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2.3 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 2.3 EcoBoost: 19/100 (low risk) versus 41/100 (moderate risk). The 2.3 EcoBoost has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Focus RS cylinder head gasket and block: coolant entering the cylinders»; the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

2.3 EcoBoost

41

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

17 sourcesHow we work

Is the 2.3 EcoBoost reliable?

The 2.3 EcoBoost is the turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that Ford has fitted since 2015 to the Focus RS (350 hp), the fourth-generation Focus ST (280 hp) and the Ranger. Its documented fault is the cylinder head gasket on Focus RS cars built up to July 2017, which Ford repaired free of charge. We have found no evidence that it affects the ST, which uses a variant derived from the Mustang.[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the 2.3 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 2.3 EcoBoost and 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
2.3 EcoBoost1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,261 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power270–350 hp83–109 hp
Productionsince 2015[1][4][8][9]2004–2011[10][11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)41Moderate risk19Low risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity20
Worst severityCritical severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Focus RS cylinder head gasket and block: coolant entering the cylinders
  2. High severity: Engine wiring harness damaged by the gearbox housing (fourth-generation Focus)
  3. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the filler cap, the oil cooler and the sump
  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 versions
  • 2.3 EcoBoost 280 hp (Focus ST, 2019-2025)[4][15]
  • 1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)[7][14]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.3 EcoBoost 350 hp (Focus RS, 2016-2018)[2][3]
  • 2.3 EcoBoost 270 hp (Ranger T6.2, Mexico, from 2023)[9]
  • 2.3 EcoBoost PHEV 281 hp (Ranger plug-in hybrid, from 2025)[9][16]
  • 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][17]
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

2.3 EcoBoost

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

Other comparisons

With the 2.3 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. Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. Ford Focus RS (Mk3) | PH Used Buying GuidePistonHeads · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. Ford Focus RS engine problems: owners promised free repairsevo · Motoring press · published 23 January 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026
  4. Ford Focus ST (Mk4) | PH Used Buying GuidePistonHeads · Motoring press · published 19 November 2023 · 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 Focus RS (tabla del Focus RS Mk3, 2015-2018)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  9. Ford Ranger (T6)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. Used Ford Focus ST (Mk4, 2019 to date) review and buyer's guideevo · Motoring press · published 4 August 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Ford Ranger (tabla del Ranger Plug-in-Hybrid)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  17. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language