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Before you buy a used Ford Kuga (I).

2008–2012 · Petrol / Diesel · 2 engines

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

Ford Kuga (I), real photo of this generation
M 93 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

All versions

Sheets the catalogue links to all 2 of its engines.

  • Suspension, lights and campaigns on the Kuga IKnown weak points
    Period mentioned
    2008–2012
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

2.5 Duratec Turbo

Petrol

We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.

2.0 TDCi

Diesel

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Ford Kuga (I)
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
2.5 Duratec TurboPetrolFewest documented11 with conditions4
2.0 TDCiDiesel22 with conditions4

According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 2.5 Duratec Turbo (Petrol).

By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Petrol.

We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.

Official recalls: ask before you pay

A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Ford dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Ford airbag and seat-belt recalls (2001–2026)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford brake recalls (2001–2026)Brakes

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford engine, transmission and software recalls (2000–2026)Powertrain and engine management

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2002–2026)Electrical and electronic systems

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry

On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 2 checked

Known weak points

  • Look out for: Shock absorbers and springs at the roadworthiness test and steering from the eighth year; blowing bulbs (voltage spikes, fixed by software); wheel bearings, alternators, battery and starter (especially 2008); a bonnet that flutters at speed; more oil leakage with age; on diesels, air-flow meter and particulate filter.

    Ask them to check: Check the campaigns by VIN; check suspension, wheel bearings and leaks.

DPF / EGR / turbo / flywheel

  • Look out for: 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.

    Ask them to check: 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.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

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