1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue vs e-Skyactiv D 3.3: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 carries less risk than the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue: 21/100 (low risk) versus 59/100 (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 e-Skyactiv D 3.3 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Stalling and restart failures due to control unit software».

Risk index

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

e-Skyactiv D 3.3

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 30 October 20269 sources How 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 e-Skyactiv D 3.3 reliable?

The e-Skyactiv D 3.3 is an inline-six diesel with mild-hybrid assistance that Mazda debuted in the CX-60. It is a very recent engine: there is no in-service reliability data, and what is documented are software recalls (stalling, restarting, clutch) fixed at the official dealer.^[3][4][5]

See the 2 of the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue and e-Skyactiv D 3.3
Item	1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue	e-Skyactiv D 3.3
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	3,283 cm³
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	—
Power	85–213 hp	254 hp
Production	since 2016^[1][6]	since 2022^[7][8]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	21Low risk
Documented faults	3	2
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Degradation of the wet timing belt (2.0 EcoBlue) Critical severity: Wet oil pump belt (2.0 EcoBlue) Medium severity: Emissions system warnings (AdBlue/EGR) and injector wear	High severity: Stalling and restart failures due to control unit software High severity: Clutch between engine and electric motor that does not re-engage after braking
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.5 EcoBlue 85/95/100/120 (dry timing belt, since 2018)^[2]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 EcoBlue single-turbo 105/130/150/170/190, with and without mild hybrid (since 2016)^[2][9] 2.0 EcoBlue twin-turbo 213 (Ranger and high-demand applications, since ~2019)^[2]	3.3 e-Skyactiv D 254 (T3-VPTS, 2022-present)^[3][4][5]
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

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

See the 13 models with the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

e-Skyactiv D 3.3

Mazda CX-60

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

With the e-Skyactiv D 3.3

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.

Ford EcoBlue engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Which Cars Have a Wet Belt? Full UK Engine List (2026)CarOkay · Other source · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (Mazda CX-60)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 29 October 2026
Mazda CX-60 (2022 – 2024): engine stall (Safety Gate SR/01913/25)Car-Recalls.eu · Official body · published 23 May 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
Mazda CX-60: The engine not responding to the accelerator after stopping (KBA 14131R)Car-Recalls.eu · Official body · published 11 August 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
Nuevo motor Ford 2.0 EcoBlue Diésel: más potente y ahorradorAutopista.es · Motoring press · published April 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Skyactiv (apartado Skyactiv-D 3.3)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Mazda CX-60 3.3 e-Skyactiv D MHEV 254ps AWD HomuraPractical Caravan · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026
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