After Stellantis, another major brand is suffering serious engine failures: here are the models affected
Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel vehicle owners have discovered the hard way in recent years about the flaws in the 1.2 PureTech engine, Stellantis's star gasoline engine. The fault lies with a "wet" timing belt, immersed in oil, which breaks down much sooner than expected. The consequences are unfortunate for those who own a vehicle equipped with this 3-cylinder: sudden engine failures, repairs costing several thousand euros, and plummeting confidence in this engine, despite its award-winning debut.
While the PureTech engine scandal continues to generate a lot of buzz, despite Stellantis' various efforts to reassure its customers, another world-renowned manufacturer is facing similar setbacks. American brand Ford, which has a strong presence in France, is facing major problems with its 1.0 EcoBoost and 2.0 EcoBlue engines. The first, a gasoline engine, is widely used in the Ford Fiesta, Focus, and Puma, some of the manufacturer's best-selling models. The second, a diesel engine, is found in commercial vehicles such as the Ford Transit.
Like the PureTech, both engines from the American brand are equipped with a "wet" timing belt. However, many owners report premature failures: the belt disintegrates, clogs the oil strainer, leading to a loss of lubrication... and sometimes irreversible engine failure!
Testimonies from disgruntled users are beginning to spread like wildfire. Thousands of owners whose cars have suffered engine failures, sometimes at very low mileage, have gathered in Facebook groups to make their voices heard. Ford acknowledges some flaws, but communication remains timid, and recall campaigns limited. The manufacturer has quietly revised its recommendations. It now recommends early replacement of the timing belt, every 150,000 kilometers or 6 years, compared to 240,000 km and 10 years previously.
Ford also emphasizes the importance of using only Ford-approved engine oil (WSS-M2C948-B) – like Stellantis with PureTech – and of strictly respecting oil change intervals, as unsuitable or old oil accelerates belt deterioration and increases the risk of engine failure. Despite this, many users find themselves facing a wall when it comes time to claim a claim.
It's hard not to draw parallels between the problems encountered by Ford and those of Stellantis. In both cases, modern engines, marketed as reliable and fuel-efficient, turn out to be veritable mechanical time bombs. And thousands of motorists are left to foot the bill. Others drive with the fear that their car's engine will give up the ghost at any moment. A sword of Damocles they could have done without.
L'Internaute
