KNOWN FAULTS · Ford
Known faults for the Ford Kuga (III).
2019–2026 · Petrol / Hybrid / Plug-in hybrid / Diesel
Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.
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7 known faults with sources
Engines: 1.5 EcoBoost (Petrol)
Applies if: Bulletin for the US Escape, the Kuga's twin, built up to 16/9/2024.
Over-temperature warning under hard acceleration caused by machining chips in the cylinder headCooling
- Engine / equipment
- Kuga (III) 1.5 EcoBoost (Escape in the US)
- Period mentioned
- 2023–2025
- Symptoms
- Under full throttle or climbing a hill loaded, the coolant over-temperature warning appears and the engine light comes on, with P1285 or P1299; the coolant level is fine.
- Possible cause described
- Machining chips trapped in the cylinder head partly block a coolant passage next to cylinder head temperature sensor 2 (CHT2). Ford describes it in technical message SSM 54114 for 2023–2025 Escape 1.5 EcoBoost cars built up to 16/9/2024: the cooling system is flushed and, if it continues, the cylinder head is inspected.
- Check for the garage
- With the over-temperature warning, stop in a safe place and let it cool; do not open the reservoir when hot. At the garage, mention codes P1285/P1299 and message SSM 54114.
- 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.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.5 EcoBoost (Petrol) · 2.5 Hybrid (Hybrid) · 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid (Plug-in hybrid) · 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue (Diesel)
Applies if: Bulletin for the 2021 US Escape, the Kuga's twin.
Front flutter or rattle above 105 km/h caused by the active grille shuttersBodywork
- Engine / equipment
- Kuga (III) (Escape in the US)
- Period mentioned
- 2021
- Symptoms
- From about 105 km/h a plastic flutter or rattle is heard at the front; at lower speeds it does not sound.
- Possible cause described
- The radiator's active grille shutters vibrate in the airflow. Ford describes it in technical message SSM 50255 for 2021 Escapes built from 10/8 to 20/9/2021: the garage opens and closes the shutters with the diagnostic tool to see whether the noise changes.
- Check for the garage
- Note the speed at which it starts. At the garage, have them move the active grille shutters with the diagnostic tool to see whether the noise changes. Ford says the car is safe to drive.
- 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.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.5 EcoBoost (Petrol) · 2.5 Hybrid (Hybrid) · 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid (Plug-in hybrid) · 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue (Diesel)
Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.
Plug-in hybrid battery and electronics on the Kuga IIIHigh-voltage battery
- Engine / equipment
- Ford Kuga III (petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and diesel)
- Period mentioned
- 2019 onwards
- Symptoms
- On the plug-in hybrid, a battery fire risk from the charging management; weak 12 V batteries, slow infotainment and interior noises; owners mention water in the footwell from the heater air intake.
- Possible cause described
- The plug-in recall replaces parts or updates the charge controller; early cars had no battery venting and hot gases could reach other parts.
- Check for the garage
- Check the plug-in hybrid campaign by VIN and follow the charging instructions; test the 12 V battery.
- 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.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.5 EcoBoost (Petrol)
Applies if: Same three-cylinder 1.5 EcoBoost as the US Escape; the recalls cited are US ones: ask Ford by VIN.
Cracked injectors on the three-cylinder 1.5 EcoBoost: petrol leakFuel system
- Engine / equipment
- Three-cylinder 1.5 EcoBoost (in the US, 2020–2022 Escape and 2021–2023 Bronco Sport; in Europe, the same engine as the Kuga III and Focus IV)
- Period mentioned
- 2020–2023
- Symptoms
- A petrol smell in the engine bay or under the car, engine warning light and, in the worst case, fire under the bonnet.
- Possible cause described
- The fuel injectors can crack and let petrol out onto hot parts. Ford recalled cars in the US in November 2022, March 2024 and again in 2025: the fix is software that detects the damaged injector and reduces power; Ford says the underlying condition may still exist.
- Check for the garage
- With a petrol smell, do not start it and take it to the garage; ask Ford by VIN whether your car has the update or an equivalent campaign.
- Cost cited in the source
- Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 2.5 Hybrid (Hybrid) · 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid (Plug-in hybrid)
Applies if: Same 2.5 hybrid engine as the US Escape; the recall cited is a US one: ask Ford by VIN.
Engine failure with fire risk on the 2.5 hybridEngine
- Engine / equipment
- 2.5 Atkinson-cycle engine of the hybrids and plug-ins (in the US, 2020–2023 Escape, 2022–2023 Maverick and 2021–2023 Lincoln Corsair; in Europe, Kuga III)
- Period mentioned
- 2020–2023
- Symptoms
- Unexpected engine noises, loss of power or smoke; if the engine breaks, oil or fuel vapour can escape onto hot parts.
- Possible cause described
- Isolated manufacturing defects can make the engine fail prematurely. Ford recalled these cars in the US in 2022 (22V-484) and widened the campaign to 125,322 in 2023 (23S27), which replaces the first one; cars already fixed under the first need the new remedy.
- Check for the garage
- If noises, power loss or smoke appear, stop and switch off the engine as soon as possible; ask Ford by VIN whether there is a campaign for your car.
- Cost cited in the source
- Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue (Diesel)
Applies if: Built up to 19 January 2023.
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.
Sources from the original database
Gebrauchtwagenberater: Ford recall for several diesel modelsGebrauchtwagenberater: Ford Kuga MK2, typical problemsGebrauchtwagenberater: Ford Kuga MK3, typical problems
View full entryEngines: 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue (Diesel)
Applies if: Only the 2.0 EcoBlue (oil-immersed belt); confirm the interval for your version at the garage.
Oil-immersed timing belt on the 2.0 EcoBlueTiming system
- Engine / equipment
- 2.0 EcoBlue diesel: Transit, Transit Custom, Ranger, Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy, Kuga and Focus
- Period mentioned
- 2016 onwards
- Symptoms
- Often with no prior warning: belt debris in the oil, an oil-pressure warning or a broken belt with serious engine damage.
- Possible cause described
- Diesel from unfinished particulate-filter regenerations gets into the oil and degrades the belt, which runs in it; in extreme cases material comes off and blocks the oil-pump strainer. Ford cut the belt, tensioner and idler change from 10 years or 240,000 km to 6 years or 160,000 km on the Transit and Transit Custom.
- Check for the garage
- Follow the new 6-year or 160,000 km interval, check the belt condition and whether the oil level rises (diesel dilution); avoid trips that cut regenerations short.
- 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.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines for this model
- 1.5 EcoBoostPetrol
- 2.5 HybridHybrid
- 2.5 Plug-in HybridPlug-in hybrid
- 1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlueDiesel