BMW B38 / B37 vs 2.0 EcoBoost: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B38 / B37 carries less risk than the 2.0 EcoBoost: 20/100 (low risk) versus 38/100 (moderate risk). The BMW B38 / B37 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «B38 crankshaft thrust bearing failure (units before April 2015)»; the 2.0 EcoBoost has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Coolant entering the cylinders through block cracks».

Risk index

BMW B38 / B37

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 EcoBoost

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202621 sources How we work

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.^[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the BMW B38 / B37 faults

Is the 2.0 EcoBoost reliable?

This is the direct-injection turbo 2.0 that Ford fitted from 2010 to the Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy, Kuga and Focus ST, and that Volvo, Land Rover and Jaguar also used. Its most serious weak point is cracks in the block that let coolant into the cylinders (a Ford bulletin in North America; cited for the Mondeo and Kuga); we have not found a European recall.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 2.0 EcoBoost faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B38 / B37 and 2.0 EcoBoost
Item	BMW B38 / B37	2.0 EcoBoost
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,499 cm³	1,999 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	75–231 hp	203–250 hp
Production	since 2014^[8][9][10]	2010–2018^[11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	20Low risk	38Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	3
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	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	Critical severity: Coolant entering the cylinders through block cracks Medium severity: Carbon build-up on injectors and intake valves from direct injection Medium severity: Turbo faults: sensor, pressure solenoid and noise
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	B38 1.5 136-140 hp from April 2015 (B38A15 / B38B15)^[1] B37 1.5 diesel 95-116 hp (B37C15K0 / B37C15U0), up to 2017^[13] B37TÜ1 1.5 diesel 95-116 hp (from late 2017)^[14]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	B38 1.2 (B38A12, MINI One)^[9] B38 1.5 136 hp up to April 2015 (B38A15)^[1] B38K15T0 231 hp (BMW i8)^[15]	2.0 EcoBoost 203/240 hp (Mondeo IV, S-Max I and Galaxy II, 2010-2014)^[4][16] 2.0 EcoBoost 203/240 hp (Mondeo V, S-Max II and Galaxy III, 2014-2018)^[4][5][17] 2.0 EcoBoost ST 250 hp (Focus ST, 2012-2018)^[16][18][19] 2.0 EcoBoost 242 hp 4x4 (Kuga II, 2017-2018)^[4][6] Volvo 2.0T 203 hp and T5 240 hp (B4204T6 and B4204T7, 2010-2013)^[11][20] Land Rover and Jaguar Si4 240 hp (Evoque, Freelander 2, Discovery Sport and XF, 2011-2016)^[21]
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

BMW B38 / B37

See the 17 models with the BMW B38 / B37

2.0 EcoBoost

See the 17 models with the 2.0 EcoBoost

Other comparisons

With the BMW B38 / B37

With the 2.0 EcoBoost

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

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
TSB 19-2346: 2.0L EcoBoost - Coolant In Cylinders, White Exhaust Smoke And/Or Illuminated MILFord Motor Company · Manufacturer · published 19 December 2019 · consulted 2 November 2026
Ford Mondeo: Probleme, Krankheiten und Rückrufe (Mondeo MK5)Gebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Ford Kuga: Probleme, Krankheiten und Kaufberatung (Kuga MK2)Gebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Ford Mondeo (2010 – 2014): engine fire (código Ford 17S09)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published October 2021 · consulted 2 November 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
Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Ford Focus (third generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 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
BMW i8 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
Ford EcoBoost Probleme (2.0 und 2.3)Carwiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Ford Mondeo (tabla de motores del Mondeo V)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
Used Ford Focus ST (Mk3, 2012-2019) review and buyer's guideAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Ford Focus 3 (2011-2018)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Volvo V60 I (2010 – 2018) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes Land Rover Range Rover Evoque (2011-2018)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French