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1.0 EcoBoost vs 1.2 TCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 TCe carries less risk than the 1.0 EcoBoost: 54/100 versus 71/100 (both high risk). The 1.0 EcoBoost has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Degradation of the timing belt running in oil»; the 1.2 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption and engine failure».

Risk index

1.0 EcoBoost

71

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 TCe

54

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

20 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.0 EcoBoost reliable?

It is a turbocharged direct-injection three-cylinder that has won Engine of the Year several times, but it has two very well-documented weak points: two belts running in oil (timing and oil pump) that can disintegrate and seize the engine, and cases of coolant leaks and overheating in early units. It is best bought with a service history and the belts checked or replaced on time.[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the 1.0 EcoBoost faults

Is the 1.2 TCe reliable?

Only with reservations: 1.2 TCe and 1.2 DIG-T engines built between 2012 and mid-2016 can burn a lot of oil because of poor piston ring sealing, with a risk of damaging the valves, stretching the chain or destroying the engine. Renault and Nissan dealt with it through technical notes and case-by-case assistance, without a recall; later production incorporates the fix.[5][6][7][8][9]

See the 2 of the 1.2 TCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 EcoBoost and 1.2 TCe
1.0 EcoBoost1.2 TCe
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement999 cm³1,197 cm³
TimingWet belt (belt-in-oil)Chain
Power100–155 hp100–130 hp
Productionsince 2012[1][10][11][12]2012–2018[5][6][9][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)71High risk54High risk
Documented faults42
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Degradation of the timing belt running in oil
  2. Critical severity: Oil pump belt and tensioner failure
  3. Critical severity: Coolant leaks and overheating from the turbo hose
  1. Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure
  2. High severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200Degradation of the timing belt running in oilPublished figure[2]up to €10,000Excessive oil consumption and engine failurePublished figure[5][6][15][16]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.2 TCe 100-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built from mid-2016)[6][9]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.0 EcoBoost 100/125 (Fox, 2012-2017)[2][3][17]
  • 1.0 EcoBoost 100/125/140 with cylinder deactivation (from ~2017)[18][19]
  • 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid 48V mild hybrid (125/155 hp, from 2019)[1][20]
  • 1.2 TCe 115-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built up to mid-2016)[6][7][16]
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

1.0 EcoBoost

See the 11 models with the 1.0 EcoBoost

1.2 TCe

See the 16 models with the 1.2 TCe

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 EcoBoost

With the 1.2 TCe

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 EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  2. Alerta Ford: la correa de distribución del 1.0 EcoBoost puede romper el motor y la NHTSA ya investigaMotor16 · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Los Ford 1.0 EcoBoost tricilíndricos están dando problemas de correas bañadas que recuerdan al caso PureTechMotor.es · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Gripa el motor por problema en el manguito se queda sin refrigeranteOpinautos · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Moteur 1.2 Renault - 400 000 voitures en dangerUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 24 May 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  6. Casse moteur Renault 1.2 TCe : 107 000 Renault concernéesL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 March 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  7. Renault 1.2 TCe et Nissan 1.2 DIG-T : des moteurs gourmands en huileL'argus · Motoring press · published 12 October 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  8. Moteur 1.2 Renault - Les constructeurs minimisentUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 31 July 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  9. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  10. Prueba: Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost 100 CV (2013)km77 · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Ford Mondeo Berlina Trend 1.0 EcoBoost 92 kW (125 CV) (2015-2018): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Ford B-MAX Trend 1.0 EcoBoost 100 CV (2012-2018): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. H-Typrenaultfans.info · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  15. Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Problème moteur Renault-Dacia 1.2 TCe, Nissan 1.2 DIG-T et Mercedes - Vos questions, nos réponsesUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 24 May 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  17. Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?Carbuyer · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026
  18. Ford's Self-Clogging 1.0-Liter EcoBoost Engine Is Finally Getting RecalledThe Drive · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026
  19. The Largest Ford EcoBoost Recalls In 15 Years Of ProductionCarBuzz · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026
  20. Stellantis no es el único afectado por la correa de distribución bañada en aceiteAutofácil · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish