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 EcoBoost engines AND automatic gearboxes (not manuals) be 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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55 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
    • Hi Allan,
      Totally agree with you. What have you done with your vehicle? Did you get a new engine? Not sure what the process was in the U.S. for the class action lawsuit. Did enough people get together? I know people were involved in accidents….so maybe it was insurers lawyers??

      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
      • Hi Paul,
        I looked into the Ombudsman as thinking of going down that route. Seems they are funded by the Manufacturers not an independent body. Let me know how you get on. Are you aware of what happened in the U.S.?

        Reply
        • Mate I had the same, I’m taking the fight to them. What sa your result

          Reply
      • Ford transit tipper 66 plate ad blu on its 4 engine.last one fitted Jan 19 blown again June 8 vans down 105000 miles on clock been in out garage over 3 years don’t buy one.

        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
    • I’ve hated Ford since we bought a new Ford Galaxy in 1997 ,so many problems , in the end we swapped it for a Citroen Synergy people carrier.
      After that which was pretty good we changed to buying old Mercedes Benz at least 10 years old for a couple of thousand quid or so , saved so much money. With our retirement and wanting a camper van it was a no brainer to buy a 2002 Sprinter high top long wheel base already converted. It’s on 200,000 miles now and will obviously do another 200,000 miles , don’t give your hard earned to these con merchants

      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
    • 71 Plate, 97K Wet Belt snaps yes I purchased it on the advice of 150K or 10 years, had I of known this was going to change I’d of bought a different brand! Regardless of Ford’s agreeing to cover this (yet to find out) I find it disgusting but not surprising they are trying to worm out of paying others! Yet another big company allowed to dictate how it performs! There should be law in place that acts quickly to ensure consumers are protected…..oh yes there already is under the Trade Description Act which states product must be sold “fit for purpose” of which a Wet Belt clearly isn’t! Even Ford sales team agree with their customers! Ford you should be ashamed and I’m sure Mr Ford would be turning in his Grave!!!!!

      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
  17. My Ford focus ecoboost engine has gone while on holiday. I certainly cannot afford to get this fixed. It has done 69000 miles. Ford don’t care and said they will do nothing to rectify they’re poor manufacturing. I foolishly thought Ford made good cars. I’m now left without a car to check on my disabled mother.

    Reply
    • I absolutely disgusted to be coming across this issue my focus is 67 plate and has done 65000miles. My belt went on holiday with my 5 month old and 3 year old in the car. Luckily/unluckily it was gridlocked otherwise we were on a 60 road! This is so dangerous when apparently it doesn’t need changing until 10 years? My plan was to sell the car, I was looking to upgrade my Ford to another bigger Ford but definitely won’t be doing so. This is shocking. This is literally robbing us!

      Reply
  18. I have just had the same problem with my 1.0 eco boost Ford Focus 18 plate. The car has 70k miles, the oil pump and timing belt have failed and damaged the engine. The fix is to replace the engine entirely. Contacted Ford but they won’t help because the car wasn’t purchased from a Ford dealer and because of the age. Contradicting the statement made by Ford on this posting. The worst thing is it’s still on finance with just under 9k left I have to pay for a car that doesn’t work and Ford knew the problem existed but did nothing.

    Reply
  19. We are getting nowhere with Ford. Ford Ranger wet belt failed at 29,000 miles and Ranger has a full service history and a service plan with a Ford dealership. Dealership were certain Ford Customer Services would cover the costs, but they wouldn’t as no record of oil used on the very first service (before we bought the Ranger) and that garage no longer in existence. Brake master cylinder failed when under warranty last year and was replaced at our Ford dealership and they are now saying they inspected the wet belt at that time and there was no issue. We have had services done at the Ford dealership since then. No-one takes responsibility. Customer Services tell us they are not technicians/ mechanics and don’t understand the complexities and have no control at all over dealerships and how they wish to handle the matter. No faith in Ford at all one the handling of this issue and no idea where to go to get help.

