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2.0 EcoBoost vs 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the 2.0 EcoBoost: 19/100 (low risk) versus 38/100 (moderate risk). The 2.0 EcoBoost has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Coolant entering the cylinders through block cracks»; the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

2.0 EcoBoost

38

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

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

21 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the 2.0 EcoBoost faults

Is the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II reliable?

The 1.4 and 1.6 16v GM Daewoo E-TEC II (first-generation Lacetti/Optra and Aveo) have a timing belt and, according to the Polish press, a moderate fault record. Documented issues are faulty valves in the first units (2004-2005), lambda sensor faults and a few cases of oil leaks or oil consumption.[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 EcoBoost and 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
2.0 EcoBoost1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,999 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power203–250 hp83–109 hp
Production2010–2018[8][9]2004–2011[10][11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk19Low risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityCritical severityMedium severity
Main faults
  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
  1. Medium severity: Faulty valves and ignition faults in the first units (2004-2005)
  2. Low severity: Lambda sensor faults
  3. Low severity: Oil consumption and oil leaks
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)[7][14]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 EcoBoost 203/240 hp (Mondeo IV, S-Max I and Galaxy II, 2010-2014)[1][15]
  • 2.0 EcoBoost 203/240 hp (Mondeo V, S-Max II and Galaxy III, 2014-2018)[1][2][16]
  • 2.0 EcoBoost ST 250 hp (Focus ST, 2012-2018)[15][17][18]
  • 2.0 EcoBoost 242 hp 4x4 (Kuga II, 2017-2018)[1][3]
  • Volvo 2.0T 203 hp and T5 240 hp (B4204T6 and B4204T7, 2010-2013)[8][19]
  • Land Rover and Jaguar Si4 240 hp (Evoque, Freelander 2, Discovery Sport and XF, 2011-2016)[20]
  • 1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)[5][6][14]
  • 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)[6][14][21]
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

2.0 EcoBoost

See the 17 models with the 2.0 EcoBoost

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 EcoBoost

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

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. 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
  2. Ford Mondeo: Probleme, Krankheiten und Rückrufe (Mondeo MK5)Gebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  3. Ford Kuga: Probleme, Krankheiten und Kaufberatung (Kuga MK2)Gebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  4. Ford Mondeo (2010 – 2014): engine fire (código Ford 17S09)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published October 2021 · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4 16V - Niełatwo zdobyć zaufanieAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 19 November 2007 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  6. Bez fajerwerków - Chevrolet Lacetti (2003-2010)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 7 April 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  7. Czy warto kupić: używany Chevrolet Aveo (od 2002 do 2011)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 5 March 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  8. Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Ford Focus (third generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  15. Ford EcoBoost Probleme (2.0 und 2.3)Carwiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  16. Ford Mondeo (tabla de motores del Mondeo V)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Used Ford Focus ST (Mk3, 2012-2019) review and buyer's guideAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  18. Fiabilité et pannes Ford Focus 3 (2011-2018)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  19. Volvo V60 I (2010 – 2018) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  20. Fiabilité et pannes Land Rover Range Rover Evoque (2011-2018)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  21. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language