KNOWN FAULTS · Ford

Known faults for the Ford S-Max / Galaxy (II).

2015–2023 · Petrol / Hybrid / 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 / 2.0 EcoBoost (Petrol)

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 / 2.0 EcoBoost (Petrol) · 2.5 Hybrid (Hybrid) · 2.0 TDCi / 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.

Lights, brakes, oil leaks and campaigns on the S-Max IIKnown weak points

Engine / equipment: Ford S-Max II and Galaxy (2015–2023, petrol, hybrid and diesel)
Period mentioned: 2015–2023
Symptoms: Lights and indicators at the roadworthiness test, brake hoses and discs wearing early, oil leaks at high mileage, interior plastics that scratch and a centre console that breaks.
Possible cause described: Recalls: rusty rear-arm bolts (risk of breaking), the 2.0 diesel fuel sensor and a slipping clutch on manual EcoBoosts that can break the pressure plate (fire risk).
Check for the garage: Check campaigns by VIN; check the oil level; check lights and brakes.
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: 2.0 TDCi / EcoBlue (Diesel)

Applies if: Only the 2.0 TDCi (until 2018), 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: 2.0 TDCi / 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.