Skip to content
MotorFiable

1.6 EcoBoost vs 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power carries less risk than the 1.6 EcoBoost: 36/100 (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 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Safe mode due to battery controller calibration (loss of propulsion)».

Risk index

1.6 EcoBoost

59

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power

36

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

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 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power reliable?

There is still little reliability data: the three-cylinder 1.5 VC-Turbo only generates electricity and no mechanical faults are known in Europe. The documented weak points are in the e-Power electronics: battery campaigns and isolated cases of immobilisation.[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 EcoBoost and 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power
1.6 EcoBoost1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,596 cm³1,497 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)—
Power120–200 hp190–213 hp
Production2010–2019[1][7]since 2022[8][9][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity33
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: Safe mode due to battery controller calibration (loss of propulsion)
  2. High severity: Fuel line that slips out of its clip and may leak
  3. Medium severity: e-Power warning and limited mode due to incorrect state-of-charge reading
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]
  • 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power 190 hp (Qashqai J12, since 2022)[4][5][6]
  • 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power 204 hp (X-Trail T33, front-wheel drive, since 2022)[4][8]
  • 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power e-4ORCE 213 hp (X-Trail T33, all-wheel drive, since 2022)[8][10]
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

1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 EcoBoost

With the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power

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. Fiabilidad y averías del Nissan Qashqai 3 (2021)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
  5. Nissan Qashqai: richiamo per la batteria del sistema ibridoalVolante · Motoring press · published 4 August 2026 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Italian
  6. Nissanowski SUV z usterką systemu zarządzania akumulatoremAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in another language
  7. Volvo S60Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Nissan X-Trail - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  9. Nissan KR engine - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  10. Nissan X-Trail (T33) - Wikipedia (versión alemana)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
  11. Nissan z novim Qashqaijem uvaja e-Power v EvropiRTV Slovenija · General press · published 19 February 2021 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in another language
  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