Ecoboost engine alert
Head gaskets can blow on 1.0-litre Ecoboost motors Not all drivers compensated
We speak to owners as reliability fears grow over Ford unit
FORD owners with 1.0-litre Ecoboost engines run the risk of having to stump up thousands in repair bills following a fault in the award-winning powerplant.
The marque has sold more than 438,000 models with the engine in the UK and a spokesman said 44,000 of these were subject to a repair programme two years ago. That targeted “all Focus 1.0 Ecoboosts built between October 2011 and October 2013”, and involved replacing the degas hose; part of the engine’s coolant system.
Ford explained the service campaign only targeted the Focus because it was most likely to develop the fault, although smaller cars such as the Fiesta also have the engine.
It said around 6,000 Focus owners have yet to have the repair carried out. This has increasingly resulted in drivers suffering engine breakdowns from a blown head gasket, with most repairs estimated at close to £6,000. A Facebook campaign started by affected owner Louise O’riordan has over 600 members – many of whom have had breakdowns after 30,000 or 40,000 miles.
Ford UK told Auto Express that in the past year it has issued 388 replacement 1.0-litre Ecoboost engines to dealers, but owners claim Ford only offers repairs as a goodwill gesture and on a case-by-case basis.
Some report the firm covering 100 per cent of the repair costs, while others claim the company only paid 70 per cent. Ford said any compensation takes into account servicing records and loyalty to the brand.
O’riordan told Auto Express: “I had to battle with Ford for 11 weeks before I was offered a new engine free of charge. But the company still hasn’t accepted liability.” She has since managed to reject her old car, with Ford replacing it for a newer model. A Ford spokesman commented: “Issues as described by the Facebook group contributors will be from some not reached by this [2015] service action.”
Cars built after October 2013 have a production-fixed degas hose and shouldn’t have this problem, the manufacturer claims. But at least 12 of the owners named on the Facebook group have suffered engine failure in 14, 64 and even 15-plate cars.
“We cannot comment generally on the cases, which include unsubstantiated allegations relying solely on information available on the Internet,” the Ford spokesman explained to Auto Express.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, which is responsible for vehicle recalls in the UK, has begun investigating the case.