Common problems · engines and gearboxes

Ford EcoBoost and Wet Belt Problems by Model

EcoBoost is Ford's family of turbocharged petrol engines; the 1.0-litre three-cylinder version was fitted to a wide range of its cars from 2012. Some Ford engines, including the 1.0 EcoBoost and the 2.0 EcoBlue diesel, use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil — a “wet belt”. These are the recalls, the problems Ford has acknowledged, and those the motoring press reports.

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Recall · FordCooling
Recall: cylinder head can crack if it overheats
On some 1.6 EcoBoost engines, localised overheating can crack the cylinder head. The crack can cause a pressurised oil leak and, in extreme cases, an engine fire. Under the DVSA recall, dealers inspect the engine and cooling system and fit a coolant level sensor with an audible and visual warning.
Applies to: Ford 1.6 EcoBoost petrol in the Focus, Kuga, C-Max, Fiesta ST, Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy and Transit Connect, built 2010–2014
Only if it's the turbocharged 1.6 EcoBoost, not the non-turbo 1.6 Ti-VCT sold alongside it — check the badge or the V5C.
6 sources

Model pages: Ford Focus, Ford Kuga, Ford Fiesta

Recall · FordClutch & flywheel
Recall: clutch pressure plate can fracture (EcoBoost manuals)
On 1.0, 1.5 and 1.6 EcoBoost petrol cars with the 6-speed manual gearbox, repeated clutch slip can overheat the pressure plate until it fractures. Owners notice a burning-clutch smell and a loss of performance; in extreme cases a bang from the gearbox and debris that can start an under-bonnet fire. The recall adds software that warns the driver and cuts power when the clutch is slipping, or fits a revised clutch on cars without stop-start.
Applies to: Ford Focus, C-Max, Kuga, Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy and Transit Connect with a 1.0, 1.5 or 1.6 EcoBoost petrol engine and 6-speed manual gearbox, built 2009–2018
Only the turbocharged EcoBoost engines with the 6-speed manual gearbox. DVLA records neither the gearbox nor whether a 1.0 or 1.6 petrol is turbocharged, so this also shows for non-turbo Ti-VCT petrols and automatics.
6 sources

Model pages: Ford Focus, Ford Kuga

Recall · FordEngine
Recall: engine oil separator may be damaged and leak
Some engines were assembled with an oil separator that had been damaged beforehand and can leak oil. Dealers inspect it and replace it if it is damaged or leaking.
Applies to: Ford Fiesta, Puma, Focus and Kuga built February 2020 to May 2022
The recall notice does not name the engine and covers fewer than 10,000 cars; a Ford dealer can check by VIN.
2 sources
- DVSA – Check vehicle recalls (GOV.UK) — THE RIGHT-HAND ENGINE OIL SEPERATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED PRIOR TO ENGINE ASSEMBLY (R/2022/171)
- Car Recalls UK (mirror of DVSA recall data) — FORD FOCUS 2020-2022 – The engine oil seperator (R/2022/171)

Model pages: Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Ford Kuga

Compensation scheme · FordCooling
Coolant hose can fail and overheat the engine
On 1.0 EcoBoost engines built between October 2011 and October 2013, a coolant pipe can fail at high temperature, and the engine can then overheat. Ford reworked affected cars under a field service action and later said it would pay 100% of repairs linked to 1.0 overheating. If the temperature warning comes on, stop and let the engine cool.
Applies to: Ford 1.0 EcoBoost petrol (3-cylinder turbo) in the Focus Mk3, Fiesta Mk7, C-Max / Grand C-Max and B-Max, built 2011–2013
Only if it's the turbocharged 1.0 EcoBoost — Ford also sold a non-turbo 1.0 of the same size.
4 sources

Model pages: Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta

Service action · FordTiming belt / chain
Wet timing belt life cut short by oil dilution
Ford cut the timing belt interval on 2.0 EcoBlue Transit and Tourneo models from 10 years or 150,000 miles to 6 years or 100,000 miles. Ford said this was to address belt service life issues caused by oil dilution when the particulate filter cleans itself. A low oil pressure light or unusual rattling are the usual warning signs of a wet belt breaking down.
Applies to: Ford 2.0 EcoBlue diesel (belt-in-oil) in the Transit, Transit Custom and Tourneo, built from 2016
3 sources

Model pages: Ford Transit Custom

Reported by 3 publishersTiming belt / chain
1.0 EcoBoost: oil-bathed timing belt can break up early
The 1.0 EcoBoost's timing belt runs in engine oil. If servicing has been missed or the wrong oil used, the belt can degrade early and shed debris that blocks the oil pickup, starving the engine of oil pressure. A low oil pressure light, rattling, rough idle or difficult starting are the reported signs; replacing the belt is a big job, quoted at around £1,000 or more. Ford later changed the camshaft drive to a chain.
Applies to: Ford 1.0 EcoBoost petrol (belt-driven camshafts) in the Fiesta, Focus, C-Max, B-Max, EcoSport, Mondeo, Transit/Tourneo Connect and Courier, built 2012–2019
Only the turbocharged 1.0 EcoBoost — Ford also sold non-turbo 1.0 engines of the same size. Cars built around 2018–2019 may have either a belt or a chain; a Ford dealer can tell from the VIN.
10 sources

Model pages: Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus

Reported by 2 publishersCooling
Early EcoBoost petrols: coolant tank faults and head-gasket failure
Early EcoBoost petrol Kugas are reported to suffer faulty coolant expansion bottles, misfires and a higher chance of head-gasket failure, especially if the cooling system has not been modified. Look for coolant outside the expansion tank and for white deposits that suggest coolant mixing with oil. The 1.6 EcoBoost was also recalled for a cracking cylinder head.
Applies to: Ford Kuga Mk2 (2012–2019) with a 1.5 or 1.6 EcoBoost petrol engine, especially earlier cars
2 sources
- Parkers — Ford Kuga Mk2 (2012-2020) used review: known faults and common problems
- Autocar — Ford Kuga 2014-2019 Reliability & Common Problems

Model pages: Ford Kuga

Reported by 2 publishersEngine
1.0 EcoBoost: carbon build-up causing misfires and rough running
As a direct-injection engine, the 1.0 EcoBoost can build up carbon deposits inside, which shows as misfiring at idle, rough running, hesitation or reluctance to start. A specialist cleaning service and good-quality fuel usually improve it.
Applies to: Ford 1.0 EcoBoost petrol in the Fiesta, EcoSport and Transit Courier, built from 2012
Only the turbocharged 1.0 EcoBoost — Ford also sold non-turbo 1.0 engines of the same size.
3 sources

Model pages: Ford Fiesta

These describe the model, not one car. Plenty of cars never have the problems their model is known for, and a recall may already have been done on yours. Every problem links to its sources; a reported problem needs two independent publishers before we list it.

Recalls are listed by DVSA for the model around its build date — check a specific car by VIN at GOV.UK. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Common questions

What are the common Ford EcoBoost and wet-belt engines problems?

Recall: cylinder head can crack if it overheats; Recall: clutch pressure plate can fracture (EcoBoost manuals); Recall: engine oil separator may be damaged and leak; Coolant hose can fail and overheat the engine; Wet timing belt life cut short by oil dilution; 1.0 EcoBoost: oil-bathed timing belt can break up early. Each is listed above with the models it applies to and its sources.

Does my car have one of these problems?

Not necessarily — these describe the engine or gearbox, and many cars never have them. Enter your registration in the common problems checker to see what applies to your exact car, and a service history check to see whether the work has been done.

Ford EcoBoost and Wet Belt Problems by Model

Common questions

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