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Before you buy a used Ford Kuga (III).

2019–2026 · Petrol / Hybrid / Plug-in hybrid / Diesel · 4 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 (III), real photo of this generation
Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 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 4 of its engines.

1.5 EcoBoost

Petrol

2.5 Hybrid · 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid

2.5 Hybrid (Hybrid) · 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid (Plug-in hybrid)

1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlue

Diesel

  • Ford diesel particulate filter: regeneration and emissionsExhaust and emissions
    Period mentioned
    2014–2023
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Built up to 19 January 2023.

  • Oil-immersed timing belt on the 2.0 EcoBlueTiming system
    Period mentioned
    2016 onwards
    Mileage mentioned
    What the sheet says: 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.

    Applies if: Only the 2.0 EcoBlue (oil-immersed belt); confirm the interval for your version at the garage.

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Ford Kuga (III)
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
1.5 EcoBoostPetrol44 with conditions8
2.5 HybridHybridFewest documented33 with conditions8
2.5 Plug-in HybridPlug-in hybridFewest documented33 with conditions8
1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlueDiesel44 with conditions8

According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 2.5 Hybrid (Hybrid), 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid (Plug-in hybrid).

By fuel type, the ones with the fewest documented faults are: Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid.

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.

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Ford steering recalls (2003–2026)Steering

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.

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Ford fuel-system recalls (2002–2026)Fuel system

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 electric and hybrid drive recalls (2010–2026)Electric powertrain

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.

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Ford wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2001–2026)Suspension and steering

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.

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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.

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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
Ford body, seat and fitting recalls (2001–2026)Bodywork

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 7 checked

Cooling

  • Look out for: 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.

    Ask them to check: 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.

Bodywork

  • Look out for: From about 105 km/h a plastic flutter or rattle is heard at the front; at lower speeds it does not sound.

    Ask them to check: 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.

High-voltage battery

  • Look out for: 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.

    Ask them to check: Check the plug-in hybrid campaign by VIN and follow the charging instructions; test the 12 V battery.

Fuel system

  • Look out for: A petrol smell in the engine bay or under the car, engine warning light and, in the worst case, fire under the bonnet.

    Ask them to check: 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.

Engine

  • Look out for: Unexpected engine noises, loss of power or smoke; if the engine breaks, oil or fuel vapour can escape onto hot parts.

    Ask them to check: 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.

Exhaust and emissions

  • Look out for: 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.

    Ask them to check: Ask Ford by VIN whether recall 24E06 is outstanding; check the filter and the regeneration history before the roadworthiness test.

Timing system

  • Look out for: Often with no prior warning: belt debris in the oil, an oil-pressure warning or a broken belt with serious engine damage.

    Ask them to check: 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.

OBD codes worth looking for

If they let you read the fault memory with an OBD reader, these are the codes mentioned in this model's sheets:

P1285P1299

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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