Oil pump drive belt (runs in oil)
usually 200,000–260,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: No warning before it fails — oil pressure can drop
Fix: Replace the oil pump belt at Ford's scheduled interval
€300–700
Engine: common problems, timing drive and oil
1.5 EcoBoost (3-cyl Dragon, 2018+)
Petrol · 1,497 cm³ · 110–147 kW
6
model generations
1
known faults
236,000
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: chain.
In our database this engine is fitted to 6 model generations, among them: Ford Kuga III, Ford Focus IV, Ford Kuga II, Ford Focus III, Ford Mondeo V, Ford Puma.
The most expensive known risk is oil pump drive belt (runs in oil): it usually appears at 200,000–260,000 km and costs €300–700 to fix.
Key facts
| Fuel | Petrol |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,497 cm³ |
| Power | 110–147 kW |
| Years | 2018–2027 |
| Timing drive | Chain |
| Oil | 5W-20 · Ford WSS-M2C948-B · every 15,000 km |
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.
Engine-related service
Intervals and typical prices, using the Ford Focus III 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 chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
Models with this engine
Model generations this engine is fitted to.
Ford Focus III 2011–2018Ford Focus IV 2018–2025Ford Kuga II 2012–2019Ford Kuga III 2019–Ford Mondeo V 2014–2022Ford Puma 2019–
Common questions
Does the 1.5 EcoBoost (3-cyl Dragon, 2018+) engine have a timing chain or a timing belt?
Chain.
What oil does the 1.5 EcoBoost (3-cyl Dragon, 2018+) engine take?
5W-20 · Ford WSS-M2C948-B · every 15,000 km.
What are the known problems with the 1.5 EcoBoost (3-cyl Dragon, 2018+) engine?
The faults with the highest risk: oil pump drive belt (runs in oil) (200,000–260,000 km, €300–700).
Which cars have the 1.5 EcoBoost (3-cyl Dragon, 2018+) engine?
Ford Kuga III, Ford Focus IV, Ford Kuga II, Ford Focus III, Ford Mondeo V, Ford Puma.
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