Skip to content
MotorFiable
en

1.2 TCe vs 1.6 EcoBoost: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 TCe carries less risk than the 1.6 EcoBoost: 54/100 versus 59/100 (both high risk). The 1.2 TCe has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption and engine failure»; the 1.6 EcoBoost has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked cylinder head from overheating, with fire risk».

Risk index

1.2 TCe

54

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 EcoBoost

59

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

17 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 2 of the 1.2 TCe faults

Is the 1.6 EcoBoost reliable?

It is a turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder that Ford used between 2010 and 2018 as a mid-range step across much of its European line-up, and which Volvo sold under its own T3/T4 designations. Its most serious fault is overheating caused by a loss of coolant circulation that can crack the cylinder head and cause a fire: Ford has recalled cars in South Africa and in the US/Canada, although we have not confirmed an equivalent campaign in Spain.[6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 1.6 EcoBoost faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 TCe and 1.6 EcoBoost
1.2 TCe1.6 EcoBoost
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,197 cm³1,596 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power100–130 hp120–200 hp
Production2012–2018[1][2][5][9][10]2010–2019[6][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk59High risk
Documented faults24
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Excessive oil consumption and engine failure
  2. High severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage
  1. Critical severity: Cracked cylinder head from overheating, with fire risk
  2. High severity: Coolant loss from hoses, water pump or expansion tank
  3. High severity: Premature turbocharger failure
Most expensive documented repairup to €10,000Excessive oil consumption and engine failurePublished figure[1][2][12][13]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.2 TCe 100-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built from mid-2016)[2][5]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.2 TCe 115-130 / 1.2 DIG-T 115 (H5Ft / HRA2DDT, built up to mid-2016)[2][3][13]
  • 1.6 EcoBoost 120/150/160/182 (Ford, 2010-2019)[8][14][15]
  • 1.6 EcoBoost ST 182/197/200 (Ford Fiesta ST/ST200, 2013-2017)[6][16]
  • Volvo T3/T4 1.6 (B4164T3/B4164T/B4164T2, 2010-2018)[17]
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

1.2 TCe

See the 16 models with the 1.2 TCe

1.6 EcoBoost

See the 10 models with the 1.6 EcoBoost

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 TCe

With the 1.6 EcoBoost

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. 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
  2. Casse moteur Renault 1.2 TCe : 107 000 Renault concernéesL'argus · Motoring press · published 28 March 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. 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
  4. Moteur 1.2 Renault - Les constructeurs minimisentUFC-Que Choisir (Que Choisir Ensemble) · Consumer association · published 31 July 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  5. Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  6. Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. The Largest Ford EcoBoost Recalls In 15 Years Of ProductionCarBuzz · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Ford KugaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Nissan HR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. H-Typrenaultfans.info · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. Volvo S60Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Posibles fallos en algunos motores de gasolina de Renault, Dacia y NissanOCU · Consumer association · published 4 June 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. 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
  14. Fiabilité et pannes Ford Mondeo 3Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité et pannes Ford S-MaxFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Ford Fiesta STWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  17. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French