2018-2022 Ford EcoSport 2.0L Duratec Ti-VCT Engine: Longevity, Problems, and Specs

Ford has been one of the major car suppliers for the US market. The company offers quite a lot of models but recently they started cutting on cheaper cars like Fiesta and Focus and preferring SUVs. We understand that, this is the response to some changes in how Americans choose their new cars. No one wants cheap hatchbacks, all people want SUVs. But what about the EcoSport model?

Today, we'll tell you about the 2.0L engine that you will find under the hood of your new 2022 Ford EcoSport. What about its problems and main features? We'll explain the history of this engine and will also show some common problems you may encounter if you decide to buy the EcoSport equipped with this powertrain.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2001-2022
• Average lifespan of 2.0L Duratec:190,000-220,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:direct injection
• Power range:130-150 hp
• Fuel efficiency:average
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:oil consumption, chain stretching, carbon buildup on intake valves.

Some key features of the 2-liter Duratec Ti-VCT in your Ford EcoSport

The new EcoSport is living its final model year and is going to go two possible ways: discontinuation in 2023 or the new generation with a much brighter design. The vehicle has been criticized a lot for its dull design - it basically resembles the Fiesta on steroids. It also has a small interior and a really cramped place for drivers and passengers. But this is still the SUV that costs not so much.

You can buy the cheapest EcoSport for a little over $23,000 which is pretty affordable. For us, it still seems to be too expensive for the car that looks like a mini version of the Escape or maxi sister of the Fiesta. But people buy it - over 50,000 of average yearly sales in the US only prove that someone finds this car good enough for the money.

Though in 2018-2019, Ford sold the EcoSport equipped with the 1-liter EcoBoost engine and this was the combo - small SUV with a problematic engine. After that, they stopped installing the EcoBoost and only kept the old good 2-liter Duratec engine.

Here's what you should know about it:

• the engine is a 2.0L unit without a turbocharger, it shows 166 horsepower which is not bad for this vehicle;
• the torque is not that impressive - only 149 lb-ft, but it's available at lower RPM and you won't use the EcoSport for towing much;
• this is a simple inline-4 engine that is basically over 20 years old but still good in terms of emissions and consumption;
• the engine is not bad in terms of acceleration, also it offers pretty good fuel economy - 25 mpg combined;
• the Duratec engine is pretty simple and quite good to own for those who want to drive their new car for a lot of miles without changing it;
• the vehicle is equipped with the PowerShift transmission which is the DCT transmission and it has a lot of problems after 100K miles;
• all trims now come with AWD which is good news for those who want this vehicle for active lifestyle support.

Well, we are writing this and can't understand whether we like the powertrain or not. Yes, it's not that modern and it doesn't seem really economical, the transmission is not that good. But it's a powerful and durable engine that will never let you down, it has quite a lot of power for a car like this and offers a great driving experience.

We don't like the driving comfort of the vehicle itself, but it's not about the engine. The vehicle feels bumpy, uncomfortable, and unsafe on the road, especially if you want to drive at a decent speed on the highway. But given the base engine was the 1-liter EcoBoost, the 2-liter Duratec looks now like a savior for the model.

How long will the 2.0L Ti-VCT engine last in your Ford EcoSport?

So, speaking about longevity, this is the most important advantage of the engine. The unit is pretty durable and can live up to 200,000 miles without any major breakdowns or big problems. You will still need to maintain it well and also forget about any possible aggressive driving to ensure its normal lifespan.

One more thing is that this engine comes with a pinch of salt in it and we'll tell you more about it in the next section of this article.

We've also seen owners of the Focuses and EcoSports powered by this engine who told us that they had to repair their engines after heavy damages at 50-70 thousand miles. This is ridiculously little for the non-turbocharged engine with such power and displacement.

But we've also seen happy owners of the Focuses with more than 300K miles on the cars with no major problems. EcoSport has been sold in the US since 2018, so we don't have that many records about its longevity. But the same engine was used in the Focus, so we may extend our research to give you more relevant information.

What are the common problems with the 2.0L engine in the EcoSport?

Unfortunately, this section is standard for all engines that we describe. Some units have this section the size of the whole article while some are better and only take a couple of paragraphs. But problems are OK for any car, so don't take them too seriously. But still, you should bear in mind that the engine you want to buy is problematic and can break sometimes needing a lot of investment.

So, here are the possible common problems you will get with the 2-liter engine in the Ford EcoSport:

1. Buildup in the manifolds

Well, any direct-injection engine will have some buildup over time. It means that the valves and spark plugs as well as other parts in the head of the engine will not be able to work properly. They will be covered in some dirt that is quite hard to clean.

This is the most common issue with the 2-liter Duratec engine that you will find in the EcoSport. And it doesn't depend much on what type of fuel you use or how often you change filters. Your vehicle will still need some cleaning and it may cost quite a lot of money.

2. Piston rings issues

After 70,000 miles, you are likely to notice that the oil level in your Duratec engine drops. If you don't add oil when it's under the minimum line, this may just kill the engine in some hours. The reason for this problem is usually in piston rings.

The rings keep failing gradually and until the car reaches 100K miles, they start leaking oil into the combustion chamber. The oil then burns and forms a slightly noticed smoke from the exhaust pipe. But the worst thing is that the oil drops in level in the engine and it may have bad effects on the unit.

3. Timing chain problems

The manufacturer doesn't specify any certain mileage or time period when you need to replace the timing chain in this vehicle. But after all, the timing chain stretches at least after 150,000 miles.

The stretched chain will lead to rattling in your engine and it may also lead to jumping of the timing mechanism which will ruin synchronization in the engine. This is deadly dangerous for the 2.0L Duratec, so never ignore that rattling sound.

4. Cracked head problem

At high mileage, the head may crack and it will result in coolant leaks inside your engine. Coolant will get into your oil and dilute it. It will destroy the properties of the oil quickly and you will not even know about it.

Also, the spoilt oil will not lubricate the engine properly and this will lead to its quick death if the problem isn't noticed on time.

What should you do to prolong the life of the 2.0L EcoSport engine?

It's not that hard to make this engine live longer. All you need is just to maintain it optimally. Never buy cheap parts and bad oil because it will kill the engine faster. You should also keep an eye on any changes and listen to any new sounds that your engine makes. Once you hesitate if the engine works well, just visit the dealer or the repair shop and have things sorted out.

One more important thing is the PowerShift transmission. Ensure it works well and has the optimally operating clutch. Otherwise, it may not only die but also kill the engine.

Final words

We love the 2-liter Duratec Ti-VCT engine. It seems just fine with all the power and torque it offers. We don't really like the EcoSport model because it's small and not very comfortable. But if you just need such a vehicle for your young active life, then why not take a chance with the new 2022 Ford EcoSport. At least, you won't have many problems with the engine for a lot of years.