1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue vs MZR-CD: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue carries less risk than the MZR-CD: 59/100 versus 64/100 (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 MZR-CD has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD».

Risk index

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

MZR-CD

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202617 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 MZR-CD reliable?

The MZR-CD is Mazda's most widespread diesel between 2002 and 2013, fitted to the Mazda3, Mazda6, Mazda5 and CX-7. It is sensitive to short journeys: the injector seals and incomplete DPF regenerations can dilute the oil, and the EGR and intake build up carbon. The 2.2-litre redesign (from 2008), with a timing chain instead of a belt, adds the risk of that chain stretching and damaging the engine.^[3][4][5][6]

See the 4 of the MZR-CD faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue and MZR-CD
Item	1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue	MZR-CD
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	—
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Timing belt (dry)
Power	85–213 hp	105–185 hp
Production	since 2016^[1][7]	2002–2013^{[8][9][10][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	64High risk
Documented faults	3	4
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical 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	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD High severity: Oil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerations High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
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][13] 2.0 EcoBlue twin-turbo 213 (Ranger and high-demand applications, since ~2019)^[2]	2.0 MZR-CD 121-143 (RF, 2002-2005, no DPF)^[3][5][14] 2.0 MZR-CD 105-143 (RF, 2005-2010, with DPF)^{[3][5][14][15]} 2.2 MZR-CD 125-185 (R2, 2008-2013)^{[4][6][16][17]}
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

MZR-CD

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

With the MZR-CD

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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
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2008-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda 6 I: Bekannte Probleme und Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda 6 II: Bekannte Probleme und Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Nuevo motor Ford 2.0 EcoBlue Diésel: más potente y ahorradorAutopista.es · Motoring press · published April 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Mazda diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda3Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda CX-7Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
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
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2003-2009)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Japanische Zuverlässigkeit? Ärger mit den Dieseln von Mazda und Toyotagebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2009-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda 3 II (2009-2013): Typische Probleme & Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German