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

According to our risk index, the 2.3 EcoBoost carries less risk than the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: 41/100 (moderate risk) versus 50/100 (high 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 1.0, 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

2.3 EcoBoost

41

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

50

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

24 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 1.0, 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 2.3 EcoBoost and 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
2.3 EcoBoost1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,261 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power270–350 hp50–104 hp
Productionsince 2015[1][4][9][10]1991–2022[11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)41Moderate risk50High risk
Documented faults34
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityCritical 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. High severity: Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT
  2. Critical severity: Hard cold starting and software update for the 2009-2010 1.0
  3. Medium severity: Thermostat, housing and water pump of the cooling circuit
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]
  • 1.0 8v 50 hp (AER, ALD, ALL, ANV, AUC; 1996-2005)[16][17]
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)[10]
  • 2.3 EcoBoost PHEV 281 hp (Ranger plug-in hybrid, from 2025)[10][18]
  • 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][19][20][21]
  • 1.0 8v VHT flex (EA-111, 2008-2022)[5][19][22][23]
  • 1.6 8v Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 2003-2022)[19][24]
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

1.0, 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 2.3 EcoBoost

With the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

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. A VW e o problema dos motores 1.0Motorshow · Motoring press · published 1 December 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  6. Volkswagen faz recall do novo Gol, Voyage e Fox 1.0Vrum · Motoring press · published 17 August 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  7. Fiabilité Volkswagen Polo III (1994-2001) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  8. Volkswagen Polo III: averías notificadas por los usuariosAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  9. Ford Focus RS (tabla del Focus RS Mk3, 2015-2018)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Ford Ranger (T6)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. VW Golf IIIWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. Volkswagen GolWikipedia (pt) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  14. 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
  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. Fiabilité Volkswagen Lupo (1998-2005) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  17. Volkswagen Lupo (1998–2005): opiniones por motorizaciónAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  18. Ford Ranger (tabla del Ranger Plug-in-Hybrid)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. Volkswagen Gol: os 5 maiores defeitos crônicos do queridinho do BrasilVrum · Motoring press · published 9 April 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  22. Mais um recall e mais uma marca colocada à provaMecânica Online · Motoring press · published 1 November 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  23. Tribunal revoga recall para Gol, Voyage e FoxiCarros · Motoring press · published 16 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  24. 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