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MotorFiable

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue vs 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC carries less risk than the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue: 54/100 versus 59/100 (both high risk). The 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Degradation of the wet timing belt (2.0 EcoBlue)»; the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger failure».

Risk index

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

59

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

54

High risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

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

11 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue reliable?

EcoBlue has been Ford's diesel family since 2016, with two very different engines despite the shared name: the 2.0 (codenamed «Panther») debuted a wet timing belt (belt-in-oil) and a second wet belt for the oil pump, the same type of design that has caused problems on other Ford engines; the 1.5, by contrast, uses a conventional dry belt. The 2.0 powers vans, SUVs and large saloons; the 1.5 the smaller models.[1][2]

See the 3 of the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue faults

Is the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC reliable?

The i-DTEC is Honda's diesel family from 2008, with two four-cylinder blocks: the 2.2 (Accord, CR-V) and, from 2013, the 1.6 (Civic, CR-V, HR-V). It uses a timing chain instead of a belt and common-rail injection. The basic architecture has a good reputation for longevity, but the emissions system (DPF and EGR) and the turbocharger account for most of the faults documented by owners themselves.[3][4][5][6]

See the 5 of the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue and 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC
1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingWet belt (belt-in-oil)Chain
Power85–213 hp120–180 hp
Productionsince 2016[1][7]2008–2020[3][8][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk54High risk
Documented faults35
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Degradation of the wet timing belt (2.0 EcoBlue)
  2. Critical severity: Wet oil pump belt (2.0 EcoBlue)
  3. Medium severity: Emissions system warnings (AdBlue/EGR) and injector wear
  1. High severity: Turbocharger failure
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage at high mileage
  3. Critical severity: Diesel injector wear or failure
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.5 EcoBlue 85/95/100/120 (dry timing belt, since 2018)[2]
  • 2.2 i-DTEC 150 (N22B1/B3/B4, from 2008)[5][6][9]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 EcoBlue single-turbo 105/130/150/170/190, with and without mild hybrid (since 2016)[2][10]
  • 2.0 EcoBlue twin-turbo 213 (Ranger and high-demand applications, since ~2019)[2]
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 120 (N16A1, single turbo, from 2013)[4][11]
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 160 (N16A4, twin turbo, CR-V)[5]
  • 2.2 i-DTEC 180 Type S (N22B2, from 2010)[3]
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

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

See the 13 models with the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

With the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

Compare other engines

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Sources

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

  1. Ford EcoBlue engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Which Cars Have a Wet Belt? Full UK Engine List (2026)CarOkay · Other source · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. Honda N engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2012-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2007-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Nuevo motor Ford 2.0 EcoBlue Diésel: más potente y ahorradorAutopista.es · Motoring press · published April 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Honda HR-VWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Avis et fiabilité Honda Accord (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Todos los coches afectados ya por problemas de motor a causa de correas de distribución en aceiteAutopista.es · Motoring press · published February 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2017-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French