KNOWN FAULTS · Ford

Known faults for the Ford Kuga (II).

2012–2019 · Petrol / Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

4 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost (Petrol) · 2.0 EcoBoost (Petrol)

Applies if: Only the four-cylinder 1.5 EcoBoost.

Block cracks on the 1.5 and 2.0 EcoBoost with coolant lossCooling

Engine / equipment: Four-cylinder 1.5 EcoBoost and 2.0 EcoBoost: Kuga, Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy, Focus and C-Max
Period mentioned: Approx. 2014–2019
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible leak, rough running on cold start, white smoke and, in serious cases, engine failure.
Possible cause described: Hairline cracks in the block let coolant into the cylinders; it mainly affects older 1.5 units and, less often, the 2.0. Ford revised the block in mid-2019.
Check for the garage: Watch the coolant level; if it drops with no external leak, run a pressure and combustion-gas test and check the spark plugs. Ask Ford by VIN about warranty actions.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost (Petrol)

Applies if: Only the 1.6 EcoBoost built from 8/5/2012 to 21/11/2014.

Overheating and cracked cylinder head on the 1.6 EcoBoostCooling

Engine / equipment: 1.6 EcoBoost: Focus, C-Max, Kuga, Fiesta ST and Transit Connect
Period mentioned: 2010–2014
Symptoms: The temperature rises, coolant is lost and, in extreme cases, oil sprays under pressure from a crack in the head with a risk of fire in the engine bay.
Possible cause described: Lack of coolant circulation causes local overheating of the head. In 2018 Ford recalled cars built between 2010 and 2014: it checks engine and cooling parts and adds a coolant level sensor with a warning.
Check for the garage: Check with Ford by VIN that the recall was done; watch the coolant level and stop at the temperature warning.
Cost cited in the source: Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.5 / 2.0 TDCi (Diesel)

Applies if: Only the 2.0 TDCi, which is the PSA DW10 engine.

2.0/2.2 HDi DPF, EGR, turbo and flywheelDPF / EGR / turbo / flywheel

Engine / equipment: PSA 2.0 HDi (DW10) and 2.2 HDi (DW12), including the 2.0/2.2 JTD in the Fiat Ulysse and Scudo and the Lancia Phedra
Period mentioned: 1998–2015
Symptoms: Particulate filter warning and power loss; rough idle from a dirty EGR; vibration and knocks when starting or in low gears (dual-mass flywheel); smoke or hesitation from injectors at high mileage.
Possible cause described: The engine itself is very robust, but the ancillaries are not: the DPF with Eolys additive clogs in town use, the EGR and its cooler fill with soot, the variable-geometry turbo sticks and the dual-mass flywheel wears. The 136 hp versions have more problems than the 138 to 163 hp ones.
Check for the garage: Read the DPF status and additive level, check the EGR and cooler, check the dual-mass flywheel at start-up and measure injector balance rates.
Cost cited in the source: Forced DPF regeneration: €100–150; new DPF: €800–1,500; rebuilt injector: €200–250A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 120,000–180,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Engines: 1.5 / 2.0 TDCi (Diesel)

Applies if: Mainly the more recent 2.0 TDCi versions.

Ford diesel particulate filter: regeneration and emissionsExhaust and emissions

Engine / equipment: Kuga 2.0 TDCi and 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue; 1.5 TDCi and EcoBlue in the Focus, C-Max, Transit Connect and Transit Courier
Period mentioned: 2014–2023
Symptoms: Filter regenerations at excessive temperature, a damaged filter and particle emissions above the limit: the car can fail the emissions part of the roadworthiness test.
Possible cause described: Because of how the filter regenerates, particle emissions can rise over the years. Ford recalled several diesels (code 24E06): it recalibrates the regeneration, inspects the filter and replaces it if damaged. The German guide calls the filter the Achilles heel of modern Ford diesels.
Check for the garage: Ask Ford by VIN whether recall 24E06 is outstanding; check the filter and the regeneration history before the roadworthiness test.
Cost cited in the source: Free under the recall; before that, many owners paid for the filter themselves.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.