    Reply
    • We are all in the same boat. Looks like Ford is going to use any excuse to not rectify this issue. We have a 2020 Ford Ranger. 2 months out of extended warranty. Vacuum pump gone at 59k. Taking to get fixed elsewhere as engine hasn’t actually stopped working but obviously wet belt is on it way out. My husband is a precision engineer and he changed the oil. ……From Ford….’Whilst it is not essential to use an authorised repairer, we do need invoices to show the mileage and dates the vehicle was serviced.

      We have a record of everything what type of oil and filter.

      Looking at the U.S. it takes someone to have an accident then file a class action lawsuit.

      Reply
      • I stopped buying Ford in 2000 after all the problems with a Galaxy.
        Ford simply don’t care , they have a strategy of typing up what you tell them , but then they do nothing.
        We changed to buying 10 year old Mercedes cars for about 2 to 3,000 pounds from an independent Mercedes specialist.
        Usually with about 100,000 on the clock .
        We’ve saved a fortune and really enjoyed the drive!

        Reply
  20. I work for a company and their Ford Transit 360 Leader Ecoblue, 69 registration Wetbelt has gone to soon, we have tried to go down the root of receiving compensation from Fords, and due to being unable to provide what type off oil was used on one off the services done at a local garage, they have refused to contribute anything towards this. I wondered if anyone had been in the same situation? and if anyone knew off anything happening in the UK /Europe about this?

    Reply
    • Hi our Company Ford Transit 360 Leader Ecoblue 2020 registration done the same thing last year at 35000 miles and Ford wouldn’t cover under warranty because we were 2000 miles over on our first service due to not being able to get the van booked in as everywhere was fully booked.The van broke down 8000 miles after it was Fully serviced and was diagnosed needing a new Engine which cost £7500. We took Ford to the Motoring Ombudsman and the Case is still ongoing although we are not too hopeful because of the late service I feel you may have a better case with having the services on time al be it at local garage.

      Reply
    • Hi Tasha. I’ve sent Ford customer care proof of what oil was used but because my husband changed the oil being a fully qualified precision engineer they won’t help us. The vehicle is a 2020 2.2 Ford Ranger. Ford know the storm is brewing so they are finding anyway out. Look at what it took for them to recall vehicles in the U.S……accidents and a class action lawsuit.

      Reply
  21. I had terrible problems with a Ford Galaxy 20 years ago .
    Ford didn’t want to know . I now only buy Mercedes usually at about 10 years old for 2 to 3,000 pounds run them for a few years then sell them .
    Such a cheap way to run super cars . I’ll never waste my money on anything made by Ford again

    Reply
  22. Ford are a disgrace, mines just gone on a 2L 3 year old Wildtrak and needs a new énergie e at over £10k and Ford want me to pay for it !!
    See you in court Ford

    Reply
    • Sorry to hear Dan. Our engine is still running even though Ford have said it needs a new engine. Vacuum pump went due to wet belt. Other garages are fixing this a lot; £500 parts £1000 Labour.

      Reply
      • Where are you getting your engine fixed? Our garage say that it cannot fix it and a new engine is needed at £5k plus!!

        Reply
  23. . My 65 plate ecoboost engine went last November due to cooling system then after replacing, the engine went. Cost a fortune, ford tried to say it wasn’t under warranty. Looks like all models have problems.

    Reply
  24. I have a Ford Ranger 69 plate the wet belt went at 83000 miles, it was fulkly serviced however the very first service was 1200 miles late and Ford have used this as an excuse to get out of assisting in any way shape or form. Its an absolute disgrace and should be brought to the attention of the general public as everyone in the industry knoows that this is a major problem

    Reply
  25. I have had the same thing with a Ranger have had to pay over £9k to get it back on the road and Ford just washed their hands of it as the very first service (which was before I even bought the vehicle) was 1200 miles late – Disgraceful and needs to be brought to light

    Reply
  26. WHY in USA Ford Recall vehicles and repair/replace this belt system and yet UK Ford aren’t interested, This should be televised to shock embarrassing UK Ford into action, What a disgusting attitude to take with UK Ford 100/1000 Customers,Hope they all change car brands and leave Ford in a production/Sales MASSIVE reduction to open there eyes and take ownership of their “R&D” incompetent and lack of testing before they bring there engineering catastrophic floor in fitting theres to ANY engine SHAME ON YOU FORD UK

