Overheating / coolant loss (1.6 recall, 2010–2015)
usually 0–160,000 km · High risk
model years 2010–2015 only
Signs: Coolant level drops, overheating — cracked head / fire risk
Fix: Check recall; monitor coolant level
€0–3,000
Engine: common problems, timing drive and oil
1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost (4-cyl)
Petrol · 1,498 / 1,596 cm³ · 110–134 kW
11
model generations
3
known faults
394,000
new cars in the EU (2010–2025)
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
Fuel: Petrol. Timing drive: belt · 150,000 km / every 120 mo.
In our database this engine is fitted to 11 model generations, among them: Ford Focus III, Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max, Ford Kuga II, Ford Fiesta VI (Mk6/Mk7), Volvo V40, Volvo S60 / V60 I and 5 more.
The most expensive known risk is coolant intrusion into cylinders (1.5): it usually appears at 60,000–180,000 km and costs €3,000–6,000 to fix.
Key facts
| Fuel | Petrol |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,498 / 1,596 cm³ |
| Power | 110–134 kW |
| Years | 2010–2019 |
| Timing drive | Belt · 150,000 km / every 120 mo |
| Oil | 5W-20 · Ford WSS-M2C948-B · ~4.1 L · every 15,000 km |
| Engine codes | JQDA, JQDB, JTDA, JTDB, JTBA, M8DA, M8DB, M9DA, R9DA, UNCJ, M8MA, M9MA, B4164T, B4164T3 |
Known engine faults
Faults that belong to the engine itself. They apply to every model with this engine, and each model has its own extra faults on its model page.
Coolant intrusion into cylinders (1.5)
usually 60,000–180,000 km · High risk
engine codes: M8DA, M8DB, M9DA, UNCJ, M8MA, M9MA
Signs: Misfire on start, white smoke, coolant loss
Fix: Engine block replacement
€3,000–6,000
Carbon build-up (direct injection)
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle
Fix: Valve cleaning
€300–600
Engine-related service
Intervals and typical prices, using the Ford Fiesta VI (Mk6/Mk7) as an example. The app gives the exact plan for your car.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 150,000 km or every 120 months | €450–900 |
Models with this engine
Model generations this engine is fitted to.
Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max 2010–2019Ford Fiesta VI (Mk6/Mk7) 2008–2017Ford Focus III 2011–2018Ford Kuga II 2012–2019Ford Mondeo IV 2007–2014Ford Mondeo V 2014–2022Ford S-Max / Galaxy I 2006–2015Ford S-Max / Galaxy II 2015–2023Ford Tourneo / Transit Connect II 2013–2022Volvo S60 / V60 I 2010–2018Volvo V40 2012–2019
Common questions
Does the 1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost (4-cyl) engine have a timing chain or a timing belt?
Belt · 150,000 km / every 120 mo.
What oil does the 1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost (4-cyl) engine take?
5W-20 · Ford WSS-M2C948-B · ~4.1 L · every 15,000 km.
What are the known problems with the 1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost (4-cyl) engine?
The faults with the highest risk: coolant intrusion into cylinders (1.5) (60,000–180,000 km, €3,000–6,000); overheating / coolant loss (1.6 recall, 2010–2015) (0–160,000 km, €0–3,000).
Which cars have the 1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost (4-cyl) engine?
Ford Focus III, Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max, Ford Kuga II, Ford Fiesta VI (Mk6/Mk7), Volvo V40, Volvo S60 / V60 I and 5 more.
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026