2.0 EcoBoost vs 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 EcoBoost carries less risk than the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: 38/100 (moderate risk) versus 50/100 (high risk). The 2.0 EcoBoost has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Coolant entering the cylinders through block cracks»; the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT».

Risk index

2.0 EcoBoost

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202628 sources How 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 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 reliable?

Eight-valve petrol engines, simple, with a timing belt. For the European 1.0 and 1.4, sources only record isolated incidents, mainly ignition faults in damp weather on the 1.4. In Brazil, the 2008-2010 1.0 VHT of the Gol, Voyage and Fox suffered lubrication-related noise, an oil campaign with extended warranty and a software recall in 2009.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 EcoBoost and 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
Item	2.0 EcoBoost	1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,999 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	203–250 hp	50–104 hp
Production	2010–2018^[9][10]	1991–2022^{[11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	50High risk
Documented faults	3	4
Of high or critical severity	1	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	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	High severity: Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT Critical severity: Hard cold starting and software update for the 2009-2010 1.0 Medium severity: Thermostat, housing and water pump of the cooling circuit
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.0 8v 50 hp (AER, ALD, ALL, ANV, AUC; 1996-2005)^[15][16]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 EcoBoost 203/240 hp (Mondeo IV, S-Max I and Galaxy II, 2010-2014)^[1][17] 2.0 EcoBoost 203/240 hp (Mondeo V, S-Max II and Galaxy III, 2014-2018)^[1][2][18] 2.0 EcoBoost ST 250 hp (Focus ST, 2012-2018)^[17][19][20] 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)^[9][21] Land Rover and Jaguar Si4 240 hp (Evoque, Freelander 2, Discovery Sport and XF, 2011-2016)^[22]	1.4 8v 55-60 hp (ABD, AKP, AEX, AKV, APQ, ANX, ANW; 1991-2005)^[7][8] 1.0 8v Mi and Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 1997-2008)^{[5][23][24][25]} 1.0 8v VHT flex (EA-111, 2008-2022)^{[5][23][26][27]} 1.6 8v Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 2003-2022)^[23][28]
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

2.0 EcoBoost

See the 17 models with the 2.0 EcoBoost

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

See the 9 models with the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 EcoBoost

With the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

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Sources

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

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
A VW e o problema dos motores 1.0Motorshow · Motoring press · published 1 December 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
Volkswagen faz recall do novo Gol, Voyage e Fox 1.0Vrum · Motoring press · published 17 August 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
Fiabilité Volkswagen Polo III (1994-2001) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Volkswagen Polo III: averías notificadas por los usuariosAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Ford Focus (third generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
VW Golf IIIWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Volkswagen GolWikipedia (pt) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
Troca de bomba d'água e correia de sincronismo do Gol G5 EA111Revista O Mecânico · Motoring press · published 7 March 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
Fiabilité Volkswagen Lupo (1998-2005) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Volkswagen Lupo (1998–2005): opiniones por motorizaciónAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
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
Justiça do RS determina recall de 400 mil veículos da VolkswagenOlhar Direto (con G1) · General press · published 13 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
Substituição de bobina, cabos e velas de ignição do Volkswagen Fox 1.0Revista O Mecânico · Motoring press · published 1 December 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
Volkswagen Gol: os 5 maiores defeitos crônicos do queridinho do BrasilVrum · Motoring press · published 9 April 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
Mais um recall e mais uma marca colocada à provaMecânica Online · Motoring press · published 1 November 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
Tribunal revoga recall para Gol, Voyage e FoxiCarros · Motoring press · published 16 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
Este é o motor Volkswagen que consumia mais óleo que gasolinaClick Petróleo e Gás · General press · published 12 June 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese