Verdict
A 1.6-litre direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, fitted to the Ford Focus, Kuga, Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy and Fiesta ST. Its major flaw is localised cylinder head overheating when coolant runs low, which can crack the head and cause an oil leak, or even a fire: Ford recalled the cars to add a level sensor. Do not buy one without proof that this recall was carried out.
Years to favour or avoid
- To favour
- No year particularly to favour
- To avoid
- 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Known faults
Cylinder head overheating and cracking, fire risk (recall)
Manufacturer recallLow coolant can cause localised overheating of the cylinder head, which can crack and leak oil onto the hot exhaust manifold, with a fire risk. L'argus counts 3,537 vehicles affected in France, including the Kuga 2; Ford fits a coolant level sensor. Getcarwise cites Fiesta ST built from 2 June 2010 to 20 December 2014. Coolant loss with no visible leak, reported by owners, should be taken seriously. Check with the VIN.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- ecoboost-1-6
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Sources
- Rappel Ford 1.6 EcoBoost/SCTi : risque de surchauffe de culasse — L'argus (new tab)
- Ford South Africa finally recalls Kuga over fire risk — CAR magazine (new tab)
- Ford finally recalls Kuga SUVs — IOL (new tab)
- Ford Fiesta Problems & Known Issues — getcarwise.co.uk (new tab)
- Ford Kuga II 2013-2019 : fiabilité, quoi vérifier ? — carverif.fr (new tab)
- Fiabilité Ford Fiesta ST (VI) 1.6 EcoBoost 182ch en France — carverif.fr (new tab)
- Fiabilité Ford Mondeo 3 (2007-2014) — fiches-auto.fr (new tab)
- Moteurs Ford Mondeo 3 (2007-2014) — fiches-auto.fr (new tab)
Models fitted
Extra cautionPhoto: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Buy with carePhoto: M 93, Attribution
Good choice, check firstPhoto: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Buy with carePhoto: LSDSL, CC BY-SA 2.0 de
Extra cautionPhoto: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0
Maintain and diagnose this engine
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of car parts (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.