BBC Watchdog shines light on Ford EcoBoost wet belt problem

This follows a recall of 140,000 Focus and EcoSport models in the United States

BBC Watchdog shines light on Ford EcoBoost wet belt problem
Photo: Bigstock

The problems associated with Ford EcoBoost engines have been well documented over recent years. Customers have been left with big bills and without a car due to damage caused by premature failure of the wet belt.

Ford said the belt would last 150,000 or ten years, but later issued advice for a precautionary change at 100,000 miles.

Many Ford owners are experiencing problems much sooner, even on cars with full service history.

The BBC’s consumer investigation programme Watchdog has been reporting on the problem for years, and on this week’s show, broadcast during an episode of The One Show, Matt Allwright shone a light on two recent cases of wet belt failure.

One couple spent £15,000 on a four-year-old Focus with 50,000 miles on the clock and full service history. An engine failure left them with a £3,000 bill, which Ford refused to pay because the car had been serviced by an independent garage.

Matt also spoke with Natalie, whose seven-year-old Focus suffered a wet belt failure at 52,000 miles. Ford agreed to make a ‘goodwill’ contribution to the cost of a replacement engine, leaving her with a £2,700 bill.

Speaking about the 100,000-mile/ten-year advice, an independent consulting forensic engineer told Matt Allwright: “[Ford] should be confident that their products are going to last for that amount of time and service. It’s just not realistic.”

He referenced the recent recall in the United States, which will see 139,730 Focus and EcoSport models fitted with a replacement oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge, and said: “What they’re saying in that recall is that they’re going to replace it with a modified one so as to prevent or reduce the likelihood of teeth coming off the belt.

”It’s up to them to put it right.”

In response, Ford told Watchdog it is aware of the issues some customers are experiencing with EcoBoost engines and it will help those with premature timing belt failure on cars with a full service history and up to seven years old.

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18 Comments

  1. same problem with the 2 litre eco blue engine fitted in transits, some are on recall others are not , apparently 67 plate are but 68 aren’t but they have not been modified or if they have it doesn’t work, now it looks like they’ve brought the change time down by 4 years and 99400 miles, I think Ford should stand by there product and help customers out! just because a van has been serviced by an independent should have no bearing on the problem

    Reply
    • It just shows you Ford know there is a big issue problem with the wet belt design that they have brought it down from 150,000 to 100,000 to get the wet belt replaced my 20 plate transit custom has 60,000 miles and the wet belt has snapped Ford are not interested

      Reply
  2. The dtc450 powershift transmission is a similar argument in America or Australia if you have a problem Ford’s pay for repairs we fit about 30 transmissions a year on Powershift we have a failure on a Kuga that lasted 8500 miles all be it 3 years the first transmission (original)lasted 40000 ish miles we are being sued for money back and fords will not help stating its 100000miles or 12 months .

    Reply
  3. Surely block exemption covers this? When I worked for Audi we were not permitted to decline goodwill if services where done on time at a VAT registered garage.

    Reply
  4. Ford Ranger bi-turbo 28000 miles wet belt gone FORD NOT INTEREST

    Reply
  5. FORD RANGER 2020 28000 MILES WET BELT GONE, FORD NOT INTERESTED,WHY IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE BREAKS FAILED ON MOTORWAY,SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED.REMEMBER THIS POST

    Reply
  6. i had that on a custom , the crap from the belt destroyed the vac pump !! customer had no warning lucky he remembered where the hand brake was, amazingly he had his belt changed on a recall, after he had chased Ford for 9 months that is

    Reply
  7. There are also big issues with the head gaskets. I have a 5year old Ford Kuga and it now needs a new engine because the engine block has cracked due to the Eco Boost.
    I just don’t have the money to fix it. I bought this car for just under 30k 5years ago brand new and now its worth 2k scrap with 80,000 on the clock.

    Reply
  8. My Ford is a 2019 plate and has not done I’ve 40,000 miles. The wet belt has gone. Good job I have Autocare with Arnold Clark otherwise this would have been something I could not afford being a pensioner. Ford should be held accountable for this.

    Reply
    • My Transit custom 69 plate 53,000 vacuum pumps locked up the breaks. Which is a sign the wet belt is pulling itself to bits. Thankfully I wasn’t on a motorway. But comes out of no where, no warnings. Really really dangerous. Can’t believe there is not a recall.

      Reply
  9. Where would I stand if a car was purchased at a main dealer and had just undergone it’s 10 year service but the Wet belt wasn’t replaced? Only finding out now 7 months later that this is the case (2013 Fiesta Titanium). Waiting for the garage to call back but if they won’t take responsibility the quote from the service department to change it is £1700!!!

    Reply
  10. Have just had my timin* belt go at 70,000 it previous was a fleet car asked for customer support only to be told because Ford had not had the se4vices completed on time they will not help with any costs? How can that be they have not followed the right servicing I was told it had full service history but now they are saying as they had two late services they can’t help? Can I do anything about this? Cost is £1,700 had the ca4 just over a year

    Reply
  11. We bought a 2013 CMax 1lt Ecoboost 4 years ago, and it has just blown the engine due to this common issue. My sister happened to buy a 2014 Focus 1lt Ecoboost last year, and within 3 weeks the cam belt snapped due to the same overheating problem. What are the odds of two siblings experiencing the same issue with identical engines? I’d love Ford to offer an explanation for that.

    Reply
  12. My Wet belt snapped on ford transit custom 64,000 miles 5 years old with full service history, just paid £7.000 for nee engine so now going at ford for reimbursement

    Reply
  13. I just booked mine in today. I have closed my Ford service account and gone to a reliable independant garage! My Fiesta is 10 years old and 30k mileage.

    Reply
  14. HI Ford are saying the wet belt problem is only in the usa
    but why are we having the problem in the uk

    Reply
  15. I have a 68 plate transit and the wet belt broke today. Left me on a main rd( luckily not a motorway) with no brakes because of it. Now looking at a hefty bill that I can’t afford and losing work.

    Reply
  16. My wet belt broke today and left me with no brakes on a main road. Luckily not on motorway. I know have a hefty bill that I can’t afford and losing work and money.

    Reply

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