Skip to content
MotorFiable

1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire vs 2.0 EcoBoost: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire carries less risk than the 2.0 EcoBoost: 20/100 (low risk) versus 38/100 (moderate risk). The 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire has no documented serious faults; the 2.0 EcoBoost has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Coolant entering the cylinders through block cracks».

Risk index

1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire

20

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 EcoBoost

38

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

29 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire reliable?

The 1.2 8v Fire is one of Fiat's simplest and most widespread petrol engines, with more than two decades in production and no serious or systemic faults documented. The sources consulted describe it as robust: its most-cited issues are isolated sensor failures (lambda sensor, crankshaft sensor), the ignition coil and somewhat high oil consumption at higher mileages; there is no pattern of timing belt breakage.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

See the 4 of the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire 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.[7][8][9][10]

See the 3 of the 2.0 EcoBoost faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire and 2.0 EcoBoost
1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire2.0 EcoBoost
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,242 cm³1,999 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power60–69 hp203–250 hp
Productionsince 1985[11][12][13][14]2010–2018[15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)20Low risk38Moderate risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Sensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC)
  2. Low severity: Oil consumption or leak, in one case from the rocker cover gasket
  3. Low severity: Faulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light)
  1. Critical severity: Coolant entering the cylinders through block cracks
  2. Medium severity: Carbon build-up on injectors and intake valves from direct injection
  3. Medium severity: Turbo faults: sensor, pressure solenoid and noise
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.2 8v SMPI 60-65 hp (1999-2009)[1]
  • 1.2 8v VVT 69 hp (2007-2020)[2][3][5][6]
  • 1.0, 1.3 and 1.4 8V Fire flex (Brazil, 2001-2017)[17]
  • 0.8 and 1.0 8V FIRE 34-50 hp (Panda, 1986-1994)[18]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.0 and 1.1 8V FIRE (European Uno, 1985-1994)[19]
  • 1.0 and 1.4 8V Fire Evo flex (Brazil, 2010-2021)[20]
  • 1.1 8V SPI/MPI 50-55 hp (1991-2010)[21][22]
  • 1.2 8V SPI/MPI 60-73 hp (1993-1999)[21]
  • 1.2 16V Fire 80 hp (Fiat Idea, 2004-2010)[23]
  • 1.4 8V Fire 77-78 hp (Fiat Idea, 2005-2011)[23]
  • 1.4 16V 95 hp (Fiat Idea, 2004-2010)[23]
  • 2.0 EcoBoost 203/240 hp (Mondeo IV, S-Max I and Galaxy II, 2010-2014)[7][24]
  • 2.0 EcoBoost 203/240 hp (Mondeo V, S-Max II and Galaxy III, 2014-2018)[7][8][25]
  • 2.0 EcoBoost ST 250 hp (Focus ST, 2012-2018)[24][26][27]
  • 2.0 EcoBoost 242 hp 4x4 (Kuga II, 2017-2018)[7][9]
  • Volvo 2.0T 203 hp and T5 240 hp (B4204T6 and B4204T7, 2010-2013)[15][28]
  • Land Rover and Jaguar Si4 240 hp (Evoque, Freelander 2, Discovery Sport and XF, 2011-2016)[29]
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

Other comparisons

With the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire

With the 2.0 EcoBoost

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. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Panda (2003-2012)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Panda (depuis 2012)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat 500Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Punto (Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiat Panda III (seit 2011) – Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 21 January 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Fiat 500 (ab 2007) – alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 24 November 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. 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
  8. Ford Mondeo: Probleme, Krankheiten und Rückrufe (Mondeo MK5)Gebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  9. Ford Kuga: Probleme, Krankheiten und Kaufberatung (Kuga MK2)Gebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Ford Mondeo (2010 – 2014): engine fire (código Ford 17S09)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published October 2021 · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Fiat FIRE engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Fiat 500 (2007)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Fiat Grande PuntoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Ford KaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  15. Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Ford Focus (third generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  17. Fiat Palio: 10 dicas pra observar na hora de comprar um usadoVrum · Motoring press · published 14 June 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  18. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Panda (1980-2003): témoignages de propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  19. Fiat UnoWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  20. Fiat Uno custa pouco, mas acumula queixas dos donos do hatchAutoo · Motoring press · published 27 June 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  21. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Punto (1993-1999): témoignages de propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  22. Fiat Seicento: typowe usterki (opiniones de propietarios)Autocentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  23. DVSA: base de datos de llamadas a revisión de vehículos desde 1992 (Fiat Idea: R/2007/012)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 2 November 2026
  24. Ford EcoBoost Probleme (2.0 und 2.3)Carwiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  25. Ford Mondeo (tabla de motores del Mondeo V)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  26. Used Ford Focus ST (Mk3, 2012-2019) review and buyer's guideAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  27. Fiabilité et pannes Ford Focus 3 (2011-2018)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  28. Volvo V60 I (2010 – 2018) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  29. Fiabilité et pannes Land Rover Range Rover Evoque (2011-2018)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French