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B4204T

2.0 T2/T3/T4/T5/T6 and B4/B5 mild hybrid 4-cylinder (B4204T, Drive-E, 2013-present) engine: faults and reliability

Volvo Drive-E gasolina (VEA de 4 and 3 cilindros) version

With caution

The best-documented fault is high oil consumption on some units (up to 1 litre per 1,000 km according to a German used-car analysis), which in one known case ended up damaging the turbo; carbon build-up on the intake valves, typical of direct injection, is also documented. Neither is acknowledged by Volvo with a specific campaign, so you should check the service history and oil consumption before buying.[1][2][3]

Years
since 2013
Power
122–320 hp
Faults that affect it
4
1 of high or critical severity
Cars that use it
10
in our database

16 sourcesHow we work

What changes in this version

2.0-litre inline four-cylinder aluminium block, with sequential direct injection and a turbocharger (with an additional supercharger on the higher-output T6 versions). Launched in 2013 as the T5/T6 in the Volvo S60/V60 of that generation, it progressively replaced the older engines (2.5 T5 and the Ford-derived 3.0/3.2 5/6-cylinder units) and spread to the T2, T3 and T4 depending on the model. From around 2019 several versions added 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance with the designations B4 and B5.[2][3][4]

Engine codes of this version: B4204T.

Faults of the B4204T engine

The documented engine faults that affect this version and its years, from most to least important.

  1. 1High severityFrequency: CommonLubricationHigh oil consumption that can damage the turboYes: on the more powerful versions (T5, T6, B5), a German used-car analysis documents oil consumption of up to 1 litre per 1,000 km, and on one Volvo XC60 that lack of lubrication ended up damaging the turbo at 150,000 km. Volvo does not acknowledge it with a campaign of its own.
  2. 2Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeCarbon build-up on injectors and intake valves due to direct injectionYes: as with other direct-injection engines, the Drive-E's injectors and intake valves accumulate carbon over time, with possible loss of power and rough idling. Two used-car analyses (Volvo XC40 and V90) flag it as a known weak point of this engine.
  3. 3Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingLeak from the expansion tank or faulty cap in the cooling systemOn the Volvo V40 II with the T2 Drive-E engine, two owners document a leak from the coolant expansion tank (17,900 km) and a faulty cooling system cap (49,000 km). These are isolated cases, but they involve a component that is cheap to check at any service.Appears at around 17,900 km
  4. 4Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeRecall over the plastic intake manifoldOn the Volvo V60 and V90 with the Drive-E engine, two German analyses document a recall over a plastic intake manifold that can deform or overheat on units built up to 2018. We have not confirmed the official reference or whether it also affects the diesel.

Cars fitted with the B4204T engine

Open each car to see all its faults with this engine and what to check before buying it.

Volvo

Frequently asked questions

Is the B4204T engine reliable?

Our verdict is “With caution”. The best-documented fault is high oil consumption on some units (up to 1 litre per 1,000 km according to a German used-car analysis), which in one known case ended up damaging the turbo; carbon build-up on the intake valves, typical of direct injection, is also documented. Neither is acknowledged by Volvo with a specific campaign, so you should check the service history and oil consumption before buying.[1][2][3]

What faults does the B4204T engine have?

The documented ones that affect this version, by importance: high oil consumption that can damage the turbo (high severity), carbon build-up on injectors and intake valves due to direct injection (medium severity), leak from the expansion tank or faulty cap in the cooling system (medium severity) and recall over the plastic intake manifold (medium severity).

Which cars use the B4204T engine?

Volvo XC40 (since 2017), Volvo XC60 I (2014–2017), Volvo XC60 II (since 2017), Volvo XC90 II (since 2015), Volvo V40 II (2013–2019), Volvo V60 I (2014–2019), Volvo V60 II (since 2018), Volvo S60 II (2014–2019), Volvo S60 III (since 2018) and Volvo V90 (2016–2024).[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]

Are you buying a car with the B4204T engine?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Volvo XC60 II (ab 2017) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published November 2022 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. Volvo V90 – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Volvo XC40Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC40Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Volvo XC40 (seit 2017) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published March 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC90 2Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V40Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Volvo V40 II (2012 – 2019) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published January 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  12. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Volvo V60 - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  14. Volvo S60Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Volvo V90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S90 / V90Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French