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MotorFiable

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue vs D4/D5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue carries less risk than the D4/D5: 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 D4/D5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)».

Risk index

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

59

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

D4/D5

64

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

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 D4/D5 reliable?

The Volvo D5/D4 covers two different engines: the classic 5-cylinder (2001-2016, D5244T/D5204) and the 4-cylinder VEA (D4204T, from 2013). On the former, several owners document the auxiliary belt breaking and taking the timing belt with it, destroying the engine; on the VEA the most common problems are the EGR, the DPF and oil consumption that can damage the turbo from 90,000-150,000 km. Neither is an engine to buy without checking its service history.[3][4][5][6]

See the 6 of the D4/D5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue and D4/D5
1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlueD4/D5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingWet belt (belt-in-oil)Timing belt (dry)
Power85–213 hp120–235 hp
Productionsince 2016[1][7]2001–2024[3][4][8]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk64High risk
Documented faults36
Of high or critical severity22
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. Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)
  2. High severity: High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA)
  3. Medium severity: Clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake
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]
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]
  • 2.4/2.0 D3/D4/D5 5-cylinder (D5244T/D5204, 2001-2016)[5][10]
  • 2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)[5][6][11]
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

D4/D5

See the 14 models with the D4/D5

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

With the D4/D5

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 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. Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. Volvo D5: 185 CV para el S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista.es · Motoring press · published July 2005 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-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. Volvo XC90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. 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
  10. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French