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Ford Mondeo 1.0 EcoBoost Trend common faults.

2014–2019, hatchback, petrol, 125 HP.

The fault list covers: M1CA, M1CB engine, IB6, MMT6 transmission.

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4 fault write-ups. All are important. 4 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

4 important faults

critical1

1.0 EcoBoost: coolant disappears internally and the cylinder head can crack

critical

On this engine the coolant disappears internally, with no external trace. It starts in two places: the material of the plastic degas hose running to the expansion tank ages and cracks, or the connection of the coolant hose to the cylinder head lets through. In a more severe case the degas chamber of the cylinder head itself cracks or warps, and then the coolant seeps into the combustion chamber or into the oil. Because no puddle forms, the level drops quietly and the engine overheats: the temperature gauge starts to climb mainly after a longer motorway stretch. The further signs are white steam from the exhaust, a sweetish smell, and misfiring that gets worse when warm. Ford issued a service bulletin for this (19-2346) and an extended warranty for certain model years as well. The coolant hose and the degas tank are available in a revised design, and engines built around 2016 and later already have the better material connection and tank. If the fault is found early and the head has not warped, the repair is replacing the hose and the tank, between 50 and 300 euro. If it is found late, the head gasket or the whole cylinder head follows, and that is 2,500 to 5,500 euro. The leak is reported above 80,000 km and the cracking of the head above 100,000 km.

above 80,000 km50–5,500 EUR

What to check

  • Look at the level in the expansion tank and ask how much has to be topped up
  • Look for a puddle or a streak under the engine: if the level drops with no trace, the leak is internal
  • Unscrew the oil filler cap and look for mayonnaise-like residue, which is coolant in the oil
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive3

MMT6 manual: worn shift mechanism, hard shifting when cold

expensive

The gearbox itself is reliable, but the shift mechanism wears noticeably between 100,000 and 150,000 km. Shifting becomes stiff, and it is most obvious when cold: the lever does not want to find its place, or the gear only goes in with force.

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At high mileage the synchros on the first two gears wear out, and then the shift grates. The gearbox comes with a dual-mass flywheel, which is not the most durable part either.

between 100,000 and 150,000 km

What to check

  • Set off from cold: both first and second must engage without snagging
  • Stop and select reverse: it must not grate or need force
  • While rolling, change down into second: this is where worn synchros are audible
2 more steps in the write-up

1.0 EcoBoost: the wet timing belt breaks down early

expensive

The timing belt runs in oil, under its cover, and cannot be seen from outside. Contaminants building up in the oil attack the belt material, so it breaks down early if oil changes are skipped or the oil level drops below the minimum on the dipstick. Fragments of the disintegrating belt end up in the sump and can block the oil pickup, after which the engine is left without oil pressure.

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The early signs are a rattle on cold start, slowly rising oil consumption and the oil pressure warning light. The factory replacement interval is ten years or 150,000 miles, but Haynes recommends replacing it at least two years and 50,000 miles earlier. A professional belt change costs more than GBP 2,000, and that is less work than cleaning out the sump, the oil pickup and the lubrication system after the belt has already broken up.

In engines built after December 2019 Ford switched to a timing chain. The water pump is driven by the same belt, so a failure of the water pump bearing can take the belt with it. This is an interference engine, so when the belt snaps the valves and the pistons meet.

What to check

  • Start it from cold and listen to the first seconds: a rattle is a sign the belt is breaking down
  • Check the level and condition of the oil on the dipstick: a level below minimum speeds up the breakdown
  • Ask for the service book and the oil change invoices: here the skipped change is the cause
2 more steps in the write-up

IB6 manual: little oil, leaks, and the synchro noise that follows

expensive

The gearbox is light and compact and reliable, but the small oil quantity makes it sensitive to leaks: not much has to escape before the level becomes critical.

Show the rest

Most complaints about synchro noise actually come from this, from the low oil level rather than from the synchro itself. Beyond that the input shaft bearing can wear out and reverse can fail. Every version comes with a dual-mass flywheel, which is not the most durable part.

What to check

  • Look at the gearbox housing from underneath: fresh oil means a leak, and here that is the main cause
  • Ask when the oil level was last checked and whether it has ever been topped up
  • While rolling, change down into second and third: grating means worn synchros
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Ford Mondeo 1.0 EcoBoost Trend

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall4 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 10 March 2023

23V162000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS10 March 2023 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

Risk: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.

The authority's notice

18V167000STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BARSTEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR12 March 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.

Risk: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.

The authority's notice

17V427000POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTERPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER6 July 2017 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.

Risk: If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S16.

The authority's notice

16V874000SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLYSEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY5 December 2016 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 27, 2016, to September 28, 2016. The left rear seat backs pivot pins may have been improperly welded.

Risk: During a crash, the improper welds may fail, allowing any stowed luggage to move into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left hand, second row seat back frame, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S43.

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

2 engines · 2 transmissions

M1CA · 1.0 FLH

92 kW (125 HP) · petrol

IB6 · 6-speed manual

manual · 6 speed

Torque limit285 Nm
MakerFord/Getrag

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it. More than one engine code is possible. The fault list shows the faults of each. More than one transmission is possible. The gear count does not tell them apart. The code is on the side of the transmission.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
Trend
Body
hatchback
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
998 cc
Power
92 kW (125 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2014–2019

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years
All Mk5 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms