityAutoscore · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. BMW M52 Engine: Performance, Reliability, and TuningBMWBlog · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Volvo S60Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. BMW M52Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. BMW M52Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. BMW M50Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. BMW M50Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Fiabilité et pannes Ford Mondeo 3Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Fiabilité et pannes Ford S-MaxFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Ford Fiesta STWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  15. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. BMW M50 / M52: problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  17. Der BMW M50 Motor: Technische Daten, Probleme, Haltbarkeit & FahrzeuglisteCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  18. BMW Z3 Reliability Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before BuyingEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026