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1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue vs 2.5 TDI R5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.5 TDI R5 carries less risk than the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue: 45/100 (moderate 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 2.5 TDI R5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders».

Risk index

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

59

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.5 TDI R5

45

Moderate 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

10 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 2.5 TDI R5 reliable?

The 2.5 TDI R5 in the T5 and the Touareg has a poor reputation: camshaft wear, pump injectors and cylinder coating. The later series were more reliable. It is not Audi's V6 TDI.[3][4][5]

See the 5 of the 2.5 TDI R5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue and 2.5 TDI R5
1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue2.5 TDI R5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement—2,461 cm³
TimingWet belt (belt-in-oil)Timing belt (dry)
Power85–213 hp88–174 hp
Productionsince 2016[1][6]2003–2011[7][8][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk45Moderate risk
Documented faults35
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: Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders
  2. High severity: Camshaft and hydraulic tappet wear
  3. Medium severity: Leaks and play in the unit injectors
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][10]
  • 2.0 EcoBlue twin-turbo 213 (Ranger and high-demand applications, since ~2019)[2]
  • 2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp with DPF (BNZ, BPC, 2006-2009)[3]
  • 2.5 TDI common rail Crafter (88 to 163 hp, 2006-2011)[9]
AvoidVersions to avoidNone
  • 2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp (AXD, AXE, 2003-2006)[3]

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

2.5 TDI R5

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

With the 2.5 TDI R5

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. VW T5 4Motion Gebrauchtwagen-TestAuto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  4. Kaufberatung gebrauchter VW T5 (2003-2015)Promobil · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  5. Ratgeber Technik: Fehler VW T5Auto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  6. Nuevo motor Ford 2.0 EcoBlue Diésel: más potente y ahorradorAutopista.es · Motoring press · published April 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. VW T5Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  8. VW Touareg IWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  9. Volkswagen CrafterWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  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