    Reply
  27. 67 plate, 1 litre, petrol 6 gear Focus 62k on the clock, wet belt failed on the M6 yesterday at speed. No prior warning and no warning lights until oil light just before. Thankfully in road works but lost power, horrific. Engine scrapped, 5k bill if we need other parts if it has wiped these out too. I had no idea about this problem until yesterday after lots of googling. After the event and a massive bill when they are recalling these exact cars in the US. Even if a warning was sent to Ford drivers that would have been better, Ford seem happy to wait for a death rather than damage their brand. Garage have said they have seen a lot of these. My second and last Ford.

    Reply
  28. Same issue as everyone else here. 69 plate Ford focus with 36k on the clock. Has full service history (although not with Ford). Wet belt has disintegrated leading to engine damage. Waiting to hear from the Ford garage as to whether it’s an expensive new belt or an extortionate new engine. Either is unacceptable in a car of that mileage. Garage didn’t think I’d get anything from Ford as it wasn’t bought from or serviced by them. Will definitely chase Ford and go to the ombudsman but sounds like it won’t have much impact.

    Reply
  29. Rebekah is yours a manual petrol? I’m looking at a new engine and possibly clutch, turbo etc etc. 36k is no mileage at all.

    Reply
  30. Another blow for Ford EcoBoost owners. Seems like the wet belt issue is still causing problems. Hopefully, Ford will take action to resolve this once and for all. 🚗🔧

    Reply
  31. So you know, Ford hasn’t done anything here in the States but mail out recall notices. So far I’ve received two telling me the “fix” will be within six months. One year+ later we’re all still waiting for Ford to stand behind their worthless product. Old adage from when I was a kid still holds true. Ford=Found On Road Dead. Not one day passes w/o me talking crap on Ford to whoever will listen.It’s the least we can all do. 😕😤

    Reply
  32. Absolutely disgusting I paid cinch £12150 for mine 23000 miles.I’ve only done 3000 in two years.mileage still only 24700miles.now I’m scared to go anywhere in it.part exchange price is very low now.
    As everyone is aware of eco boom !!!!!!!
    dealers don’t want them either? What would u do if me

    Reply
  33. My wife’s Ford fiesta 18 plate wet cam belt broke,had to join the AA to get it to a authorised dealer for the repair’it cost over £150 to join the AA(The AA engineer said it is a common fault with Fords that run the belts in oil). Fords wound not help with the repair because I missed one service but it had only done just over 40,000 miles .Repair cost me over £5000. This is a known problem and they should help with the repair cost.This is a manufactures design fault and they won’t admit it .Most manufactures have a recall,fords get away with it ,why? Ombudsman man can’t be doing his job.

    Reply
  34. Just had my wet belt replaced as a precaution. 2018 Focus ST Line X with 116000 miles.
    Expensive job – £1500 at the dealership. The car does mostly motorway mileage and hasn’t necessarily been serviced religiously, but always used the recommended oil. I know its a fairly complex replacement but Ford should be held accountable for this known problem and drop the price for customers who choose to replace the belt as a precaution.
    I find it laughable that will offer a “goodwill gesture” toward repairs “IF” the belt fails prematurely and the car has been serviced properly… surely it would make more sense for them to offer to replace the wet belt (for a reasonable price) before it failed.
    Better safe than sorry…

    Reply
  35. Sorry to read all your experiences, it makes for awful reading!

    I’m experiencing the same issue with Peugeot 5008

    Peugeot want £1,600 to fix the (known) problem with their wet belt unless I can provide the last three service invoices for the car (and even then won’t guarantee they’ll help with the costs).

    I can provide the two most recent service invoices during the time I’ve owned the car, but can’t get the third one they need, which was carried out by Cazoo (who have since gone into Administration) when they handed the car over to me in Feb 2022.

