2.0 EcoBoost vs VR6: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 EcoBoost carries less risk than the VR6: 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 VR6 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «VR6 timing chain and tensioners».

Risk index

2.0 EcoBoost

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

VR6

High 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 202626 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 VR6 reliable?

Its best-documented faults are the timing chain, with tensioners on the 12-valve versions and stretching on the 3.2 (R32, A3 8P, TT, Cayenne), and, to a lesser extent, the cooling system of the 12-valve versions. The 3.6 FSI comes out of the sources better than the 3.2.^[5][6][7]

See the 2 of the VR6 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 EcoBoost and VR6
Item	2.0 EcoBoost	VR6
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,999 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	203–250 hp	140–300 hp
Production	2010–2018^[8][9]	1991–2024^[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	50High risk
Documented faults	3	2
Of high or critical severity	1	1
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	Critical severity: VR6 timing chain and tensioners Medium severity: 12-valve VR6 cooling: water pump, thermostat and plastic pipes
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 EcoBoost 203/240 hp (Mondeo IV, S-Max I and Galaxy II, 2010-2014)^[1][13] 2.0 EcoBoost 203/240 hp (Mondeo V, S-Max II and Galaxy III, 2014-2018)^[1][2][14] 2.0 EcoBoost ST 250 hp (Focus ST, 2012-2018)^[13][15][16] 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][17] Land Rover and Jaguar Si4 240 hp (Evoque, Freelander 2, Discovery Sport and XF, 2011-2016)^[18]	2.8 VR6 12V 140-174 hp (AAA, AMY, AES; 1991-2000)^[5][19] 2.9 VR6 12V 190 hp (ABV; 1994-1997)^[5] 2.8 V6 24V 204 hp (AQP, AUE, BDE, AMV, AYL; 1999-2008)^[6][20][21] 3.2 VR6 220-250 hp (BFH, BML, BDB, BMJ, BUB, BHE, BDL, BKK, AZZ, AXZ, CBRA; 2001-2010)^{[6][7][22][23]} 3.6 VR6 FSI 249-300 hp (BLV, BWS, CDVA, CCZB, CNNA, CMTA; 2005-2018)^{[7][24][25][26]}
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

VR6

See the 26 models with the VR6

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 EcoBoost

With the VR6

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
VW Golf III VR6 (1991-1998)AutoBild · Motoring press · published 1 September 2003 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Golf IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Gebrauchtwagen-Kaufberater: Was kann der Porsche Cayenne 9PA?AutoScout24 · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Ford Focus (third generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
VR6 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
VR6-MotorWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW EA390Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
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
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Golf III (1991-1998)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Seat Leon I: Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Bora (1J2): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 14 July 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Golf 4: ProblemeCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Audi TT: ProblemeCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Passat CC: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Probleme mit dem Porsche Cayenne (9PA y 92A)CarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Passat (2004-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French