Ford 2.3L EcoBoost I4

Ford 2.3L EcoBoost I4 — every model and year that used this engine (35 models, 1981–present), based on NHTSA VIN build data, with links to prices and reliability.

Mustang EcoBoost, Ranger, Explorer.

2.3L · 4 cylinders · 15% of builds flagged turbo · seen in 35 models, 1981–2027

By the numbers

Output range 73–350 hp (median 143 hp). Gasoline: 99%. Based on 1,267 decoded NHTSA VIN build sheets.

About this engine family

EcoBoost is a series of turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline engines produced by Ford and originally co-developed by FEV Inc.. EcoBoost engines are designed to deliver power and torque consistent with those of larger-displacement naturally aspirated engines, while achieving up to 20% better fuel efficiency and 15% fewer greenhouse emissions, according to Ford. The manufacturer sees the EcoBoost technology as less costly and more versatile than further developing or expanding the use of hybrid and diesel engine technologies.

EcoBoost engines are broadly available across the Ford vehicle lineup.

In detail

EcoBoost gasoline direct-injection turbocharged engine technology adds 128 patents and patent applications to Ford's 4,618 active and thousands of pending US patents. Some of the costs of US development and production were assisted by the $5.9 billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program of the Department of Energy. The V6 EcoBoost engines are being assembled at Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 in Brook Park, Ohio.

The 2.0-liter I4 EcoBoost engines were produced at the Ford Valencia Plant in Spain in 2009. The 1.6-liter I4 EcoBoost engines are assembled at the Ford Bridgend Engine Plant in the United Kingdom. The smaller 1000cc-displacement 3 cylinder EcoBoost engine is produced both at Ford Germany in Cologne and at Ford Romania in Craiova. By 2012, the company planned to produce 750,000 EcoBoost units annually in the US and 1.3 million globally in the world market.

Ford expected over 90% of its global vehicle lineup (includes North America) to offer EcoBoost engine technology by 2013. From the engine's beginning to November 2012, 500,000 Ford EcoBoost vehicles have been sold. During Ford's ownership of Volvo (until 2010), it used the term PTDi (petrol turbocharged direct injection) for the 1.6 L I4 engine when introducing Volvo S60 concept and for the 2.0 L I4 engine when introducing Volvo XC60.

Ford has had to refund hundreds of customers worldwide because Ford EcoBoost engines in their vehicles have overheated, in some cases, caused engine fires. In 2015, a South African man died after becoming trapped in his Ford Kuga after its 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine burst into flames. In 2017, Ford South Africa recalled all Kugas in the country for engine checks. Ford produces a 1.0 L turbocharged in-line three-cylinder engine for the EcoBoost family developed at Ford's Dunton Technical Centre in the UK.

Production started in April 2012. The 1.0 was built initially in two versions:. Both versions deliver a maximum of from 1,400 to 4,500 rpm, whereas higher performing versions can provide up to on overboost for 30 seconds, which makes for a broad torque curve when compared to a naturally aspirated gasoline engine. A version has also been released in the Fiesta Red Edition and Black Edition (some markets), as well as the Focus ST-Line, with of torque.

The engine block is cast iron, which offers, in addition to the required strength, up to 50% faster warm-up than aluminum, at the expense of additional weight. To quell the natural vibrations of a three-cylinder design, unspecified efforts have been made in the flywheel design to ensure satisfactorily smooth running without the use of energy sapping balance shafts. The 1.0L EcoBoost GTDI engine uses an oil-bathed timing belt, commonly known as a "wet belt".

The engine is packaged in an engine block with a footprint the size of an A4 sheet of paper. With the introduction of the face-lifted 2013 Ford Fiesta, Ford introduced a naturally aspirated version of 1.0 Fox engine. The two versions produce, and both engines use direct injection and Ti-VCT like the turbocharged versions. Start-stop technology is also available. The engines are produced in Cologne (Germany), Craiova (Romania) and Chongqing (China).

Production is expected to be 700,000–1,500,000 units per year. The 1.0 L EcoBoost engine was introduced to the American market with the 2014 Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback, although cars with this engine did not sell particularly well. It was announced at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, when the Fiesta was introduced. The 123-hp version debuted in the North American market Focus in the 2015 model year. The engine accounted for less than 5 percent of Fiesta and Focus sales in the U.S., according to a 2017 report.

The 1.0 L engine was awarded the International Engine of Year Award 2016, making it the Best Engine Under 1.0 L for the fifth time in a row.

Source: Wikipedia — Ford EcoBoost engine, CC BY-SA.

Models that used this engine

Model Years with this engine Fuel VIN builds seen
EXPLORER 2016–2027 Gasoline 260
RANGER 1983–2026 Gasoline 218
MUSTANG 1981–2026 Gasoline 168
TEMPO 1984–1994 Gasoline 150
BRONCO 2021–2026 Gasoline 114
ESCAPE 2005–2008 Gasoline 92
FOCUS 2003–2018 Gasoline 66
FUSION 2006–2009 Gasoline 46
F-150 2011–2013 Gasoline 29
F350 2011–2013 Gasoline 24

Engine usage derived from NHTSA VIN build data (displacement + cylinder configuration). Model links lead to prices, generations and reliability.

For sale with this engine