1.6 EcoBoost vs 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI carries less risk than the 1.6 EcoBoost: 7/100 (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 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.6 EcoBoost

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

Low risk · 0 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 30 October 202619 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 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI reliable?

MG/SAIC's "1.5" covers two different engines: the naturally aspirated VTi-TECH (106 hp), the entry-level engine in the MG ZS, and the turbocharged T-GDI (162-170 hp), found only in the MG HS and as the petrol engine in its plug-in hybrids. Neither has well-documented engine faults in independent sources yet: the complaints published concern electronics, the automatic gearbox and finish, not the engine block.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9]}

See the 2 of the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 EcoBoost and 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
Item	1.6 EcoBoost	1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,596 cm³	—
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	120–200 hp	106–170 hp
Production	2010–2019^[1][10]	since 2017^{[4][5][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	7Low risk
Documented faults	4	2
Of high or critical severity	3	0
Worst severity	Critical severity	Low 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	Low severity: Jerky or harsh automatic gearbox shifts when cold or at low speed (MG HS) Low severity: Electronic warnings and occasional sensor faults (MG HS)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.5 VTi-TECH naturally aspirated 106 hp (NSE / NSE Plus, from 2017)^[7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 EcoBoost 120/150/160/182 (Ford, 2010-2019)^[3][14][15] 1.6 EcoBoost ST 182/197/200 (Ford Fiesta ST/ST200, 2013-2017)^[1][16] Volvo T3/T4 1.6 (B4164T3/B4164T/B4164T2, 2010-2018)^[17]	1.5 T-GDI turbo 162 hp (GS61H, 2018-2024)^{[8][9][18][19]} 1.5 T-GDI turbo 170 hp (15FDE / 15FKE, from 2024)^[5]
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

1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 EcoBoost

With the 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI

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
MG ZS (crossover)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
MG HSWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Essai complet : MG ZSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du MG ZSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du MG eHSFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
MG HS PHEV: guía definitiva de problemas y soluciones del SUV, el híbrido enchufable más vendidoAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 10 November 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo S60Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
MG HSWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
MG HSWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
List of General Motors enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
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
MG – Common problems (llamadas a revisión de la UE y del Reino Unido)car-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
MG HS SUV (2019-2024) Exclusive 1.5T-GDI 5d: opinión de propietario (10 jun 2022)Parkers · Owners' forum · published 10 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026