    The car has less than 50,000 miles on the clock and isn’t even 7 years old (belt should last 112,00 miles or 10 years) and has a full service history – even had the wet belt checked in June 2023, following an Emergency Recall, and was passed.

    I need a car and so I feel I have no other option than to pay 🙁

    Reply
  36. who should we speak to at Ford, we have a similar problem on ford ranger bi turbo50k miles 21 plate and ford dealership are looking for over 3k

    thanks

    Reply
  37. Ford Ranger 2021 plate. Breaks ceased without warning luckily for me whilst at Traffic Lights. All to do with wet timing belt breaking up and damaging engine. Vehicle was within 3 year warranty. Ford said warranty is void as no service history , I corrected them and provided them full service history, Ford implied it was still void as the service work was not carried out by Ford, I stated to Ford that my local Ford garages were giving me a 4/5 week lead time for service work so I went to a independent garage which I am legally allowed to do as long as they are VAT registered and had the service work done within a few days of being instructed to by the on-board infotainment system as instructed to do by the lease company. Ford then stated I missed the 50K warranty, I replied that will be because the vehicle has only done 35k… you could not make it up !
    They then come back to me and said I missed the 12.5k warranty to which I replied i had it serviced on 15k miles which is under the 24months stated which Ford replied the 1st service is due in 12.5k / 24 months whichever comes 1st. I then mentioned to Ford that the lease company advised me to follow the on-board infotainment system which I did and what is the point of the 1st service due warning light coming on if it is after the event then causing any warranty to be void !
    I also stated to Ford that their own Ford Pass App clearly states that the 1st service schedule is due on 12.5k or 24 months not .. clearly stating or ! Ford then backtracked and agreed that their app is very misleading and would look into this.. but guess what since then they can no longer speak to me because I got the vehicle through a 3rd party lease company. I won’t bore anyone with the follow on story for the last 4 months since then but basically lease company and Ford are stonewalling me and trying to break me. I am standing my ground.. I stopped the payments to the lease company 4 months ago and have categorically told them they are not getting another penny from me. They had 4months money of me whilst the vehicle was off the road and between Ford & Lease company before I decided enough was enough and stopped the payments now another 4 months on the issue still not resolved so lease company are chasing me for 4 months arrears. Countless letters, threats of bailiffs, endless phone calls from them causing me an awful lot of stress but I am standing my ground and have told them numerous times to please take me to court ! Ford want best part of £10k for a new engine to be fitted and I am refusing as it is a lease vehicle and I have done everything legally correct in way of service work as instructed by the lease company. I want Ford or the lease company to take me to court as I am 100% confident I will win and that way I will counter claim for all monies lost as well as the stress they have caused. I said to Lease Company as well as Ford that if they were honest end legally correct in this instant they would have taken me to court ages ago not still threatening all these months later

    Reply
  38. Hi scott, so my ranger same plate as yours, we believe this is what we are facing .
    we have been told by local garage to go to fords as the brake servo pump has failed suspected wet belt mines just hit 53,000

    Reply
  39. Just a point to add regarding Ford dealers stipulation about service intervals and if they are late they will not honour any good will gesture or compensation for the ongoing wet belt issue.
    How does Ford stand at present then.
    Today Tuesday Feb 18th 2025. Have a 3 week old Ranger that won’t run due to an Adblu issue.
    Ford assist towed the vehicle to a main dealer who have looked at the problem but said even under warranty guidelines cannot touch the vehicle for between 4 and 6 weeks due to current work load.This was the same answer after contacting several main dealers. The shortest being between 2 and 3 weeks.
    That being the case how do you get a service done “on time” anywhere inside the dealer network so as to ensure you have half a chance of “Ford” supporting you if you have an issue. The point is you have a service history but nobody at the time makes a note of why its late or who’s at fault.

    Reply
  40. ford transit jumbo 21 plate just over 77000 miles wet belt failure.Always been serviced at local ford garage.Vehicle was used 7 days week.I am self employed not earring any money now. Local ford garage and ford uk are a joke.PLEASE DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON A FORD

    Reply

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