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1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E vs 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 carries less risk than the 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E: 14/100 (low risk) versus 30/100 (moderate risk). The 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E has no documented serious faults; the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E

30

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Risk index

1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12

14

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

22 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E reliable?

The 1.8 and 2.0 litre Zetec-E engines in the Focus I are simple naturally aspirated petrol engines that, according to the sources, have no recurring serious fault. The most frequently mentioned issue is the plastic thermostat housing, which deforms and leaks coolant; in addition, Ford issued a recall in 2000 to replace the oil filler cap on 1.8 and 2.0 units built up to December 1999.[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E faults

Is the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 reliable?

The EW10 (2.0) and EW12 (2.2) are naturally aspirated 16-valve petrol engines with a timing belt, which PSA fitted between 1999 and 2010 to the 206, 307, 406, 407, 607, 807, C4, C5 and C8, among others. According to owners there are no frequent internal failures: the most-cited problems are the ignition coils (the only fault also reported by the press), the exhaust and, on the 2.2, oil consumption.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

See the of the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E and 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12
1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Timing belt (dry)
Power115–130 hp116–177 hp
Production1991–2004[1][12][13]1999–2010[4][6][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)30Moderate risk14Low risk
Documented faults31
Of high or critical severity00
Worst severityMedium severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Plastic thermostat housing: coolant leaks
  2. Medium severity: Loose oil filler cap and oil leak onto the exhaust
  3. Low severity: Dirty idle control valve: unstable idle
  1. Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.8 Zetec-E 16v 115 hp (Focus I, 1998-2004)[1][2]
  • 2.0 Zetec-E 16v 130 hp (Focus I, 1998-2004)[1][2][19]
  • 1.6 Zetec-E 16v 90 and 95 hp (Mondeo II, 1996-2000)[12][20]
  • 1.8 Zetec-E 16v 115 hp (Mondeo II, 1996-2000)[20]
  • 2.0 Zetec-E 16v 131 hp (Mondeo II, 1996-2000)[20]
  • 1.6 Zetec-E 16v 88-90 hp (Escort, 1992-2000)[12]
  • 1.8 Zetec-E 16v 105-116 hp (Escort, 1992-1998)[12]
  • 1.6 Zetec-E 16v 88-90 hp (Mondeo I, L1F and L1J, 1993-1996)[12][20]
  • 1.8 Zetec-E 16v 112-115 hp (Mondeo I, RKA and RKB, 1993-1996)[20]
  • 2.0 Zetec-E 16v 132-136 hp (Mondeo I, NGA, 1993-1996)[20]
  • 2.0 16v VVT 177 hp (EW10J4S, RFK, 2003-2008)[7][16][18]
  • 2.0 HPi 140 hp direct injection (EW10D, RLZ, 2001-2004)[8][10]
  • 2.2 16v 158-163 hp (EW12J4, 3FZ/3FY, 1999-2010)[8][9][11][15][21]
  • 1.8 16v 115-117 hp (EW7J4, 6FZ, 2000-2005)[8][17]
  • 1.8 16v 125-127 hp (EW7A, 6FY, 2005-2010)[9][22]
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

1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E

1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12

See the 19 models with the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12

Other comparisons

With the 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec-E

With the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12

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 Focus MK1 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 5 October 2023 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  2. Fiabilité et pannes du Ford Focus 1 (1998-2004)fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  3. Ford Focus recall R/2000/003: oil filler cap may become looseAutoinsider (datos DVSA) · Other source · published 20 March 2000 · consulted 2 November 2026
  4. PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Peugeot 307 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 November 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  6. Peugeot 407 problems (reseña de Graham Smith)CarsGuide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 17 March 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  7. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  8. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 406 1995-2004 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  9. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 407 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  10. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  11. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C8 2002-2015 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  12. Ford Zeta engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Ford FocusWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  15. Peugeot 307 2.0 16V 140 ch: courroie de distribution (intervalo, tiempo y riesgo)Mecazen · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  16. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 1998-2006 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  17. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara Picasso 1999-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  18. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C4 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  19. Ford Focus [MK1] [C170] (2002 - 2005) used car model guideExchange & Mart · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  20. Ford Mondeo 1993-2001: fiabilité et pannes (témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  21. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 607 2000-2011 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  22. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2008-2017 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French