Ford EcoBoost engines: what are they and should you buy one? | Carbuyer (2024)

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Hybrid and fully electric cars may be growing in popularity in the UK, but many car buyers still prefer to stick with tried-and-true petrol engines, and Ford’s EcoBoost is one of the most popular. Combining fuel-sipping efficiency with nippy performance, the EcoBoost engine fits the bill for the majority of drivers, whether it’s found in a hatchback, performance car or an SUV.

EcoBoost engines make use of two key technologies: direct fuel injection and turbocharging, both of which we’ll touch on in this guide. The name first appeared in 2010, and EcoBoost engines of some form have since appeared in everything from the Ford Puma SUV to the Le Mans-winning Ford GT race car. While we imagine most car buyers won’t be in the market for the latter, you may want to know more about how EcoBoost engines work and their potential reliability issues if you’re shopping for a new family car.

If that’s the case, read on to learn more about Ford EcoBoost engines, their benefits and any problems to be aware of.

What are the benefits of Ford EcoBoost?

Ford likes to explain EcoBoost by splitting the name into its two constituent parts. ‘Eco’ refers to the exceptional fuel economy and reduction in CO2 emissions, while ‘Boost’ refers to the unit’s power and performance potential. The two qualities are combined into a single engine package that offers both efficiency and eager acceleration. Ford has achieved this by using two specific technologies.

Delivering the first part of the equation – improved economy – is the direct fuel injection system that dispenses with a traditional intake manifold and sprays a precisely measured and shaped jet of petrol into each cylinder at exactly the right moment in the combustion cycle. With extremely efficient combustion, it’s possible to reduce the amount of fuel required in any driving cycle, giving EcoBoost-equipped cars the potential to return impressive economy figures. As an example, the Ford Kuga family SUV can return up to 44mpg in a mixture of driving conditions from its 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine.

But drivers want flexibility and performance too, and it’s turbochargers that put the boost into EcoBoost engines. These increase the performance levels to the point where a 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine can not only reproduce the driving characteristic of a larger 1.6-litre, but actually improve on them. That’s because fitting a turbocharger means more torque – or pulling power – is available throughout the rev range, which makes an EcoBoost car feel nipper in everyday driving. Read our full explainer on turbochargers to understand how forced induction makes an engine more powerful.

It’s worth bearing in mind that while the EcoBoost name is unique to Ford, the technology that underpins it is not bespoke. In fact, the combination of direct injection and turbocharging that allows these engines to combine strong performance and economy is similar to that used in many of the Blue Oval’s rivals, such as Volkswagen’s TSI (Turbo Stratified Injection) units.

Which Ford models offer EcoBoost engines?

Practically every Ford model from the past decade has been offered with an EcoBoost engine, and the same remains true for the brand’s current lineup – electric models aside.

Ford’s best-selling small SUV – the Puma – exclusively uses EcoBoost engines, with the 1.0-litre unit capable of up to around 50mpg in a mixture of town and motorway driving. Throughout the Ford range, this engine is by far and away the most popular, striking what seems to be the optimum balance between efficiency and performance for most UK buyers.

Ford's hot hatchback line-up is also powered by EcoBoost petrol engines, with a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine powering the Puma ST, while the larger Focus ST is powered by a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine.

On our shores, the most powerful EcoBoost engine currently on sale is the 288bhp 3.0-litre V6 that’s found in the nose of the Ford Ranger Raptor pick-up truck. Yet even this seems mild compared to the 647bhp 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost that was used in the Ford GT, which was effectively a thinly disguised Le Mans racer for the road.

Ford EcoBoost mild-hybrid

Today, the Ford Puma and Ford Focus can only be ordered with an EcoBoost engine with a mild hybrid system – other than the high-performance Focus ST.

Based on the 1.0-litre petrol engine, it uses a belt-driven starter-generator system that harvests energy normally lost during braking and coasting (known as regenerative braking) into a small battery. This recuperated energy is then used to improve the efficiency of the stop-start system and provides a small boost in power to help take the strain off the petrol engine during normal driving and under acceleration. The result is improvements in fuel economy, emissions and performance.

Alongside a mild hybrid model, Ford now also offers the Kuga SUV with either a self-charging hybrid or plug-in hybrid EcoBoost engine. These systems work differently from a mild hybrid setup, so read our explainers to find out which is the right model for you.

Are there any known Ford EcoBoost problems?

The first three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine hit the road in 2012 under the bonnet of the Ford Focus. This means the carmaker has had years to refine the technology, which has now been fitted to millions of cars. It’s pretty mainstream technology at this point, which means it’s well run-in – there’s certainly no reason to fear undue breakdown or reliability issues.

A couple of high-profile recalls for EcoBoost cars issued in 2018 may sound alarm bells, but the truth is the faults were not specifically related to the EcoBoost tech. A Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost recall referred to a nylon pipe potentially overheating in the cooling system, while a potentially more serious fault in the cylinder head of 1.6-litre EcoBoost engines again isn’t directly related to EcoBoost tech.

Early examples of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder were also prone to head gasket leaks and even complete engine failure. However, the design faults that led to these problems were quickly addressed, with many of the cars affected receiving repairs and improved parts under warranty – so if an older example hasn’t failed due to a manufacturing problem by now, then it’s probably unlikely to. Either way, it’s still something to be wary of when shopping on the used market.

In 2024, a recall was launched for more than 130,000 Ford Focus and Ford EcoSport vehicles sold in North America, related to an issue where the engine could suffer a loss of oil pressure following a fault with the belt system driving the oil pump. No action has been announced for UK cars yet, so we’ll report back if this also affects European versions of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine.

One potential issue facing buyers looking to make the switch to an EcoBoost car is that the quoted fuel economy figures in the real world can vary. The turbocharger on an EcoBoost engine delivers punchy performance and if you’re tempted to use that performance often, the fuel economy advantages will start to disappear.

How long will an EcoBoost engine last?

As with all mainstream engines, EcoBoost engines have been designed to last. They should easily clock 80,000-100,000 miles with little need for repair, so long as the vehicle is regularly and properly serviced. In fact, take a quick look through the second hand classifieds and you’ll find many examples of EcoBoost-powered Fords that have racked up in excess of 150,000 miles. As with any car, regular servicing and maintenance will help to prevent engine issues down the line.

Want to know how the EcoBoost engine compares to its rivals? Read our list of the most economical cars on sale…