In one Facebook group alone, 30,000 members are complaining about problems with Ford's Ecoboost engine. But the car brand denies that the unpopular design is a flaw.
Thousands of Ford owners are expressing concerns about the Ecoboost engine. In particular, the engine's timing belt, which runs in oil, is causing uncertainty.
A Facebook group for dissatisfied owners has reached 30,000 members. The group is called "Ford Ecoboost Nightmare." Here, members share experiences with engine problems.
Initially, Ford's Ecoboost engine was highly praised. It received several awards, including the title of Engine of the Year.
The engine was popular with car owners. It combined good fuel economy with decent power. Ford used the Ecoboost engine in many models. It was produced from 2009 to 2019.
But after a few years, problems began to arise. The problems were not so positive for the car owners. The special design of the timing belt, which has to run in oil, proved to be a challenge.
The timing belt can break down over time. The oil can become contaminated with rubber residue. This can lead to serious engine damage.
Replacing the timing belt is a comprehensive process. It typically takes about six hours at a workshop. The price for repair is around 16,250 Danish kroner.
At NAF, which is the Norwegian answer to FDM, Benny Christensen has previously expressed himself very critically about the engine design.
– It's not a question of if it will break – but when.
Car owners' experiences and concerns
There are many stories in the Facebook group "Ford Ecoboost Nightmare". Owners talk about engines that suddenly stop.
Many describe how Ford has refused to cover the repair costs. Timing belt problems are a recurring theme in the group's posts.
In Finland, the media outlet Yle has spoken to Ford owner Mona Söderblom. She owns a Ford Fiesta with an Ecoboost engine. The car has just 60,000 kilometers on the clock. Her concern about the engine's durability is growing.
– I don't think about it every day. But last time, when we were landing in Turku, we started thinking about what we would do if the engine broke down, she tells Yle.
Victor Wikström, also from Finland, owns a Ford with the engine in question. He knew about the risk when he bought the car. He urges increased attention.
– When it comes to that engine, you'll definitely be confused.
"I recommend that you as an owner look under the hood a little more often. It may be necessary to have more than one annual service," Wikström tells Yle.
Ford's official stance varies
In the UK, Ford has acknowledged issues with the Ecoboost engine. British customers have the option to seek full compensation.
You may be able to recover the costs of repairs caused by the fault. However, the situation is different in other countries.
In Finland, Ford denies that there is a design flaw in the engine. Matti Koponen is Aftermarket Director for Ford Finland.
He writes the following to Yle:
– Ford does not currently see it as necessary to extend warranties.
– In some cases, the manufacturer, retailer or brand representative may accept and reimburse costs incurred as a result of defects.
Ford instead emphasizes the importance of maintenance.
– Through the branded workshops, we have started to recommend more frequent oil changes. Car owners in Finland who primarily drive in urban traffic should change their engine oil annually, says Matti Koponen.
He explains that many cold starts can degrade the quality of the oil over time.
Ford customers in Denmark have also experienced serious problems with the Ecoboost engines. Some Danish owners are left without help from the importer. Read more about it here.
The unpopular Ecoboost engine is worrying many car owners. On Facebook, the Ford Ecoboost Nightmare group has gained 30,000 members.
At the same time, Ford itself states that the engine does not suffer from any design flaws. Owners are nevertheless encouraged to 'maintain the car carefully'.
